Mandisa’s Character: An Essay

Mandisa’s character: an essay

Mandisa, a woman, a mother, a worker, is as thoughtful and opinionated as a parrot. She is not only a confident talker but also a dedicated worker, defined by her respect for her job. She is a hard worker, indeed. In support of this, is her busy life. Working when she should and when she shouldn’t, Mandisa is surely a worker bee.

She is not only portrayed as a hardworking woman but also as a mother. She, just like any other ‘good mother’, has eternal love for her children. This is shown by her unbiased concern for Mxolisi’s safety when he was absent from the house on one of the days. She is also shown as strict, and as a woman who knows her children like she knows herself. As a concerned and loving mother she is shown.

“My son killed your daughter.” She is introduced as saying. Here, she addresses the mother of the girl whose fate was sealed in Gugulethu. She is sincerely apologetic and sympathetic for the tragedy caused to the girl’s family, but she is just as confused. She is shown as an honest mother with honest feelings and honest questions. This is an indicator of her sense of understanding and humanity, not just as a mother but as an individual being.

As a place with dust, she describes Gugulethu. This shows an attitude of disapproval or rather resentment for the place. She describes the unhealthy living conditions, the disorder and chaos extensively, this shows her lack of appreciation for the place. She is more proud of ‘Blouvlei’. A place she dares call home. This suggests that it is an area in which she comfortably lived and one of which she is very fond.

Over and above all that can be said, Mandisa is caring and loving as a mother. Dedicated as a worker. Confident as a talker. Considerate as a woman. Understanding as a person and rather clueless and ashamed as a ‘Gugulethan’.

Characterization