Journey of identity and contradictions
ASHTI Juggath, who grew up in Verulam and is a pharmacist in Johannesburg, recently clinched the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) award for the best emerging author, for her debut novel, Peaches and Smeets.
Sponsored by the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, the HSS Awards spotlight outstanding contributions from higher education institutions within the humanities and social sciences domain.
The novel offers the younger generation, especially, valuable insights into the past, into Hindu traditions and practices in South Africa, and into the struggle for emancipation of women from past generations.
“South Africa has such a rich and diverse population but the history of minorities is not very well known. The Indian diaspora is quite vast globally. In each country, this community has its own unique experiences, while trying to preserve its culture, religion and beliefs,” said Juggath.
“Ultimately, there is a thread of commonality that links all descendants to the Motherland, and this novel gives some insight into the lives, traditions and practices of some of the Indian immigrants to South Africa.”
Acclaimed author Shubnum Khan lauded the novel, describing it as “a tender exploration into the beating heart of a community that endured through culture and sacrifice, with such detailed
references to life in the 1960s for Indians in Johannesburg and Durban”.
Peaches and Smeets delves into the life of Smita (Smeets) Maharaj, a South African Indian girl growing up in Bakerton, Springs, during the 1950s and 1960s.
Smita finds herself grappling with the perplexities of adult behaviour – from her father’s deference to the police to the racial segregation on train carriages. She questions societal norms, including her mother's prioritisation of domestic skills over education.
Set against the backdrop of a small, insular community, Smita’s journey is marked by trials and moments of joy. As the eldest daughter, she shoulders the responsibility of caring for her younger siblings, often in lieu of her ailing mother.
The absence of maternal affection, exacerbated by her mother’s longing for a son, leaves a void eventually filled by Smita’s paternal grandmother, who shares tales of her Indian heritage and migration to South Africa. Unbeknown to Smita, her grandmother harbours a deep, shameful secret.
Caught amid the clash of tradition and modernity, family ties and societal upheaval, Smita navigates the complexities of apartheid-era South Africa. She grapples with the contradictions inherent in her identity – torn between her Indian roots and the rapidly evolving landscape of her homeland.
Peaches and Smeets, published by Modjaji Books, offers a poignant reflection on the struggle for identity and belonging in a world rife with contradictions.
Available at bookshops, Made in Durban (www.madeindurban.co.za) and the Modjaji website, this novel promises a captivating journey through the tumultuous yet resilient spirit of South Africa’s Indian community.