Most of the books of Sir Laurens van der Post describe the life and the problems of the continent of Africa, past present, and future (Carpenter 15). Laurens van der Post was an amazing author that wrote numerous books about Africa. Laurens van der Post allowed the world to see an Anthropologist's view of the “Dark Continent.” He was an author, explorer, anthropologist, linguist, and philosopher (A Prophet Out of Africa). When Laurens combined all of these passions together and wrote it down, he became of the greatest authors of his time.
Laurens van der Post can trace his ancestors back to some of the first settlers in South Africa. The story of the life of his ancestors in Africa has helped illustrate its past history. These facts are important to the understanding of his books. But beyond the mere facts of biography and of history, he has drawn upon a vast background of African lore and legend (Carpenter 16). During the 1950's, he explored and wrote about Africa. He published many books such as: The Lost World Of The Kalahari, The Heart Of The Hunter, A Mantis Carol, and Testament To The Bushman (A Prophet Out of Africa). All of the research and ideas that he drew for his books came from the life of his ancestors and also from his own life.
His own life has prepared him for the role of a spokesman, and his autobiographical writing has emphasized this. Laurens van der Post was born on December 13, 1906 in Philippolis; the Country at the time was the Union of South Africa (A Prophet Out of Africa). During this time South Africa was trying to do as America had done. It was fighting for its independence, but at the same time it was fighting the Natives for the land. This is what his adventures were based on. Laurens Father was a great influence on his son. He was bitter after South Africa lost the war and he forced himself into exile instead of falling under British law. While in exile he wrote two books and then died (Carpenter 22). Laurens van der Post then carried around bitterness for the rest of his childhood, but grew out of it like most childish obsessions. He then moved on.
Laurens was not filled with the adventure and history of his homeland, but he couldn't share it until he was blessed with an education. It first started with language. As a child, the problem of language came first. Until he was seven, he only spoke Afrikaans. He didn't learn English until he was ten (Carpenter 28). He also learned German and French and became fluent in all three languages. Then, driven by his fathers love for books, he was enrolled to Grey College School. He did great except for arguments about use of his native language in writings and the hatred from his professors. He did graduate and was sent on to a new adventure.
Laurens van der Post then entered adulthood without many opportunities. Laurens decided not to go onto college like many of his peers and it seemed like all of the doors were shut to Laurens van der Post. He had a tough time finding a job. After a series of replied letters in the Natal Advertiser, Laurens founded his own magazine with a friend, an antiapartheid magazine. They named the magazine Voorslag, meaning whiplash in Afrikaans. However, after three issues Voorslag was cancelled. Laurens van der Post then went back to South Africa. There he wrote for the Cape Times (Carpenter 33). This laid back lifestyle didn't suit Laurens van der Post (A Prophet Out of Africa). He then began exploring and taking adventures again. He wrote everything down in his novels, and the doors opened for him.
Laurens van der Post died in London on December 17, 1996, at age 90; he had almost thirty of his books published. Sir Laurence van der Post was entirely Afrikaner. Van der Post had a passion for Africa and his books went a long way to dispel the continent's savage reputation (A Prophet out of Africa).
References:
Carpenter, Frederic I. Laurens Van Der Post. New York: Twayne Publishers, Inc, 1969
A Prophet Out of Africa. The Foundation For Humanity's Adulthood. 2003. 20 Feb. 2003 <http://www.fha.asn.au/Articles/vanderPostObit.html>
Written by Stacie Lee Iverson, 2003