My Name” by Magoleng wa Selepe: Questions and Answers

Exploring “My Name” by Magoleng wa Selepe Questions and Answers

The Poem: My Name” by Magoleng wa Selepe

Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa

Look what they have done to my name …
the wonderful name of my great-great-grandmothers
Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa

The burly bureaucrat was surprised.
What he heard was music to his ears
‘Wat is daai, sê nou weer?’
‘I am from Chief Daluxolo Velayigodle of emaMpodweni
And my name is Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa.’

Messiah, help me!
My name is so simple
and yet so meaningful,
but to this man it is trash…

He gives me a name
Convenient enough to answer his whim: 15 I end up being
Maria …
I …

The Poem Overview:

“My Name” by Magoleng wa Selepe is a poignant reflection on identity and cultural erasure. The poem, written from the perspective of a woman with a traditional Xhosa name, highlights the challenges she faces when her name is deemed too difficult to pronounce by a bureaucrat. The narrator’s name, “Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa,” is a significant part of her heritage, symbolizing her connection to her ancestors. However, it is dismissed and replaced with the name “Maria,” which is more convenient for the bureaucrat.

The poem uses three languages: Xhosa for the narrator’s name, Afrikaans for the bureaucrat’s response, and English for the narrator’s internal dialogue and responses. This linguistic diversity underscores the cultural tensions and the impact of colonialism and apartheid on African identity.

Analysis:

1. Cultural Significance and Erasure: The poem emphasizes the importance of names as carriers of cultural heritage and personal identity. The bureaucrat’s casual dismissal of Nomgqibelo’s name represents a broader pattern of cultural erasure experienced by Africans under colonial rule and apartheid, where European names were imposed on them in schools, workplaces, and official documents.
2. Language and Power Dynamics: The use of Afrikaans by the bureaucrat, juxtaposed with the narrator’s use of English, highlights the power dynamics at play. During apartheid, Afrikaans was associated with the oppressive government, and many black South Africans resisted its use. The narrator’s choice to reply in English rather than Afrikaans can be seen as an act of resistance against the imposed language of the oppressor.
3. Emotional Impact: The poem conveys a deep sense of loss and frustration. The narrator’s lament—”My name is so simple / and yet so meaningful”—captures the emotional weight of having one’s identity reduced to something “trash” in the eyes of another. The invocation of “Messiah, help me!” expresses a cry for help and recognition of the spiritual and emotional burden of this cultural diminishment.

Historical Context:

The poem was first published in 1979, a time when apartheid policies were strictly enforced in South Africa. These policies mandated the use of European names for Africans, stripping them of their cultural identities in official settings. This systemic practice was part of a broader effort to suppress African languages and cultures, further entrenching racial hierarchies.

Conclusion:

“My Name” by Magoleng wa Selepe is a powerful commentary on the effects of cultural erasure and the struggle to maintain personal and cultural identity in the face of systemic oppression. The poem’s use of multiple languages, its depiction of bureaucratic indifference, and its emotional depth make it a significant work in South African literature, highlighting the ongoing impact of apartheid on individual and collective identities.

For further reading and a deeper dive into the poem’s themes and context, you can visit the original source here.

Questions and answers

State TWO reasons why the speaker is very proud of her name.

The speaker is proud of her name for its cultural and ancestral significance. Firstly, her name, “Nomgqibelo Ncamisile Mnqhibisa,” is a direct link to her heritage and honors her great-great-grandmothers, symbolizing her deep connection to her ancestry. Secondly, the name carries intrinsic meaning and identity, representing her history and cultural roots, which she values and respects deeply.

Refer to line 2 (‘Look what they have done to my name …’). What feeling does the speaker express in this line?

In this line, the speaker expresses a feeling of disappointment and frustration. She is dismayed at how her name, which she treasures, has been disregarded and distorted by the bureaucratic system, reflecting a broader disrespect for her cultural identity.

What does the word ‘burly’ (line 5) suggest about the bureaucrat?

The word ‘burly’ suggests that the bureaucrat is physically large and imposing, possibly with an intimidating presence. This description may also imply a certain insensitivity or lack of refinement in his manner, aligning with his dismissive attitude towards the speaker’s name.

Refer to line 6 (‘What he heard was music to his ears’). Does the reference to music suggest that the bureaucrat appreciates the speaker’s name? Give a reason for your answer.

No, the reference to music does not suggest that the bureaucrat appreciates the speaker’s name. Instead, it implies that he finds it amusing or peculiar, treating it as a curiosity rather than showing genuine appreciation. The bureaucrat’s reaction is not one of respect but rather one of amusement or condescension towards the unfamiliarity of the name.

Where does the speaker come from?

The speaker comes from Chief Daluxolo Velayigodle of emaMpodweni, which indicates her specific cultural and regional background.

Refer to line 10 (‘Messiah, help me’). What does the use of the word ‘Messiah’ suggest about the speaker?

The use of the word ‘Messiah’ suggests that the speaker feels helpless and in need of divine intervention. It indicates her desperation and possibly her Christian faith, as she calls upon a higher power for assistance in a situation where she feels powerless.

Identify the figure of speech used in line 13, (‘but to this man it is trash …’).

The figure of speech used in this line is metaphor. The speaker metaphorically describes how the bureaucrat perceives her name, equating his lack of respect for it to treating it as “trash,” something worthless or insignificant.

Explain why the bureaucrat changes the speaker’s name to Maria.

The bureaucrat changes the speaker’s name to “Maria” because it is more familiar and easier for him to pronounce and remember. This action reflects a broader colonial and bureaucratic tendency to simplify or alter African names for convenience, often disregarding the cultural significance of the original names.

Choose ONE word that emphasizes how the speaker feels about her name.

The word “wonderful” emphasizes how the speaker feels about her name. She considers her name to be beautiful and significant, a symbol of her cultural heritage and identity.

What does this poem suggest about the bureaucrat’s political beliefs?

The poem suggests that the bureaucrat holds colonial and possibly racist beliefs, as evidenced by his disregard for the speaker’s traditional name and the ease with which he imposes a Western name upon her. This reflects a broader systemic issue where African identities and names are undervalued or erased, indicating a lack of respect for African cultures and a preference for European norms.

Refer to lines 16–18 (I end up being Maria …). Discuss the effect created by the use of very short lines at this point in the poem.

The use of very short lines at this point in the poem emphasizes the abruptness and finality of the speaker’s identity being replaced. This structural choice highlights the reduction of her complex identity to a single, simple name that erases her cultural heritage. It conveys a sense of loss and diminishment, underscoring the impact of the bureaucrat’s actions on the speaker’s sense of self. The abruptness also reflects the bureaucratic process’s cold efficiency and indifference to personal identity.