The Way of All Flesh

It is both depressing and inevitable. Writers come and go, metaphorically, no matter how larger than life they might appear, no matter their longevity. Two random great writers serve to show this - Agatha Christie, and John Updike. They wrote for decades, made their mark, and despite going the way of all flesh, are still admired by millions. And this is the reassuring thing about writers and books - we can still read their work even after they have departed this world. Like William Shakespeare who died a hundred years ago. The Bronte sisters. Charles Dickens. Joseph Conrad, and many others. Yet we still feel depressed when these literary giants die during our lifetime. Such is the case here in South Africa too. Over the last few years it does seem as if too many of our fine writers have died. When the illustrious Es kia Mphahlele died a few years ago at almost 90 we knew he had made his mark as a true African literary giant, world respected. We should read and re-read his works, like Afrika, my music. Largely, this applies to writers like Mazisi Kunene, and Lewis Nkosi too who also went the way of all flesh quite recently. Mazisi was a genius with his African, Zulu poetry, and Lewis Nkosi was an all-round sophisticated wordsmith. The late Denis Brutus was a very sophisticated poet, too. An academic and intellectual. Many lovers of poetry will always remember him for - A troubador I traverse all my land. And what about Phaswane Mpe and Sello Duiker who also died a few years ago? Their cases are particularly poignant, as they died very young and had so much talent. Just like Emily Bronte, one might say. Then there are others like Sheila Roberts, Bree O’ Mara, Guy Willoughby. All excellent South African writers who also departed this world recently. We should do all we can to keep their literary legacy alive. - Casely Khumalo