I am a post-doctoral fellow at the Department of English at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, currently conducting research on storytelling, identity and multiculturality in the interpretation and interpellation of David Kramer's narratives. I am working on a biography of David Kramer in collaboration with Dr Dawid de Villiers. 

I obtained my MA degree in English Literature from Johannesburg University entitled: An analysis of the work of Kazuo Ishiguro, his biculturalism and his contribution to new internationalism and hold a DLitt et Phil from the University of South Africa.  My thesis: Inventions and transformation: an exploration of mythification and remythification in four contemporary novels (2006) explores the hypothesis that myths are present, albeit in transformed version, in contemporary fiction.  My research interests focus primarily on storytelling; intertextuality and identity and include approaches to mythopoetics, narratology, and gender and cultural studies. 

Additional teaching includes a course in Critical Studies (Critical Theory, Visual Literacy and Film Studies) at Vega School of Brand Innovation in Cape Town (part time).

Publications

Slabbert, M & Viljoen, L. 2006. 'Sustaining the imaginative life: mythology and fantasy in Neil Gaiman's American Gods. In Literator. 2006. 27(3). 135-155.

Slabbert, M & Viljoen, L. 2008. 'Despair and restoration: myth and in A.L. Kennedy's Everything You Need.' In Acta Academica. 40(4). 2008. 52-78.

Essays

Slabbert, M. 'Inventions and transformations: imagining new worlds in the stories of Neil Gaiman.' Authentic Voices in Contemporary Fairy Tales. Bobby, S,R. (ed). McFarland. 2009.

Contact Details

mslabbert@sun.ac.za