CHAPINDAPASI (Short Stories) By Maxwell Kanemanyanga

Excerpt from the book: “My husband, I might have news that will make you a happy till the day you will go to your grave.” (Tikidi, the King’s wife,) said. “You remember the time i went to my parents. I gave birth to a baby boy, we lied to you that he was dead because i knew you will kill him. You have a son King Makombe." The smile on his face (The King) said it all. The tears of sorrow turned out to be tears of joy. During his young years he would have dragged her to her grave but now she had just made him the happiest man alive. He did not want to waste any more time, he rushed to his palace to meet with his elders and advisors. They sat for the whole night and it was at this indaba that they all agreed that the King's son should come home and learn from his father and elders. Early in the following morning the six bodyguards, one king's advisor and the mother Tikidi took the long journey to Bumhira's kingdom. It was a long journey as always especially with a woman among them. When they finally arrived they saw King Bumhira seating in front of his palace. He was shocked to see his daughter coming. Without wasting time Tikidi took her father aside and briefly explained to him the reason why she came. King Bumhira was happy and sad at the same time. Happy because mother and son would finally unite and not live a lie an more. On the other hand he was sad to see a boy he raised as his own son leave even though he had to. They rested for two more days before they embarked on the long journey back home. The rumour of the King's son spread like fire. People from all walks of life flocked to the King's palace to see this mysterious son. How could the king have a son when he killed all his sons, they could not stop wondering. Meanwhile the other wives of King Makombe were hurt and jealous. How did Tikidi manage to raise a son when all their sons were slaughtered? Her son will now be the king, and she will obviously become the King's favourite because she gave him an heir that he desperately wanted. When people saw the delegation arriving all their questions were answered. They didn't need any introduction; it was obvious who the King's son was. This was not a rumour any more it was reality. Mapuranga was huge and strong just like his father. King Makombe declared a holiday to celebrate the resurrection of his son as he called it. Whilst people were celebrating plans were made for Mapuranga to stay with a council of elders for one year to learn the customs of his people and how to be a ruler. Even though Mapuranga had the best advisers there was nothing they could do about his nature. He was a cruel, stubborn, proud and heartless young man. In short he was his father's son in every way. However if there was one man who was happy with the development of Mapuranga it was his father. “How can he be a king if he is soft? Power is for people who are ruthless, people with heart and guts", he reiterated to his advisers’ who voiced their concerns about his rude and sometimes disrespectful behaviour…

Leke Giwa on Soqaga's second Book

I have just read Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga’s book, Promoting Quintessential African writing (2013). I have read a prior review of this work (by R Mokoena) which is adequate enough. However I was also struck by the approach of the author – when near the end of the book, he refers to case studies of five “outstanding African writers” – Achebe, Ngugi, Ayi Kwei Armah, Es’kia Mphahlele, and Wole Soyinka. This is followed by a long list of “prolific” African writers. The problem is that many a-reader could be confused here; thinking that the “outstanding” writers should not be prolific; or/and the “prolific” ones might lack enough quality. This is not the case. The first thing to point out is that largely, even these “outstanding” writers are prolific themselves. Chinua Achebe, though famed globally for “Things fall apart” published many other books; at least 20 of them, including other brilliant novels, essays, short stories, criticism and the like. The same applies to Ngugi wa Thiong’o who has published some 30 books too. South Africa’s Es’kia Mphahlele, a literary pioneer during his lifetime, published all this and more too; at least 20 books in his case! As for Ayi Kwei Armah, the Ghanaian writer, he might not have published up to twenty books, but we must remember that the world class novels he is now famous for were largely published within a period of ten years (around 1968 to 1978). The works include The beautyful ones are not yet born, Fragments, 2000 seasons, and The Healers) Armah also later published other novels which further put him on the map. In fairness to author Soqaga, he does at least point out briefly that in the case of Wole Soyinka, he has been very prolific too: “On my own part I am very proud that many African writers have been prolific in their output…David Maillu for example, has published over 60 books; and Nobel award winner Soyinka might well have surpassed this figure (60)…” (Page 30, Promoting Quintessential African Writing, by I.M Soqaga). And no one would doubt the shining quality of Soyinka’s works despite his being prolific! But perhaps we should not dwell on prolificacy too much. As writers, critics, researchers etc, we must always learn from current developments. Charmaine Kolwane, the South African female writer in her new, updated, revised study on the writer O Bolaji (2013), asks him how many books he has published thus far. Bolaji’s reply is illuminating, touching on ‘prolific writing’: ‘I don’t think writers should dwell on the number of books they have published – quality will always be more important than quantity. Most literary pundits like to state that I have published some 30 books, discounting ghost-writing and stuff like that. Yeah, maybe that is a figure one can hang a hat on! There are some writers obsessed with how many books they have published; but I am not one of them. I have been writing books since I was a kid for decades and as I write in so many literary genres, the figure might not be so bad by now. But what is the point of having so many books if most or even all of them are ignored by serious critics? I always mention female icons like Yvonne Vera and Tsitsi Dangarembga as examples; they published relatively few books; but studies and books on them continue to appear world-wide. These are people who have really made their mark. How many countless studies have been issued globally on Tsitsi’s one book, Nervous Conditions?’ Whilst bearing this in mind, one should still commend our African writers, especially those who are BOTH qualitative and prolific; I am sure the author, Ishmael Soqaga will appreciate my perspective here.

