Nasionaal, transnasionaal of globaal? Identiteitsproblematiek in S.J. Naudé se Die derde spoel

Abstract

In S.J. Naudé’s debut novel, The Third Reel (in Afrikaans published as Die derde spoel), important questions are asked about identity and what it means to belong. The role of nation states and the influence of that these are pertinently highlighted. This novel tells the story of Etienne Nieuwenhuis who left South Africa to live elsewhere – although not permanent – in the world. He can be seen as disappointed since he is not satisfied with the patriarchal system in his country of birth. He sees his father, among other, as representative of the system – and what is expected from young Afrikaner men like himself in South Africa. In this master’s study I investigate if it is possible for the character Etienne to distance himself from his South African citizenship, and if it is at all possible for him to do that. In the novel it is evident that he does not regard himself as a South African. When for instance he is asked where he is from, he indicates that he is from Finland. There is also an investigation into whether Etienne would replace his nationality with that of another country. This study also looked at the influence of Etienne’s past on his identity, and the influence of those whom he gets into contact with, on his identity. Furthermore, it investigates and shows that Etienne’s South African roots are so deep and have such a huge and profound influence on his identity, that it is not possible for him to distance himself from his South African identity. The type of identity that Etienne is having when he is living overseas also gets under the spotlight in this study. That identity can be seen as a transnational identity – an identity that is not limited by origin and where a person is born. Etienne makes it clear when his mom died – after his dad had already died – that he will not return to South Africa. In this study it is evident that Etienne’s parents could be seen as a bridge between him and his country of birth. However, despite the fact that Etienne might never return to South Africa, it is not possible for him to completely distance himself from his South African identity. This although the identity that Etienne is having when he is living overseas, is not the same as that which he had in South Africa.