BEYOND BORDERS
Fairlady|January 2020
Although Marita van der Vyver is mostly seen as anAfrikaans writer, her books have been translated into English, German, French, Mandarin and even Icelandic – and are read all over the world. Her latest work delves into the psychological damage caused by the BorderWar – from SouthAfrica to Cuba. We met up with her to talk about her work, her life in France and the controversy surrounding Borderline.
CHARIS TORRANCE
BEYOND BORDERS

Marita van der Vyver has been living in France for 20 years, so when she’s back in SA, she likes to seek out a little bit of ‘home’. ‘My friend Naretha Ricome, who is also an Afrikaans woman married to a Frenchman, always invites me to stay at her company’s wine farm when I’m in the Western Cape,’ she says. L’Avenir Country Lodge describes itself as ‘authentically South African with a touch of French’ – which is probably why Marita feels right at home here.

Marita actually started out as a young adult fiction writer but really made a name for herself with her controversial novel, Griet Skryf ’n Sprokie (Entertaining Angels) back in 1992. Despite drawing the ire of conservative readers for its explicit sex scenes, it became a bestseller, was reprinted several times and was awarded the M-Net, ATKV and Eugène Marais prizes.

‘I still have people coming up to me to tell me how they had a “secret copy”,’ she says with a laugh.

Today, she’s written more than a dozen novels as well as short stories and essays. She’s also branched out into radio plays, film scripts and shorter pieces about food and her life in Provence.

She met her husband, Alain Claisse, during a sabbatical year in the south of France, and relocated there permanently in 1999, before they married. Two decades ago they settled in Provence with their four children: Alain’s sons, Thomas and Hugo, her son, Daniel, and their daughter, Mia. On her life in Provence, she says: ‘All in all, I feel very fortunate because it’s a country where food, wine, and living are taken very seriously.’

This story is from the January 2020 edition of Fairlady.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the January 2020 edition of Fairlady.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM FAIRLADYView All
'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'
Fairlady

'DESIRE IS NOT WHAT MATTERS'

Emily Nagoski wrote the book on women and desire - literally. And then her own sex life dried up. Here's what a prolonged sex drought (and a load of research) taught her about maintaining intimacy in a long-term relationship.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
'We have to tell HARD STORIES'
Fairlady

'We have to tell HARD STORIES'

Theatre director and playwright Yaël Farber is spending time in South Africa after her critically acclaimed run of King Lear at the Almeida Theatre in London. We chatted to her about the importance of the pursuit of truth.

time-read
6 mins  |
July/August 2024
THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe
Fairlady

THE WHY, THE WHICH & the wardrobe

We really got into it this month! Read on for more on the allure of a loosey-goosey jumpsuit, vintage-hunting and jingle-jangling jewellery, the best places to find quality African design and short-girl styling tips.

time-read
10+ mins  |
July/August 2024
LIFT your GAME
Fairlady

LIFT your GAME

Thought weightlifting was just for bodybuilders and powerlifters? Not so. In fact, 'lifting heavy shit' may be the secret to longevity, hormone regulation and mood for women through perimenopause and beyond.

time-read
8 mins  |
July/August 2024
TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS
Fairlady

TREATMENT PLAN ON YOUR MARKS

Armed with a six-month programme from Dr Nerina Wilkinson + Associates, Jennifer Morin set about tackling her sun damage and melasma.

time-read
8 mins  |
July/August 2024
PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT
Fairlady

PLAYING YOUR CARDS RIGHT

Here's how to get the most out of loyalty cards.

time-read
5 mins  |
July/August 2024
BIG SKY Country
Fairlady

BIG SKY Country

Namibia. Twelve friends, five vehicles, 4000 km, thirteen days. Eight punctures, one angle grinder. One martial eagle, one full moon, one ghost town. Plenty of top-quality braais, maybe not quite enough oysters... and the best time ever.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?
Fairlady

IS YOUR HOME MAKING YOU SICK?

Leaks, damp and poor ventilation in old or poorly built new homes are being fingered for a growing health concern: mould.

time-read
7 mins  |
July/August 2024
HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE
Fairlady

HOW TO REALLY GET TO KNOW SOMEONE

The Korean word 'nunchi' describes 'the ability to be sensitive to other people's moods and thoughts'. It's an underrated skill that we seem to have lost.

time-read
9 mins  |
July/August 2024
How to write a memoir
Fairlady

How to write a memoir

Whether you want to share your experiences and insights with the world, leave a legacy or track pivotal experiences for yourself, writing your memoir can be a grand and worthwhile adventure. Here's some advice on how and where to begin.

time-read
7 mins  |
July/August 2024