Terror in the Domestic Space (Playing in the Light) - Dr Aika Swai, University of Cape Town

Dr. Aika Swai from the University of Cape Town delivers an insightful lecture on Playing in the Light by Zoe Wicomb, exploring themes of memory, identity, and racial passing within post-apartheid South Africa. In this video, Dr. Swai delves into Wicomb's complex narrative, where the protagonist, Marion, confronts the painful legacy of her family's decision to "play white" during apartheid. Through a critical lens, Dr. Swai examines how Wicomb uses Marion’s personal journey to interrogate broader societal issues of race, guilt, and reconciliation, making connections to contemporary discourses on national identity and collective memory in South African literature. This lecture offers a deep dive into Wicomb's nuanced portrayal of the emotional and psychological impact of racial passing, inviting viewers to reflect on the lasting scars of apartheid.