The South African Question

Name: The South African Question
Author: Olive Schreiner

By Olive Schreiner

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About This Book

The essay surveys debates over the prospect of war in South Africa, contrasting perspectives from working-class returnees, journalists, and local Dutch and English residents. It foregrounds the distinctive position of those born in South Africa who retain strong ties to England, urging them to speak and act to prevent policies that sacrifice local welfare for mineral and imperial interests. The author criticizes calls for conflict, highlights treaty violations and likely human suffering, and advocates for measured engagement grounded in loyalty to both lands, a commitment to justice, and the avoidance of needless violence.

About the Author

Olive Schreiner

Olive Schreiner (1855-1920) was a South African author and social critic, known for her pioneering contributions to literature and feminist thought. Her most notable work, "The Story of an African Farm," is celebrated for its innovative narrative style and exploration of complex themes such as gender and colonialism. Schreiner's writings often reflect her deep engagement with social issues, particularly those affecting women and the indigenous populations of South Africa. In addition to her fiction, she wrote essays and critiques, including "Woman and Labour" and "Thoughts on South Africa," which further established her as a significant voice in the discourse on social justice and equality.