Contents

Foreword to the learner iv

Section A: Helpful information on Finders Keepers 1
Overview1
Biography of the author: Rosamund Haden 1
Approach2
Setting: Places in the novel – “from Venda via Jozi”  2
Narrator5
Structure and plot 6
Conflict6
Mood or atmosphere 7
Tone7
Timeline  9
Characterisation10
Significance of names 14
Dialogue15
Imagery and figurative language 15
Idioms, proverbs and fixed expressions 16
Themes in Finders Keepers 18
Section B: Exploring the chapters 22
Chapter 1 22
Chapter 2 24
Chapter 3 26
Chapter 4 29
Chapter 5 32
Chapter 6 35
Chapter 7 37
Chapter 8 40
Chapter 9  42
Chapter 10 44
Chapter 11 46
Chapter 12 49
Chapter 13 51
Chapter 14 54
Chapter 15 56
Chapter 16 58
Chapter 17 60
Chapter 18 63
Section C: Examples of formal assessment 66
Section D: Enrichment activities 70
Glossary of literary terms 84
Bibliography  87

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 Section B: Exploring the chapters

Section B: Exploring the chapters

Plot development summary

Chapter 1
Lufuno goes to school for the first time in Cape Town after moving there from Johannesburg. She originally comes
from Venda. She finds the change stressful and she misses her best friend Dudu and her grandmother very much.
The Mukwevho family now live in a shack behind Mrs Jantjies’s home. Lufuno’s parents were retrenched in
Johannesburg and now work at the On the Rise Bakery where the unions have called a strike.

Pre-reading
1. Discuss the stress and challenges involved for a teenager having to move to another province. Include
the impact a move of this nature will have on friends, school, family and relationships in general in
your discussion.


 (2)

Reading
2. The first paragraph contains an extended metaphor. Identify the elements being compared and say
why the comparison reflects the feelings of Lufuno effectively.


 (2)
3. Why is Dudu on the forefront of Lufuno’s thoughts at the beginning of the novel? How big was the role
she played in the protagonist’s life?


 (3)
4. The three different settings that Lufuno found herself in as she was growing up are described in the
first two pages of the novel. Identify the main similarities and differences of these places.


 (6)
5. The bead bracelet made for and given to Lufuno by her grandmother is brimming with symbolic
significance: discuss the familial, cultural and emotional importance of the beads.


 (3)

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 Chapter 1

Post-reading
6. What significance does the On the Rise Bakery play in the life of the Mukwevho family?


 (2)
7. Discuss the pun contained in the name of the bakery.

 (2)
8. Describe Mrs Jantjies and her sons in the opening scene of the novel.


 (3)
9. Would you say that Lufuno’s words: “My first day and trouble has already sought me out” have any
truth to them? Supply reasons for your answer.


 (2)
10. Lufuno is prevented from boarding the taxi to school on her first day. Who stops her and what do you
think their intentions are?


 (2)

Glossary

evaporate (verb) to change into vapour and disappear into thin air
crooners (noun) people who sing in a low, subdued, sentimental manner (sob singer)
petulant (adjective) to be impatient and bad-tempered (grumpy)
saunter (verb) to walk slowly without hurry or effort
distorted (verb) form changed or twisted during amplification
morogo (noun) traditional food plant eaten as spinach
Mma (pronoun) Tshivenda for “mother”
python dance (noun) dance young initiation rite – movements resemble that of a snake

Identify the themes you feel are present in this chapter. Place a tick (ü) next to the relevant theme and write
a short sentence on how this theme is expounded in this chapter.

Thematic links in this chapter

• Poverty and unemployment:


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 Section B: Exploring the chapters

• Bullying:

• Friendship:

• Family:

• Death and grief:

• Stereotyping:

• Strike:

• Love:

• Violence:

• Cultural beliefs versus Westernisation:


Chapter 2
Three school drop-outs accost Lufuno on her first day of school, until she is rescued by Noki. They are both in
Grade 11 at Victory High School. On her way into class, Lufuno is tripped by Sindi who has a crush on Mandla
who picks up the bead bracelet that Lufuno dropped when she fell. He refuses to return it to her, teasingly saying
“Finders keepers”.

Pre-reading
1. Is bullying by their peers a problem most teenagers have to deal with on a regular basis these days?
Answer “yes” or “no” and suggest ways of dealing with bullies.


 (2)

Reading
2. Why do you think Lufuno instinctively reaches for her little bead bracelet when she finds herself in
stressful situations?

 (1)
3. Noki replaces Dudu in Lufuno’s life to a certain extent. Describe the similarities in Dudu and Noki’s
characters.


 (2)

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 Chapter 2

4. Does Noki have any misconceptions regarding her brother Sim? Discuss.

 (2)
5. Sindi is one of the main antagonists of the novel. Describe her physical appearance, her character and
her behaviour.


 (2)

Post-reading
6. Describe Lufuno’s meeting with Mandla, in detail and in your own words. Do you believe in the
concept “love at first sight”? Do you think that is what happens in the novel? Motivate your answer.


 (4)
7.
7.1 Who says the words “Finders keepers” first in the novel?
 (1)
7.2 What is he/she referring to when these significant words are spoken?

 (1)
8. The first negative reaction to Lufuno’s culture and heritage occurs in this chapter. Find the reference
and discuss the introduction to the theme.


 (2)
9. Would you say that Lufuno suffers from a “victim mentality”? Answer “yes” or “no” and explain your
answer.


 (2)

Glossary

stale (adjective) not fresh, musty and unpleasant (food)

intimidated (verb) frightened or over-awed
dodge (verb) to change quickly from position to avoid collision
self-conscious (adjective) to be unduly aware of one’s appearance or actions
hesitant (adjective) to be irresolute or indecisive
flounces (verb) to move with an agitated, impatient motion
Uphethe’nto? isiXhosa for “what are you carrying?”
Vula isiXhosa for “open or clear the way”

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 Section B: Exploring the chapters

uyacinga isiXhosa for “you think”

skollies unemployed sluggards

Identify the themes you feel are present in this chapter. Place a tick (ü) next to the relevant theme and write
a short sentence on how this theme is expounded in this chapter.

Thematic links in this chapter

• Poverty and unemployment:

• Bullying:

• Friendship:

• Family:

• Death and grief:

• Stereotyping:

• Strike:

• Love:

• Violence:

• Cultural beliefs versus Westernisation:


Chapter 3
While Lufuno is battling to find a seat in her new class, Sindi keeps on harassing her. Mandla finds a chair for her
and she introduces herself to the class. Lufuno is lonely and unhappy until she is paired up with Mandla for an
English exercise. They connect well and she learns that he is passionate about soccer.

Pre-reading
1. Would you say that teenagers are very critical of each other? Supply reasons for your response.


 (2)

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