DEPARTMENT
OF
LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE
RESEARCH FOCUS 2005-2007
Research Focus:
Identity and Marginality
(specifically in South African literature, related to cultural
identity)
Strategic importance of our research:
To contribute to the transformation and
development of our communities, and to offer insight
into the complex South African socio-political realities
1a) San & Khoi oral tradition
in SA Lit (VVuuren & John)
1b) San & Khoi orality at the interface
with South African literature (Van Vuuren, John).
2. Xhosa oral tradition, praise poetry, and its
syncretic nature (Somniso)
3. Whiteness as a continued hegemonic force in post-apartheid
writing, and how such hegemony operates (West)
4. Afrikaans, isiXhosa and South African English linguistic & literary
texts which express marginalization, or address and reflect social
conflicts in society
Research 2005:
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6 accredited articles (Jeffery, John x 2, Koch&Kriel, Maqagi & West)
1 contribution to book (Van Vuuren)
1 D.Litt. theses & 5 MA dissertations
2 international conference papers (Kwatsha) & 1
national conference paper (Van Vuuren)
26 book reviews (academic based) (John & Van Vuuren)
NRF grant (2005-2007): Dr PH John (research
associate)
Thuthuka grant (2005-2008): Dr S Goddard
Dept of Arts & Culture award for drama: Prof BB Mkonto
RESEARCH CONTEXT & HISTORY
2005-2007
RESEARCH 2006
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9 accredited articles (John x 3, VVuuren x 2, Kriel, Kwatsha, West,
Malan & VVuuren)
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3 contributions to books (Mkonto, Kriel & VVuuren x2)
3 D.Litt. theses & 6 MA dissertations
1 international conference paper (VVuuren), 6 national
conference papers (Mkonto, Krielx2,VVuuren, Somniso,
9 international lectures (VVuuren)
20 book reviews (based on academic research)
(VVuuren & John)
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NRF grant (2005-2007): Dr PH John (research
associate)
Thuthuka grant (2005-2008): Dr S Goddard
Award Dept Arts & Culture: Prof BBMkonto
West) &
Dr West (D.Litt) & Ms Botha (MA, cum laude) – graduated 2006,
with supervisors Dr K Goddard & Prof v Vuuren
RESEARCH 2007
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11 accredited articles (Botha&VVuuren x4, Kwatsha, Smith,
Somniso, Kwatsha, VVuuren, VdSpuy&VVuuren, West&VVuuren)
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3 contributions to books (Mkonto, Kriel, & VVuuren x2)
4 D.Litt. theses & 5 MA dissertations
1 international conference paper (S Goddard), 5 national
conference papers (Mqagi, Kwatsha x 2, Somniso, S
Smith)
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9 book reviews (based on academic research) (VVuuren
& John)
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NRF grant (2005-2007): Dr PH John (research
associate)
Thuthuka grant (2005-2008): Dr S Goddard
Postgraduate students & lecturers,
National English Museum, Grahamstown, 2007
Outstanding aspects of research (a)
• Increase in outputs:
2005: 6 accredited articles & 1 contribution to a book
2006: 9 accredited articles & 3 contributuions to books
2007: 11 accredited articles & 1 forthcoming book (March 2008)
• NRF rating
2002-2007: Two rated NRF human scientists – Dr John & Prof
van Vuuren
2008- 2013 One rated NRF human scientist – Prof van Vuuren (
Dr John did not apply again)
• Thuthuka award
2005-2007: Ms (now Dr) S Goddard
• Faculty of Arts Researcher of 2007: Prof van Vuuren
• Increase in Successful Postgraduate Candidates Throughput
• Increase in high quality research: (Dr West’s thesis accepted for
publication, Ford foundation bursary to Ms M Botha for best MA dissertation
in Human Sciences at NMMU)
Outstanding aspects of research (b)
• Interdisciplinary in nature, across
languages, and across disciplines
• Comparative literary framework
• Texts read within cultural and sociopolitical context
• Rethinking South African Literature =
re-evaluation of the canon, including
orality
• Literary theory formation
Research collaboration
• Departmental research collaboration:
• Developing younger researchers & “growing our own
timber” through targeted co-publication of M & D results (D.Litt:
West & Vd Spuy, MA: Botha, Malan)
• Focusing on South African literature as area of expertise,
rather than disparate research topics for postgraduates &
established researchers.
• International research collaboration:
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University of Hasselt (Belgium) – Prof Luc Renders
University of Amsterdam – Prof Ena Jansen
University of Leiden – Dr Gitte Postel
Prof Tony Voss – emeritus professor (UKZN)
Institutional & Community involvement
• Honorary doctorates linked to the department:
– Dr Athol Fugard, dramatist
– Dr Antjie Krog, poet (2007)
• Staff serving on national prestigious committees
– SA Academy for Science and Arts (Literature Commission : Prof
VVuuren & Language Commission: Prof Otto)
– Eastern Cape Arts & Culture Council (Prof Mkonto)
– English National Language Body (Mrs Maqagi)
Antjie Krog, honorary D.Litt. NMMU 2007
Research Associates
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Dr PH John (2001-): Afr & Dutch
Prof Luc Renders (2006-): Afr & Dutch
Prof AE Voss (2007- ): English
Prof SE Koch (2007- ): ABLE Project leader
Dr Gitte Postel (2008-): Afr & Dutch
Prof C Jeffery (2003- ): English
Dr BE Lewis (1997- ): Classical Culture
(now
connected to French)