A Bantu In My Bathroom

In this first book by the radio host Eusebius McKaiser, questions of race, sexuality and culture are discussed in a personal way, full of anecdotes. The essays are thought provoking and genuine and even though I don’t agree with all McKaiser’s opinions, he is very good at making his point. I think every South African should read it. 

One of the subjects in the chapter on culture for example is why South Africans desperately cling to the idea of a rainbow nation. The author states that the image of a rainbow nation is nice, but that in reality South Africa is a divided nation. He describes the opinions of the listeners in ‘a bantu in my bathroom’. Can a white lady who is looking for a housemate, stipulate in the ad that she only wants a white person? 

McKaiser argues how divided South Africans are, spatially, linguistically and culturally. Everyone lives around each other instead of with each other. ‘It is still self-deception to think we are integrating’. If people don’t speak the same language, he argues, it is more difficult to bridge the divide. He makes a case that instead of forcing a rainbow nation, South Africans should accept that they are divided and they should allow disagreements. Highly recommended. 

Pauline Vijverberg
4/5

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