Marguerite Poland
Encyclopedia
Marguerite Poland is a South African novelist.
When she was two years old, the Poland family relocated to the Eastern Cape where she spent most of her formative years. After completing her secondary education at St Dominic’s Priory School
in Port Elizabeth, Poland completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Rhodes University
, majoring in Social Anthropology and Xhosa. In 1971, Marguerite Poland completed her honours degree in African languages at Stellenbosch University
. In 1977 she obtained her doctorate degree in Zulu folklore - her field of speciality being cattle - from the University of Natal
. She also has an Honours degree in Comparative African Languages and an MA in Zulu Literature.
Poland also worked as a social worker in Port Elizabeth and in Durban
. In 1997. Poland contributed to a weekly column in the local newspaper, The Mercury. Poland also worked as an ethnologist at the Iziko South African Museum
in Cape Town
.
When she was two years old, the Poland family relocated to the Eastern Cape where she spent most of her formative years. After completing her secondary education at St Dominic’s Priory School
St Dominic’s Priory School
St. Dominic's Priory School is a pre-primary, primary, and secondary private Catholic school in the suburb of Walmer, in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa...
in Port Elizabeth, Poland completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Rhodes University
Rhodes University
Rhodes University is a public research university located in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, established in 1904. It is the province’s oldest university, and is one of the four universities in the province...
, majoring in Social Anthropology and Xhosa. In 1971, Marguerite Poland completed her honours degree in African languages at Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University
Stellenbosch University is a public research university situated in the town of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Other nearby universities are the University of Cape Town and University of the Western Cape....
. In 1977 she obtained her doctorate degree in Zulu folklore - her field of speciality being cattle - from the University of Natal
University of Natal
The University of Natal was a university in Natal, and later KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, that is now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College in Pietermaritzburg, and expanded to include a campus in Durban in 1931. In 1947, the university...
. She also has an Honours degree in Comparative African Languages and an MA in Zulu Literature.
Poland also worked as a social worker in Port Elizabeth and in Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
. In 1997. Poland contributed to a weekly column in the local newspaper, The Mercury. Poland also worked as an ethnologist at the Iziko South African Museum
Iziko South African Museum
The Iziko SA Museum is a South African national museum located in Cape Town. The museum was founded in 1825, the first in the country. It has been on its present site in the Company's Garden since 1897...
in Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
.
Novels
- Train to Doringbult, 1987
- The Bodley Head (shortlisted for the CNA Award)
- ShadesShades (novel)Shades is a historical novel written by Marguerite Poland. The book was first published in 1993 by Penguin books. The novel is supposedly based upon the ancestors of Marguerite Poland and their struggle to survive and cope in the harsh South African environment.- Plot :The plot revolves around a...
, 1993 (shortlisted for the M-Net Award) - Iron Love, 1999
- The Abundant Herds, 2003
- Recessional for Grace, 2003
Children's books
- The Mantis and the Moon,1979 (Percy FitzPatrick AwardPercy FitzPatrick AwardThe Percy FitzPatrick Award, in recognition of author Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, was initiated in 1970 for the best South African children's book in English....
1979) - Nqalu, the Mouse with no Whiskers, 1979
- Die Muis Sonder Snorbaard, 1979
- Once at Kwafubesi, 1981
- Die Bidsprikaan en die Maan, 1981
- The Bush Shrike
- The Woodash Stars, 1983 (Percy FitzPatrick Award 1983)
- As die Boerboonblomme Val, 1983
- Die Vuurkoolsterre, 1983
- Shadow of the Wild Hare
- Once at KwaFubesi, 1982
- The Shadow of the Wild Hare, 1984
- Marcus and the Go-Kart
- Marcus and the Boxing Gloves, 1984