In what ways does Mathabane’s autobiography Kaffir Boy show how the system of apartheid politics affected South African life?

Paper Question: In what ways does Mathabane’s autobiography Kaffir Boy show how the system of apartheid
politics affected South African life?
In answering this question, you will also need to address these questions:
How was the system of apartheid established in South Africa?
What were the ways that the system of apartheid affected the lives of South Africans (black and white)?
Keep in Mind:
This paper assignment asks you to do the work of a historian. In this paper I am asking you to analyze and interpret
the meaning and significance of a primary source document (Mark Mathabane’s autobiography, Kaffir Boy) based on
your understanding of the context in which the document was created. This requires that you read carefully both the
document itself (the evidence) and the background material in the required reading and video lecture (the context).
This paper must be YOUR original work. You should NOT use any sources to write this paper other than the
ones I have provided. If you want to use a source other than what I have provided, you MUST clear it with me
first by sending me an email at least one day before the paper due date that includes citation information for
the source you want to use.
Content and Format Requirements:
In these papers, I am asking you to create an analytical interpretation of the primary source that you examine. Your
paper should:
• have a clearly articulated thesis/argument statement
• answer the question(s) completely
• explain your answer by using examples from the primary sources (the evidence) and the background
material (the context) in the assigned reading.
There is no single way to write your paper, but here is one suggested approach for how to organize your paper:
Introduction: This first section of your paper should introduce the source (Mathabane’s autobiography) and state
your main thesis/argument. Your thesis should be a concise answer to the paper question above.
Historical Context: This section of the paper should address the historical context of Mathabane’s autobiography by
explaining how the system of apartheid was established in South Africa. What policies were part of the system?
Document Description/Historical Significance: This section of the paper should explain your thesis by drawing on
evidence from the primary source and the background material. You will want to address how Mathabane’s
autobiography shows its reader how the system of apartheid affected life in South Africa.
Conclusion: This last paragraph should restate your thesis (preferably not in the exact same words) and pull together
the main points of your paper.
Remember, you will want to draw on evidence (examples) from the primary source and the background material in
order to effectively support the argument you make in your paper.
Make sure to look at the document titled “Kaffir Boy Paper Evaluation Rubric” (posted in the Content area of
the course website under PAPER 2) for information on how your paper will be evaluated.
Format:
• Typed, double-spaced, using 12-point font and 1-inch margins
• A minimum of 1,000 words (approximately 3 to 4 pages)
• Any quotation or source information used in the paper MUST be cited using footnotes or endnotes
using Chicago Manual of Style guidelines (see below). Please DO NOT use parenthetical references.
• All papers should have a title and your name should be at the top of the first page or on a title page.
• Papers should include a bibliography page listing all sources cited. Use the Chicago Manual of Style guidelines
for the bibliography as well.