TONGKLAP!

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HONOURS PROJECT

For my honours degree I completed a theoretical study (thesis) and a practical component .

I explored comics as a visual and literary source that can be used to address issues of gender within the Afrikaner identity.

A BRIEF CONTEXTUALISATION

In my study, TONGKLAP: A counter-narrative to the volksmoeder ideal in contemporary Afrikaner femininity, I identify that there are problematic gender ideologies set forth by Afrikaner nationalism that exists currently in Afrikaner culture. These ideologies impose an essentialist femininity (inherited through the volksmoeder symbol) on white Afrikaner women. The volksmoeder ideal subjects women to behave ‘respectably’, be maternal, to find a white Afrikaner husband and to be seen as subordinate to men. By observing how the ideals of the volksmoeder were enforced through visual texts such as women’s magazines it occurs to me that I can challenge this ideology through the same means and therefore offer a counter-narrative through my comic, Tongklap.

COVER, END PAGES AND CONTENTS PAGE.

In Tongklap, I specifically examine and critique the ideals of the volksmoeder and the implications for women currently. I created eight anthology comics and single illustrations by reflecting on my own experiences as an Afrikaner woman within the Afrikaner community.

In my comics, I address certain patriarchal ideals that are still being enforced and also confront and oppose ordentlik (respectable) ‘feminine’ ideals such as:

• The authority of a woman as subordinate to a male.

• Motherhood is a natural ‘choice’ and that nurturing qualities are essential to women.

• Women are responsible for the image of the community.

• Women should be religious which instructs them to protect their 'purity'.

• Women should be presented in a ‘fraai’ and/or ‘sublime’ way that makes you attractive but also ‘respectable’ to maintain a certain ‘morale’.

TITLE PAGE AND COMICS.

CENTERFOLD

The centerfold functions as a removable double sided poster/comic spread.

FRONT AND BACK OF CENTERFOLD.

In addition to the comic book, I also created 3 promotional posters and 'pocket comics'. The pocket comics contain excerpts from the comic book and serve as a way for the public to carry a small piece of Tongklap with them.

As a counter-narrative to the volksmoeder ideology, the purpose of Tongklap is to encourage other Afrikaner women to reflect on their experiences as well and provide them with a sense of agency of their identity as a contemporary Afrikaner.