Marguerite Poland is a South African author whose work is known and loved by many. Samantha McGregor shares with us a little of this famous figure's life and history, as well as what Poland's writing has meant to her.

Inspiration is a personal experience. What inspires you does not necessarily inspire the next person. For as long as I can remember, words have been a source of emotion and inspiration for me. There have been a few important South African stories that have educated and shaped my opinions. The novel Shades, by Marguerite Poland, is among them.

Marguerite is a well established South African authoress and provides inspiration to aspiring South African writers. She was born in Gauteng on 3 April 1950, but spent her formative years in the Eastern Cape. Poland graduated from Rhodes, Stellenbosch and the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal with degrees in Xhosa and Social Anthropology, as well as an Honours degree in Comparative African Languages and an MA in Zulu Literature. Marguerite’s fluency in Xhosa and isiZulu show her passion for languages and make her stories unique. The predominant African influence drew me to her work.

The understanding of African culture and tradition is conveyed throughout her pieces. Her appreciation for South African landscapes and people is ever-present and vividly expressed. It is so important for us as South Africans to be exposed to stories such as these, as they expose cultural rituals and create a space for understanding. With this understanding comes tolerance, and that is something we desperately need to find today.

Poland is an avid researcher, and when she puts pen to paper it comes from an aware and informed position. Her time as a social worker in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal is evident in her work. Marguerite also worked as a columnist for the Mercury, and as an ethnologist at the South African Museum in Cape Town. These positions aided her in researching the landscapes in which her stories are set.

Marguerite informs her reader through the attention to detail in her stories. Her work is fictional but it refers to historical and socio-political issues in South Africa. The depth of research is important in terms of portraying cultures correctly; considering we are a rainbow nation it is no easy task, but her research accurately reflects these groups.

Marguerite’s work consists of novels & non-fiction: Train to Doringbult, The Bodley Head (shortlisted for the CNA Award), Shades (Viking/Penguin) (shortlisted for the M-Net Award), Iron Love (Viking/Penguin), The Abundant Herds (Fernwood Press) and most recently Recessional for Grace (Viking/Penguin). She has also written 11 children’s books, including: The Mantis and the Moon (Ravan) (Percy Fitzpatrick Award 1979), The Woodash Stars (David Philip) (Percy Fitzpatrick Award 1983), Once at KwaFubesi (Ravan) and The Shadow of the Wild Hare (David Philip).

Marguerite Poland’s presence is undeniable. Her list of achievements only underlines the fact that she is a talented novelist. We should be proud of this South African woman and her influence on the world of South African literature.

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