“Hoerkind” means child of a whore, it is an important title, as that is what I was called as a child.”
So explains Herman Lategan about his new book which he says uncovers his life story – a “life of tragedy and survival”.
The Green Point resident is no stranger to the world of literature and previously worked as a journalist in print, radio and television.
Lategan explains that he hopes his new book, which was one of the biggest-selling South African books on the Neilsen SA Book chart a month ago, will inspire others.
The book titled, Hoerkind: Die Memoires van ’n Randeier tells the tale of Lategan who was born out of wedlock in 1964.
He grew up in boarding houses. When his mother later got married, both he and his mom were abused by his stepfather.
“Many of my English-speaking friends complained that they could not understand my previous two books published in Afrikaans. This one is written in a different register, it’s more about my life and times, my story. It’s not written from a literary perspective.”
He says when he was born his mother, who attended the NG Kerk at the time, was told they would not baptise him “as I’m a ‘hoerkind’ ”.
“She had to stand up in church and ask for forgiveness, which she refused to do. When my mother married, her husband, who was a cretin and a wine farmer, called me a “hoerkind”. On his farm, Dassieshoek, in Lutzville, he abused us both. He tried to rape me and often shot at us.”
He says by naming the book “Hoerkind” he gave the word agency.
“I embrace the word that was once used against me to humiliate me, it is a badge of honour. My mother would have approved. “Randeier” is an outsider, the egg on the edge of the nest. In this book I write about my year in an orphanage, later growing up with an alcoholic father, then my mother also turned into one.”
He says despite the tough background he faced he met mentors along the way.
“From the age of 13, I was groomed and molested by a much older man. In my teenage years I befriended poets who were also mentors, people such as Sheila Cussons, whom I was introduced to by a woman who has been kind to me since I was 15, Amanda Botha.”
He says writing this book was “therapeutic”.
“It’s an incredibly honest book, I would lie if I said I’m not nervous or that I don’t feel vulnerable or exposed. Nevertheless, it was therapeutic to write this, just perhaps it might inspire other people to tackle their own memoirs and confront their demons.”
Lategan encourages people to not allow other people’s prejudices to define them.
“I felt my tale might inspire other people to write about their personal struggles and victories. There are so many stories out there with unheard voices, we need to delve deeper into our past. Stories from the rural areas, the cities, townships, Cape Flats, they all need to be told. Sit down and start from the beginning, write 250 words a day. Don’t just talk about it, do it.”
He adds: “Every experience in your life, good or bad, forms you into the rich and diverse person you are today. No setback or success have been wasted.”
The book is available at bookstores which include Exclusive Books, The Book Lounge or can be found online.