THROBBING SA BLACK LITERATURE

MARCH FOR LIBRARIES!

By Eusebius McKaiser I grew up in a small council house in Middle Terrace, Grahamstown. I have many happy memories. And many not so happy ones. There were tough days! Poverty is the real mother of invention. There is no need to romanticize poverty and inequality.(As a child) I spent many hours in the community library lost in books. I was lucky the library was next to our house and so I only needed to jump the fence and I was a minute away from magical worlds that looked and felt and smelt very different to my own life. I fell in love with Enid Blyton, like many millions of kids the world over. And jelly sandwiches with my favourite characters. (Mind you, the thought was disgusting for years! Only as an adult did an American friend rescue me from ignorance – jelly for them turned out to be what we dub jam, not only desert!) Also when I was in the library I could not be smacked by mom who was frustrated at dad’s disappearance. I wasn’t a witness to violence between neighbours. I was in a happy place Books gave me joy. The world of books helped me escape the harsh reality of a childhood located in our familiar landscape of violence, poverty and inequality. I really was lucky. Some of my peers – and siblings and cousins – responded to our tough upbringing by dropping out of school or falling pregnant as teens. I can’t blame them. How can I know the utter hopelessness of our community that provided conditions ripe for antisocial behaviour. I had no guidance at home, and so my reading list was very bizarre and random: in between so-called children’s book I was reading Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Virginia Andrews’s Flowers…We must read everything in our sight; we must become a reading nation…Now I’m an annoying philosophy student and part-time lecturer for life. That’s what books do. They help you find your true self. Here is the ultimate moral of my book nostalgia, though. If we want to break down barriers between ourselves across race, linguistic and cultural lines, we must promote reading. Fiction forces you to live in other people’s worlds. It develops our empathetic capacities. Sure, reading isn’t a substitute for dismantling apartheid geography and is no substitute for living in each other’s spaces. But it can and does help to build bridges. Reading will help us to humanize each other. These benefits require well-stocked libraries in every school and community, managed by librarians who are valued and paid due compensation for their vital role. (Originally published in The Star. Article slightly revised here) • McKaiser is author of the best-selling, A Bantu in My bathroom

TSEBA O LEETONG ( KNOW YOU ARE ON A JOURNEY)

Angelina De Wee

HARK AT THIS LADY POET!

Take a lovely young female librarian who is very much in touch with her roots and celebrates the world of arts and culture, especially poetry. Lindiwe Damane is a cultured, performing poet with an African touch. Talking about how it all began for her, she explains: “I developed an interest in writing when I was in High School in 2006, my English teacher would give us poems to read; thereafter my love for poetry started there.” Although still very young at the time, she experienced some frustrations along the way. “Then I would write just for fun and no one would read my work, hardly anybody even knew that I wrote poems. In 2009 I would write occasionally... eventually I stopped writing. “

Now working at the Bloemfontein Public Library, inevitably she met the powerful poet and author, Charmaine Kolwane Mrwebi who was to somewhat take her under her wing.”I met Charmaine in 2011 who went on to play a crucial role in my life. She inspired me a lot with her work. Here is a young black lady so committed to writing; an author with her first book available in some of the best Universities in the world, including in America. She would always encourage me to write. She would take me to poetry sessions and writer's organization meetings and workshops.” Charmaine’s efforts bore fruit, and now Lindiwe herself is establishing herself as an enthusiastic, talented performer. “Charmaine revived something inside me that almost died. I started writing again and it has never felt so good. I write poems in English and my home language (IsiXhosa).” Lindiwe expands her horizons by reading the poetry, and books of other established writers. She says: “One of my favourite poets is Ntsiki Mazwai. My local favourite writers are Charmaine Mrwebi, Hector Kunene, O Bolaji, and last but not least Ntate ‘Magic’ – who can die for poetry! (laughs)”

A Fine Work to Guide us all

Book: Mr Kgaile, you were Wrong Author: Bennet Mkhehlane Reviewer: Raselebeli Khotseng

By now it is clear that the author, Bennet Mkheklane, is a very powerful motivator, and a deeply spiritual individual. This is his second book which confirms the promise of his first work. His debut book, titled ‘A Passion to Serve’ was a great success, and elements of the book can be seen in the second. The strain of spirituality runs through the work as we are urged to abide by the word of God. The author covers many topics and subjects that are part of daily life. The emphasis is always on the positive and it is obvious that the author goes out of his way to ensure that the spiritual path is the only real fruitful path. There are examples taken from around the world, especially the United States of America which has always been a vibrant and fruitful source of so many exciting things; with colourful characters and a lot of publicity. I enjoyed the wide discourse and advice on marital conflicts late on in this new book. Here the author shows humility and empathy; even pointing out what could be his own weaknesses as a human being in keeping his family together. This is the work of a very intelligent person, already making a difference in our society. Despite the rather controversial reference in the title, this is another thorough work to cherish.