Staffrider
Encyclopedia
Staffrider was a South African literary magazine.
Staffrider was first published in 1977, and took its name from slang for people hanging outside or on the roof of overcrowded, racially segregated trains.
It was one of the most important literary presences of the 1970's and 1980's, aiming to be popular rather than elite was consciously non-racial in the segregated apartheid era.
Borrowing its name and image from township slang for black youth who rode the over-crowded African sections of the racially segregated commuter trains by hanging onto the outside or sitting on the roofs, Staffrider had two main objectives: to provide publishing opportunities for community-based organizations and young writers, graphic artists and photographers; and to oppose officially sanctioned state and establishment culture.
Produced by the same Durban
"moment" that saw Steve Biko begin the South African Students' Organisation
, Staffrider had a view of literature with a small "I": it's base was popular rather than elite and it sought to provide an autobiography of experience in its witness of daily black life in South Africa
. The magazine's nonracial policy and choice of English as a non-ethnic mode of communication attracted a cross-section of writers, artists and other contributors to the magazine. Debates around Staffrider's "self-editing" editorial policy were ongoing and the magazine eventually adopted quality control measures under the editorship of Chris van Wyk. But the magazine's early flexibility ensured that the work of previously unpublished writers and artists appeared alongside that of many South African notables including Nadine Gordimer
, Lionel Abrahams
, Rose Zwi
, and Mtutuzeli Matshoba.
Staffrider was first published in 1977, and took its name from slang for people hanging outside or on the roof of overcrowded, racially segregated trains.
It was one of the most important literary presences of the 1970's and 1980's, aiming to be popular rather than elite was consciously non-racial in the segregated apartheid era.
Borrowing its name and image from township slang for black youth who rode the over-crowded African sections of the racially segregated commuter trains by hanging onto the outside or sitting on the roofs, Staffrider had two main objectives: to provide publishing opportunities for community-based organizations and young writers, graphic artists and photographers; and to oppose officially sanctioned state and establishment culture.
Produced by the same 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...
"moment" that saw Steve Biko begin the South African Students' Organisation
South African Students' Organisation
The South African Students' Organisation was a body of South African students who resisted apartheid through political action. The organization was formed in 1968, spearheaded by Steve Biko, and played a major role in the Black Consciousness Movement....
, Staffrider had a view of literature with a small "I": it's base was popular rather than elite and it sought to provide an autobiography of experience in its witness of daily black life in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. The magazine's nonracial policy and choice of English as a non-ethnic mode of communication attracted a cross-section of writers, artists and other contributors to the magazine. Debates around Staffrider's "self-editing" editorial policy were ongoing and the magazine eventually adopted quality control measures under the editorship of Chris van Wyk. But the magazine's early flexibility ensured that the work of previously unpublished writers and artists appeared alongside that of many South African notables including Nadine Gordimer
Nadine Gordimer
Nadine Gordimer is a South African writer and political activist. She was awarded the 1991 Nobel Prize in Literature when she was recognised as a woman "who through her magnificent epic writing has – in the words of Alfred Nobel – been of very great benefit to humanity".Her writing has long dealt...
, Lionel Abrahams
Lionel Abrahams
Lionel Abrahams was a South African novelist, poet, editor, critic, essayist and publisher. He was born in Johannesburg, where he lived his entire life...
, Rose Zwi
Rose Zwi
Rose Zwi is a South African writer best known for her work about the immigrants in that country. Born in Oaxaca, Mexico, to Jewish refugees from Lithuania, her family moved to South Africa when she was a young girl...
, and Mtutuzeli Matshoba.
Sources
- Ten Years of Staffrider, Oliphant, A. and Vladislavic, I. (eds.), Raven Press: Johannesburg, 1988.
- Oliphant, Andries. Staffrider Magazine and Popular History: The Opportunities and Challenges of Personal Testimony. Temple University Press: Johannesburg, 1991.
- Gardiner, Michael. South African Literary Magazines, 1956-1978. Warren Siebrits Modern and Contemporary Art: Johannesburg, 2004.
- Rose Zwi in conversation with Mothobi Mutloatse Interview conducted 09-09-2006.
- Gwala, Mafika. Writing as a Cultural Weapon in Momentum, Margaret Daymond, Johan Jacobs, and Margaret Lenta (eds.). University of Natal Press: Pietermaritzburg, 1985. 37-53.
- Manganyi, Chabani N. Looking Through the Keyhole. Ravan Press: Johannesburg, 1981
- Mutloatse, Mothobi. Forced Landing. Ravan Press: Johannesburg, 1980.
- Ndebele, Njabulo. Rediscovery of the Ordinary. Congress of South African Writers: Johannesburg, 1991.
- Newell, Stephanie. Readings in African Popular Fiction. Indiana University Press: Bloomington, 2002.