1. DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE

2. RESEARCH FOCUS 2005-2007 Research Focus: Identity and Marginality (specifically in South African literature, related to cultural identity) Strategic importance of our research: To contribute to the transformation and development of our communities, and to offer insight into the complex South African socio-political realities

3. 1a) San & Khoi oral tradition in SA Lit ( VVuuren & John )

4. 1b) San & Khoi orality at the interface with South African literature ( Van Vuuren, John).

5. 2. Xhosa oral tradition, praise poetry, and its syncretic nature (Somniso)

6. 3. Whiteness as a continued hegemonic force in post-apartheid writing, and how such hegemony operates (West)

7. 4. Afrikaans, isiXhosa and South African English linguistic & literary texts which express marginalization, or address and reflect social conflicts in society

8. Research 2005: 6 accredited articles ( Jeffery, John x 2, Koch&Kriel, Maqagi & West) 1 contribution to book ( Van Vuuren ) 1 D.Litt. theses & 5 MA dissertations 2 international conference papers ( Kwatsha) & 1 national conference paper ( Van Vuuren) 26 book reviews (academic based) ( John & Van Vuuren) NRF grant (2005-2007): Dr PH John ( research associate) Thuthuka grant (2005-2008): Dr S Goddard Dept of Arts & Culture award for drama: Prof BB Mkonto

9. RESEARCH CONTEXT & HISTORY 2005-2007

11. RESEARCH 2006 9 accredited articles (John x 3, VVuuren x 2, Kriel, Kwatsha, West, Malan & VVuuren) 3 contributions to books (Mkonto, Kriel & VVuuren x2) 3 D.Litt. theses & 6 MA dissertations 1 international conference paper (VVuuren), 6 national conference papers (Mkonto, Krielx2,VVuuren, Somniso, West) & 9 international lectures (VVuuren) 20 book reviews (based on academic research) (VVuuren & John) NRF grant (2005-2007): Dr PH John (research associate) Thuthuka grant (2005-2008): Dr S Goddard Award Dept Arts & Culture: Prof BBMkonto

12. Dr West (D.Litt) & Ms Botha (MA, cum laude) – graduated 2006, with supervisors Dr K Goddard & Prof v Vuuren

13. RESEARCH 2007 11 accredited articles (Botha&VVuuren x4, Kwatsha, Smith, Somniso, Kwatsha, VVuuren, VdSpuy&VVuuren, West&VVuuren) 3 contributions to books (Mkonto, Kriel, & VVuuren x2) 4 D.Litt. theses & 5 MA dissertations 1 international conference paper (S Goddard), 5 national conference papers (Mqagi, Kwatsha x 2, Somniso, S Smith) 9 book reviews (based on academic research) (VVuuren & John) NRF grant (2005-2007): Dr PH John (research associate) Thuthuka grant (2005-2008): Dr S Goddard

14. Postgraduate students & lecturers, National English Museum, Grahamstown, 2007

15. Outstanding aspects of research (a) Increase in outputs: 2005: 6 accredited articles & 1 contribution to a book 2006: 9 accredited articles & 3 contributuions to books 2007: 11 accredited articles & 1 forthcoming book (March 2008) NRF rating 2002-2007: Two rated NRF human scientists – Dr John & Prof van Vuuren 2008- 2013 One rated NRF human scientist – Prof van Vuuren ( Dr John did not apply again) Thuthuka award 2005-2007: Ms (now Dr) S Goddard Faculty of Arts Researcher of 2007: Prof van Vuuren Increase in Successful Postgraduate Candidates Throughput Increase in high quality research: (Dr West’s thesis accepted for publication, Ford foundation bursary to Ms M Botha for best MA dissertation in Human Sciences at NMMU)

16. Outstanding aspects of research (b) Interdisciplinary in nature, across languages, and across disciplines Comparative literary framework Texts read within cultural and socio- political context Rethinking South African Literature = re-evaluation of the canon, including orality Literary theory formation

17. Research collaboration Departmental research collaboration : Developing younger researchers & “growing our own timber ” through targeted co-publication of M & D results (D.Litt: West & Vd Spuy, MA: Botha, Malan) Focusing on South African literature as area of expertise, rather than disparate research topics for postgraduates & established researchers. International research collaboration: University of Hasselt (Belgium) – Prof Luc Renders University of Amsterdam – Prof Ena Jansen University of Leiden – Dr Gitte Postel Prof Tony Voss – emeritus professor (UKZN)

18. Institutional & Community involvement Honorary doctorates linked to the department: – Dr Athol Fugard, dramatist – Dr Antjie Krog, poet (2007) Staff serving on national prestigious committees – SA Academy for Science and Arts ( Literature Commission : Prof VVuuren & Language Commission: Prof Otto) – Eastern Cape Arts & Culture Council (Prof Mkonto) – English National Language Body (Mrs Maqagi)

19. Antjie Krog, honorary D.Litt. NMMU 2007

20. Research Associates Dr PH John (2001-): Afr & Dutch Prof Luc Renders (2006-): Afr & Dutch Prof AE Voss (2007- ): English Prof SE Koch (2007- ): ABLE Project leader Dr Gitte Postel (2008-): Afr & Dutch Prof C Jeffery (2003- ): English Dr BE Lewis (1997- ): Classical Culture (now connected to French)