A Return To The Literal Motherland

Publishers note In 1987, after his anti-war play Somewhere on the Border had stirred up controversy in South Africa, playwright Anthony Akerman decided to visit home after an absence of 14 years. He was living in Amsterdam, had acquired Dutch citizenship and needed a visa. Although disappointing, it came as no surprise when his application was turned down.

Two years later, shortly before his 40th birthday, he finally traced his birth mother in Cape Town but, as he was still persona non grata, he was unable to fly out to meet her.

What follows is a lightly edited excerpt from Akermans memoir Lucky Bastard .

Many adoptees dont talk to their adoptive parents about tracing their biological families because theyre afraid of hurting them or think theyd regard it as a betrayal. Mum and Dad meant it when they said they wanted to meet my mother, and I encouraged them. Had it been possible, Id obviously have met her first, but it felt strangely appropriate that they should meet her before I did.

In October 1989, they checked into the City Lodge in Cape Town and my mother called on them. The following day she took them to Kirstenbosch, where they had tea and walked through the gardens. They spent the next day together and my new sister Jean joined them for lunch at the Constantia Nek Restaurant. They say, my mother wrote, she has the same lovely smile as you.