There Was This Goat

There Was This Goat investigates the testimony of Mrs. Notrose Nobomvu Konile at South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, following the death of her son. The authors - Krog, Mpolweni and Ratele - document their efforts to understand her seemingly incoherent testimony, which included a puzzling story about a goat. Through interviews, translations, and cultural analysis, the authors work to untangle the complex layers of Mrs. Konile's testimony. The narrative moves between the original TRC transcript, new Xhosa-to-English translations, and the research team's discoveries about rural Eastern Cape life and customs. The book raises questions about truth, translation, and the limits of cross-cultural understanding in post-apartheid South Africa. Through one woman's testimony, it examines the gaps between languages, cultures, and ways of processing trauma - revealing the challenges in achieving true reconciliation.

Readers highlight the book's analysis of language and translation barriers during South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings. Reviews note its focus on Mrs. Notrose Nobomvu Konile's testimony and how cultural/linguistic gaps affected understanding. Readers appreciated: - In-depth examination of cross-cultural communication challenges - The collaborative approach between authors from different backgrounds - Insight into post-apartheid reconciliation complexities Common criticisms: - Dense academic language makes it less accessible - The analysis can feel repetitive - Limited broader context for readers unfamiliar with TRC proceedings Review sources had limited data: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5 ratings) Google Books: No ratings Amazon: No reviews Academic reviewers, like those in the South African Historical Journal, noted its importance for translation studies and oral history methodology but suggested it may be too specialized for general readers.

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🔖 The book's title comes from a Xhosa phrase that caused confusion during translation at South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission hearings, highlighting the complex linguistic and cultural barriers in post-apartheid reconciliation. 🌍 Author Antjie Krog is one of South Africa's most celebrated poets and worked as a radio journalist covering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission from 1996 to 1998. ⚖️ The narrative explores Mrs. Notrose Konile's testimony about her son's death at the hands of police, examining how meaning can be lost or transformed across languages, cultures, and trauma. 🗣️ The book uniquely presents the same testimony in three different translations, demonstrating how each version reveals different aspects of truth and understanding. 📚 Published in 2009, the work combines elements of linguistics, journalism, memoir, and academic research, creating a groundbreaking approach to understanding post-apartheid testimonies.