Unmasking racial struggles in postcolonial South Africa in Peter Mtuze’s "The Way to Madam" through postcolonial literary theory

This article aims to unmask racial struggles in postcolonial South Africa relying on Peter Mtuze’s The Way to Madam (2004). To achieve this aim, postcolonial literary theory is applied to the discussions. This article reveals covert dimensions of racial struggles in South Africa that go far beyond the cosmetic level of this short story. Research interest is directed at specific expressions the characters use with references to historical and contemporary lexical contexts. The analysis confirms that while colonialism and apartheid officially ended in 1994 with the establishment of a democratic government in South Africa, their enduring effects continue to configure the intellectual, social, economic, and political terrain of the country. Racial struggles with roots dating back to colonialism and apartheid in South Africa are multifaceted and profoundly interwoven in various dimensions of society. Addressing these challenges requires ongoing multi-collaborative efforts in policy reform, social transformation, and a commitment to building a more just society.