Song for Sarah: Lessons from my Mother

by Jonathan Jansen

In this, Jansen’s most personal and intimate book to date, South Africa’s beloved Professor contemplates the stereotypes and stigma so readily applied to Cape Flats mothers as bawdy, lusty and gap-toothed – and offers this endearing antidote as a praise song to mothers everywhere who raise families and build communities in difficult places.
As a young man, Jansen questioned how mothers managed to raise children in trying circumstances – and then realised that the answer was right in front of him in the form of Sarah Jansen, his own mother.
Tracing her early life in Montagu and the consequences of apartheid’s forced removals, Jansen unpacks how strong women managed to not only keep families together, but raise them with integrity.
With his trademark delicacy, humour and frankness, Jansen follows his mother’s life story as a young nurse and mother to five children, and shows how mothers dealt with their pasts, organised their homes, made sense of politics, managed affection, communicated core values – how they led their lives. As a balance to his own recollections, Jansen has called on his sister, Naomi, to offer her own insights and memories, adding special value to this touching personal memoir.

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2017

About the author

Professor Jonathan Jansen is the Vice Chancellor of the University of the Free State, South Africa, where he has earned a formidable reputation for transformation and for a deep commitment to reconciliation in communities living with the heritage of apartheid. He is an educationalist, a former Dean of Education at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, who holds an impressive collection of degrees and awards, including the position as President of the South African Institute of Race Relations. He was born in the Western Cape, South Africa, and has lived in various parts of South Africa and in the United States. He is married with two children.

Reviews

[Jane Conradie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Son’s Heartfelt Tribute Togo’s Mother

This is a moving story of the courage and steadfastness of a mother of behalf of her beloved family. Her strength of character and her unwavering faith are inspiring.
Little wonder her firstborn is a man of great academic and moral stature in our extraordinary country.

[Liesl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will have you smiling and giggling as you relate to the stories told but it’ll also serve as a reminder that mothers within our community are not always well depicted in the media but they are well respected and loved by their families, church communities and many others who know them. Touching and superbly written.

[Maria Marques · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it. Good old fashioned values, brought back memories from my childhood and how we were brought up. Respect, hard work - never killed anyone.

[Nelisiwe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reflection of a professor's childhood and a celebration of the role his mother played in his life.