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Forced to Grow
Book by Magona, Sindiwe
232 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1997
5 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
About the author
Sindiwe Magona
61 books87 followersSindiwe Magona is a South African writer.
Magona is a native of the former Transkei region. She grew up in Bouvlei near Cape Town, where she worked as a domestic and completed her secondary education by correspondence. Magona later graduated from the University of South Africa and earned her Masters of Science in Organisational Social Work from Columbia University.
She starred as Singisa in the isiXhosa classic drama Ityala Lamawele.
She worked in various capacities for the United Nations for over 20 years, retiring in 2003.
In the 2013 computer-animated adventure comedy film Khumba she was the voice actor for the character Gemsbok Healer.
She is Writer-in-Residence at the University of the Western Cape and has been a visiting Professor working at Georgia State University.
Magona is a native of the former Transkei region. She grew up in Bouvlei near Cape Town, where she worked as a domestic and completed her secondary education by correspondence. Magona later graduated from the University of South Africa and earned her Masters of Science in Organisational Social Work from Columbia University.
She starred as Singisa in the isiXhosa classic drama Ityala Lamawele.
She worked in various capacities for the United Nations for over 20 years, retiring in 2003.
In the 2013 computer-animated adventure comedy film Khumba she was the voice actor for the character Gemsbok Healer.
She is Writer-in-Residence at the University of the Western Cape and has been a visiting Professor working at Georgia State University.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 20, 2021
Covering the time in her life from 23 to 40, from the lowest point in her life to one of the highest, from being pregnant with her third child, after being pushed out of her job, her husband's parting shot as he abandons them, to inform her employer of his disapproval of her working, to an unexpected job offer with the UN in New York; this second volume of autobiography was hard to put down.
What an inspiration Sindiwe is and what a gift to have witnessed her journey through reading; her perseverance and determination to make something of herself, while trying to raise children in a way to overcome the societally perceived disadvantage of being without the support or presence of the children's father.
She sees the gift inherent in his abandonment, which is an example of how strong her mind is, she rewrites the narrative of her own life and how it will be. An errant husband is one thing, trying to create a career and attain a higher education while living within a system of apartheid and not being recognised as a citizen of your own country is impossible to imagine - we are all the more fortunate to have been given such an insight into this personal and collective struggle and one courageous woman's ability to work through and overcome it, in defiance of what the govt of the time wanted for the local African population.
This volume too is an affirmation of the power and support made possible when women work in partnership, in collaboration, in community for a higher good. The various groups she becomes part of that bring women together from different races, social classes and backgrounds and the facilitated discussions they have, both bring out her natural ability as a facilitator and leader and create a safe place for all them to develop empathy, to know each other, hear differing perspectives, challenge them, look for ways to resolve problems and how to put pressure where things need to change.
It reminds me if Riane Eisler's Nurturing Our Humanity: How Domination and Partnership Shape Our Brains, Lives, and Future, and the pockets of a Partnership System approach to living and being that already exist, that women naturally are capable of creating if given a chance, or are bold enough to go ahead and create these circles anyway.
Oh I wish there was a third volume, I do hope she might be writing one, covering the last 30 years. However I also understand why since her retirement she has been writing children's books, creating a necessary resource for children in her country and around the world, to learn, be entertained and create understanding, hope and belief in the ability for situations to change.
Highly Recommended.
What an inspiration Sindiwe is and what a gift to have witnessed her journey through reading; her perseverance and determination to make something of herself, while trying to raise children in a way to overcome the societally perceived disadvantage of being without the support or presence of the children's father.
She sees the gift inherent in his abandonment, which is an example of how strong her mind is, she rewrites the narrative of her own life and how it will be. An errant husband is one thing, trying to create a career and attain a higher education while living within a system of apartheid and not being recognised as a citizen of your own country is impossible to imagine - we are all the more fortunate to have been given such an insight into this personal and collective struggle and one courageous woman's ability to work through and overcome it, in defiance of what the govt of the time wanted for the local African population.
