To Every Birth Its Blood

"To Every Birth Its Blood" (1981) by Mongane Wally Serote is a novel that explores the lives of Tsi and Oupa Molope in post-Soweto Uprising South Africa. The narrative delves into the increasing politicization of the Molope family due to their experiences with the police during a time of heightened resistance against apartheid. Serote aims to portray the human vulnerabilities and uncertainties of his characters while illustrating the complexities of making a revolutionary leap. The novel is part of a broader tradition of South African literature that served as a powerful expression of resistance against apartheid throughout the 20th century.12