CHILDREN OF IRON: RESISTANCE AGAINST APARTHEID IN JOHN MAXWELL COETZEE'S AGE OF IRON

Abstract

South African countries were dominated by the European powers under the system of Colonialism and Apartheid. They separated the native people in terms of race under which their rights were severely limited. The white people created an identity that they belong to the superior race and the native people belong to the lower strata of the society. They were segregated in terms of their skin colour. They also created an opinion that the native people are savages and a white man's duty is to correct them, so they imposed violence and inhumane practices to subdue them. The colonisers exploited them and forced the native people to attend separate schools and hospitals. In their homeland these native people were treated like slaves. The brutality of apartheid was very severe so that people fought with strong determination to obtain independence. Even small children involved themselves in the independence struggle. Due to the efforts taken by the leaders South Africa regained its freedom.