This volume too is an affirmation of the power and support made possible when women work in partnership, in collaboration, in community for a higher good. The various groups she becomes part of that bring women together from different races, social classes and backgrounds and the facilitated discussions they have, both bring out her natural ability as a facilitator and leader and create a safe place for all them to develop empathy, to know each other, hear differing perspectives, challenge them, look for ways to resolve problems and how to put pressure where things need to change.
It reminds me if Riane Eisler's Nurturing Our Humanity: How Domination and Partnership Shape Our Brains, Lives, and Future, and the pockets of a Partnership System approach to living and being that already exist, that women naturally are capable of creating if given a chance, or are bold enough to go ahead and create these circles anyway.
Oh I wish there was a third volume, I do hope she might be writing one, covering the last 30 years. However I also understand why since her retirement she has been writing children's books, creating a necessary resource for children in her country and around the world, to learn, be entertained and create understanding, hope and belief in the ability for situations to change.
Highly Recommended.
March 17, 2021
An autobiographical account of Sindiwe's early life and the circumstances which "forced her to grow".
The book depicts life in apartheid South Africa. The harshness of the environment on families, young men, young women and their parents alike. A system which robbed the black nation of dignity, a sense of belonging and national pride.
Like any black person living under apartheid and coming of age in the 60's, life was harder because they were black. The pass laws restricted movement, the Group Areas Act prohibited growth beyond the township boundaries. Psychologically this was more damaging to the development of the black man and woman. "If you can't dream it, you can't do it" but the mind is a powerful weapon. It cannot be contained. If it is contained, it breaks free and does what it is intended to do. Transports us to places and experiences beyond our wildest dreams.
This was our book club's selection and I remember reading it at that time and thinking that "I wished that Mama Sindiwe could have padded her account a bit". The storyline held promise. South Africa's apartheid history alone is so explosive and coupled with the author's first-hand experience, this story could have been a sh*#storm. Apartheid was designed to keep people apart but its ripple effect burrowed deep. It created a whole generation of men whom once emasculated, reclaimed their masculinity by being "powerful"at home. Forceful. Abusive. Controlling. Just to reassure themselves that "I've got this..."
The narration was simple with easy enough diction,especially if you are a novice reader. Some of her experiences left me reeling and I often had the "How could she do it?" question. I guess "Hindsight, I think, is a useless tool. We, each of us, are at a place in our lives because of innumerable circumstances, and we, each of us, have a responsibility (if we do not like where we are) to move along life's road, to find a better path if this one does not suit, or to walk happily along this one if it is indeed our life's way. Changing even the bad things that have gone before would fundamentally change who we are, and whether or not that would be a good thing, I believe, it is impossible to predict.
So I take my past experiences... and try to regret nothing".-Drizzt Do'urden, R.A.S
I guess that because "we've lived, we can tell stories like this".
A feel-good story about Mama Sindiwe's determination to be bigger than her circumstances. To arise above all the negativity and be more. In order to be more she had to do more. Sacrificed. Studied. Be more than what her good-for-nothing husband thought. Sacrificed time with her 3 children. Did more to have more.
Mama Sindiwe's life is enriched today. She has moved from worrying about her children to telling stories to her grandchildren. You can only do that when you feel that your stories are good enough to tell. Whether happy or sad. When, at her senior age, she is motivated enough, secure enough and joyful enough to share her life with others.
I am definitely reading more of her...
The book depicts life in apartheid South Africa. The harshness of the environment on families, young men, young women and their parents alike. A system which robbed the black nation of dignity, a sense of belonging and national pride.
Like any black person living under apartheid and coming of age in the 60's, life was harder because they were black. The pass laws restricted movement, the Group Areas Act prohibited growth beyond the township boundaries. Psychologically this was more damaging to the development of the black man and woman. "If you can't dream it, you can't do it" but the mind is a powerful weapon. It cannot be contained. If it is contained, it breaks free and does what it is intended to do. Transports us to places and experiences beyond our wildest dreams.
