Mark Mathabane's Kaffir Boy

In Mark Mathabane’s autobiography, Kaffir Boy, he recalls his childhood and what made him who he is now, an author, lecturer, former collegiate tennis player, and a college professor. In 1960, Mathabane was born in Alexandra, South Africa. He was born into poverty and it seemed that he didn’t have a future. However, he worked through poverty and became a best selling author. Mathabane grew up in the ghetto streets of South Africa. He grew up witnessing violence and had suffered malnutrition and poverty. He also looked up to the boys in the street and wanted to be like them. When he was only six, he joined his first gang. As a child, Mark Mathabanee once thought that life meant suffering and pain, there was no use in living. With this outlook in life, he led a hopless life.Watching his father being

His mother worked hard to get the papers and money needed in order for Mathabane to enter school. One morning, Mark Mathabane was dragged to school by his mother. On his way, he met a women who stirred his mind with her story of her dead son. The women’s son had joined a gang and he was killed because of it. She regretted not sending his child to school. After hearing the story, Mathabane was confused, because he wasn’t sure of he should go to school or not. After being enrolled into the school, his father was furious when he found out. His father beat his mother and disapproved of Mathabane’s education. However, Mathabane’s decision was made when his mother explained to him the importance education. According to his mother, education would open up a new life for him. She also said she wanted to go to school and learn, but she wasn’t allowed to because she was a women. After his talk with his mother, he thought he didn’t want to live like his father, so he committed himself to education. Another motivation for Mathabane was when he saw his father was arrested because being unemployed was a