About Chris Mann
Chris Zithulele Mann was a prominent South African poet, teacher, and cultural figure. Born in Port Elizabeth, he studied at the University of the Witwatersrand and Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. He spent years working with rural communities in KwaZulu-Natal before becoming Professor of Poetry at Rhodes University. His poetry reflects deep engagement with South African landscapes, cultures, and the challenges of post-apartheid identity.
About the Poem
The poem explores the experience of transition and change — a 'crossing over' from one state of being to another. Set against the South African landscape, it meditates on borders both physical and metaphorical: between cultures, between past and present, between life and death. Mann's characteristically contemplative voice reflects on what it means to move between worlds and identities in a country defined by its divisions and its attempts at reconciliation.
Key Themes
- Transition and change
- Cultural borders and identity
- The South African landscape
- Reconciliation and understanding
- Memory and belonging
Literary Devices
Imagery
Vivid descriptions of the South African landscape ground the poem's abstract themes
Symbolism
The act of 'crossing over' represents multiple kinds of transition
Reflective tone
The meditative pace invites the reader to contemplate alongside the speaker
Juxtaposition
Different cultures and time periods are placed side by side
Historical & Literary Context
Mann wrote during and after the apartheid era, and his poetry is deeply shaped by South Africa's complex social landscape. His work explores what it means to belong to a country undergoing profound transformation, drawing on both Western literary traditions and African oral culture.
Continue with Video & Presentation
Access the paid lesson resources for this poem.