This was our book club's selection and I remember reading it at that time and thinking that "I wished that Mama Sindiwe could have padded her account a bit". The storyline held promise. South Africa's apartheid history alone is so explosive and coupled with the author's first-hand experience, this story could have been a sh*#storm. Apartheid was designed to keep people apart but its ripple effect burrowed deep. It created a whole generation of men whom once emasculated, reclaimed their masculinity by being "powerful"at home. Forceful. Abusive. Controlling. Just to reassure themselves that "I've got this..."
The narration was simple with easy enough diction,especially if you are a novice reader. Some of her experiences left me reeling and I often had the "How could she do it?" question. I guess "Hindsight, I think, is a useless tool. We, each of us, are at a place in our lives because of innumerable circumstances, and we, each of us, have a responsibility (if we do not like where we are) to move along life's road, to find a better path if this one does not suit, or to walk happily along this one if it is indeed our life's way. Changing even the bad things that have gone before would fundamentally change who we are, and whether or not that would be a good thing, I believe, it is impossible to predict.
So I take my past experiences... and try to regret nothing".-Drizzt Do'urden, R.A.S
I guess that because "we've lived, we can tell stories like this".
A feel-good story about Mama Sindiwe's determination to be bigger than her circumstances. To arise above all the negativity and be more. In order to be more she had to do more. Sacrificed. Studied. Be more than what her good-for-nothing husband thought. Sacrificed time with her 3 children. Did more to have more.
Mama Sindiwe's life is enriched today. She has moved from worrying about her children to telling stories to her grandchildren. You can only do that when you feel that your stories are good enough to tell. Whether happy or sad. When, at her senior age, she is motivated enough, secure enough and joyful enough to share her life with others.
I am definitely reading more of her...
November 13, 2018
Forced to Grow is a sequel to Sindiwe Magona’s autobiography titled “To My Children’s Children” (1990) . Although "Forced To Grow" can be read independently , I would recommend reading the two books in chronological order to better put matters into perspective.
Written in an easy , conversational and maternal voice , Sindiwe Magona continues to relate her life story as if speaking to her great grand children.
A curtain then opens on a destitute 23 year old mom of two, with a third child on the way , ill-educated , unemployed, and abandoned by her husband. A rags to riches account of how in every facet of her life; schooling, parenting, love marriage, career, political activism, travel, church, , she had to grapple with two elephants that remain in the room. Racism and patriarchy.
A story of resilience , focus, and determination. She effectively utilized all her networks of family, friends, education, woman’s groups , church , international groups to achieve her goals. At one point she temporarily leaves her kids, not hindered by patriarchy which shuns a woman who temporarily leaves her children for a valid reason, but would rationalize with a man leaving his kids for no reason.
Magona comes from a generation of Meriam Tlali, Lauretta Ngcobo, Bessie Head and others, who's harsh, violent and horrid experiences forced them to put pen to paper, to document their stories as Black females amidst gender and racial discrimination.
The book helps reiterate the messsge that, where there is a will there is a way. And that what does not kill us definetely makes us stronger. Further more, that education, wisdom and travel broadens one's perspective and probability of success.
Great book that Black women will resonate with. A window to our parents and great parents resourcefulness, for us to be where we are today.
Written in an easy , conversational and maternal voice , Sindiwe Magona continues to relate her life story as if speaking to her great grand children.
A curtain then opens on a destitute 23 year old mom of two, with a third child on the way , ill-educated , unemployed, and abandoned by her husband. A rags to riches account of how in every facet of her life; schooling, parenting, love marriage, career, political activism, travel, church, , she had to grapple with two elephants that remain in the room. Racism and patriarchy.
A story of resilience , focus, and determination. She effectively utilized all her networks of family, friends, education, woman’s groups , church , international groups to achieve her goals. At one point she temporarily leaves her kids, not hindered by patriarchy which shuns a woman who temporarily leaves her children for a valid reason, but would rationalize with a man leaving his kids for no reason.
