History from the Outside: Of La Guma's Dialogics, 'Coloredism' and other Shenanigans
There seems to be a proliferation of book length studies on Alex La Guma's writing lately and, curiously, most of these studies are written by scholars abroad. So far the only book length study written by a South African is Alex La Guma by Cecil Abrahams (1985)1. Coincidentally, even Abrahams wrote his book while abroad. Of course, one of the reasons for this lack of studies on La Guma's oeuvre within the country, it could be said, is the fact that La Guma's works have, until fairly recently, been banned. The result was that access to his works was extremely difficult if not impossible.
This article sets out to determine whether White missionaries of Western-orientated churches still have a role to play in developing territories, and more specifically if there is still a place for them in the Bantu Homelands of South Africa now progressing towards sovereign political status. Is the localization of mission hospitals in the Homelands inevitable - and if so, with what speed and abruptness is this likely to occur? What future is there in the Homelands for the White staff currently at mission hospitals in the Homelands - and if there is a future, will it be a worthwhile and rewarding future? Is it still justified to recruit dedicated young people for careers in a mission hospital - or should they start looking now for alternative outlets in which to fulfil their calling and desire to serve? These and similar questions are being asked as the Homelands move rapidly towards independence.