Magona comes from a generation of Meriam Tlali, Lauretta Ngcobo, Bessie Head and others, who's harsh, violent and horrid experiences forced them to put pen to paper, to document their stories as Black females amidst gender and racial discrimination.
The book helps reiterate the messsge that, where there is a will there is a way. And that what does not kill us definetely makes us stronger. Further more, that education, wisdom and travel broadens one's perspective and probability of success.
Great book that Black women will resonate with. A window to our parents and great parents resourcefulness, for us to be where we are today.
November 19, 2019
I bought the book a year ago and tried to read it then, but at the time I was not connecting with the author and the style of writing. So I abandoned it. A year and some months later I picked it up again and I couldn't stop reading. Magona's determination to not just grow, but to be educated and make something of herself is beyond admirable. This was a refreshing read on a life lived through the apartheid era. This book makes me want to read more biographies of women that lived and somewhat thrived during the apartheid years. It was also gracefully written. Definitely one I wouldn't mind to revisit in a few year's time.
February 12, 2021
M͟Y͟ A͟C͟T͟U͟A͟L͟ R͟A͟T͟I͟N͟G͟ I͟S͟ 3͟.4͟⭐/5͟
✨
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸:
Forced to Grow is Sindiwe Magona's second autobiography. In the book we learn that Sindiwe became a mother at the age of 19 and was forced to raise 3 kids on her own, while their father and her husband went astray.
✨
We get to see her ambition and how she did all she could to put food on the table, hustling so that her children did not sleep hungry at night. At some point she sold dagga just to make money.
✨
Sindiwe explains how education opened many doors for her. She first made sure that as a teacher she stood out amongst the many teachers of her time. She got her matric; a qualification in social work and a masters degree at Columbia University.
✨
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲:
Reading it was an eye-opening experience. I thought of my grandmother and how the oppression of that time denied many black women opportunities to be more than they were; and how hard it was to go against the system and try to be better.
✨
Sindiwe was a teacher and as I read her story I thought of my mother and her journey as a teacher.
✨
I will be reading more books by Magona.
✨
𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝘁:
Something that looks like it's meant to destroy you, can actually make you stronger - When her husband left her she felt like it was the worst thing ever; but at the end of the story she says that she knows now that had her husband stayed behind she wouldn't have achieved the many great things that she achieved.
✨
✨
𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁:
You should read this book if you are interested in reading about stories of woman who lived during the apartheid era. Woman who made something of themselves despite the racism and patriarchy they faced
✨
𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸:
Forced to Grow is Sindiwe Magona's second autobiography. In the book we learn that Sindiwe became a mother at the age of 19 and was forced to raise 3 kids on her own, while their father and her husband went astray.
✨
We get to see her ambition and how she did all she could to put food on the table, hustling so that her children did not sleep hungry at night. At some point she sold dagga just to make money.
✨
Sindiwe explains how education opened many doors for her. She first made sure that as a teacher she stood out amongst the many teachers of her time. She got her matric; a qualification in social work and a masters degree at Columbia University.
✨
𝗠𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲:
Reading it was an eye-opening experience. I thought of my grandmother and how the oppression of that time denied many black women opportunities to be more than they were; and how hard it was to go against the system and try to be better.
✨
Sindiwe was a teacher and as I read her story I thought of my mother and her journey as a teacher.
✨
I will be reading more books by Magona.
✨
𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝘁:
Something that looks like it's meant to destroy you, can actually make you stronger - When her husband left her she felt like it was the worst thing ever; but at the end of the story she says that she knows now that had her husband stayed behind she wouldn't have achieved the many great things that she achieved.
✨
✨
𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝘁:
You should read this book if you are interested in reading about stories of woman who lived during the apartheid era. Woman who made something of themselves despite the racism and patriarchy they faced
August 21, 2014
This was a story of success from nothing, and while the pieces were all distinct and interesting the overall arc was predictable. I wanted more context on her struggles and her children and the specifics of xhosa south Africa.
August 31, 2012
Good and motivating book!!
August 12, 2012
Expected more in the story line
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews