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CHAKA By Thomas Mofolo

Review by IM Soqaga Harking back to historical novels of the nations which have been churned out incessantly over the years will continue to be fascinating. Many nations such as in Europe, United State, China and elsewhere in the world have been fully versed on the genre from medieval times up to the 20th century till today. Consequentially, African writers like Thomas Mofolo, Chinua Achebe, Sol Plaatje, Ayi Kwei Armha, Naguib Mahfouz, Wole Soyinka, Maaza Mengistu, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi etc have made many impressive strides in advancing this intriguing genre. Since around 1907 to 1910, a proficient African literary pioneer from Lesotho finished penning a monumental book in Sesotho, one of Southern African indigenous languages. The book is about the most famous Chaka, the King of the Zulu’s. It is a known fact as why the book was delayed and was ultimately being published in 1925. After its publication the book Chaka by Thomas Mofolo was immed...
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SELEKE BOTSIME WOWS THE HORDES

Seasoned SA musician, Sekeke Botsime - with his dexterous guitar in tow - wowed many denizens of Thaba Nchu and the Free State, with his new lyrical offering titled MOPHAPATHEGI (Homeless) "SLK", who brought the house down during his shows says, "The current sad situation in Ukraine - under siege by Russia - made it clear to me that life can be so unpredictable. "War has caused so much distress to those affected, the hapless refugees... who knows, it might be one's turn to pack one's bags in search of a better place - to eke out some sort of existence far away from home ... horrendous!" Seleke adds wistfully, his fingers unconsciously strumming his guitar: "The political instability of our own continent (Africa) shows that accountability is something most of our leaders lack... we fail to be the change that we want. "Hence my music calls for a better Africa "

BOOKS BARDS AND BARBS. By Omoseye Bolaji

'There is a lot of focus on books from all over Africa and the world; authors include Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Kunle Ajibade, Ayi Kwei Armah, Dambudzo Marechera, Bessie Head Ifeoma Chinwuba, Lewis Nkosi, Futhi Ntshingila, Es’kia Mphahlele, Gabriel Okara, Kola Onadipe, Emmanuel Obiechina, Ola Rotimi, Mbella Sonne Dipoko, Cyprian Ekwensi, Peter Abrahams, Kofi Awoonor, Kole Omotosho, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Dillibe Onyeama, Mariama Ba, Charles Mungoshi, Mabel Segun, Kenneth Kaunda, Siphiwo Mahala and NMM Duman. Others (mainly from Europe) include works by the likes of William Shakespeare, George Orwell, John Grisham and Sidney Sheldon. Others in this ilk include Nadine Gordimer, Joseph Conrad, Namitha Gokhale, Joyce Cary, Leslie Meir, Leonard Woolf, Betty Tootell, and Maria Sharapova. Bolaji writes on all these, and more here.'

FOR PATRICK SHAI

For Patrick Shai 🕊️🕊️🕊️ By Hector Kunene We blew your ashes too soon! We shook the fruity tree roughly like a diamond cut in edges! Your story will be that of the best boxing match that never happened in the ring My heart sank when I heard of your landing I don't know how to put the pieces together to complete the image of your puzzle I am still in disbelief Perhaps I am in denial A story of a man who told stories and ended up as a teary story in a territory A foul patched with grief A dominant dire diabolical doom I suppose the moon knew That's why she delayed and deemed her light blue Yours hits too deep Shai I don't wanna lie So shall we pen your stone of granite as a man who beat Nyovest And place it on the hill in the west? You son of a gun Come back I dare you hun And wipe my tears away So peace may find me instead of the RIP's I see trending with The River I've been crying Sekwanele Sewulele vele So here lies a man who beat Nyovest ...

GALGUT TO THE FORE!

Literary aficionados, and South Africans generally, recently celebrated with novelist and playwright, Damon Galgut who has been awarded the 2021 Book Prize, for his book 'The Promise'. A wordsmith of great quality, earlier in 2003 and 2010 Galgut was shortlisted for the same award and after more than a decade in a good time he has been rewarded with the same prestigious award. Mr Galgut resides in Pretoria and all his life he has been writing - in spades. His award winning book 'The Promise' probes South Africa and the land issue. He is armed with a Drama degree from University of Cape Town. The following are some of his great works in no particular order: 1. A Sinless Season - 1982 2. Small Circles of Beings - 1988 3. The Beautiful Screaming of Pigs - 1991 4. The Quarry - 1995 5. Arctic Summer - 2014 6. The Good Doctor - 2003 7. In a Strange Room - 2010 8. The Promise - 2021

EAST AFRICA'S GURNAH WINS THE NOBEL AWARD FOR LITERATURE!

It's  been a long wait. Since Wole Soyinka won the Nobel Award in Literature in 1986, it seemed the prestigious diadem would continue to elude Africa and its Black writers. But now it's back! Now, Abdulrazak Gurnah of Tanzania has been announced as the winner of the gong for this year. He might not be as well known in his native continent like Achebe, Ngugi, Armah, Adichie etc, but his body of writings stand as a monument... An academic and (mainly) a novelist who migrated to the UK many decades ago, Gurnah s works are regarded as top notch especially in Eurocentric circles, having published formidable novels like  Paradise , and  Afterlife Raphael Mokoena, literary aficionado says: "One is naturally happy with this development - another Black wins the Nobel Award for Literature ... but to be honest, the whole picture and scenario looks pretty grim. Whether based in Africa, Europe or America, only 3 authentic blacks have won the Nobel Award for writing over the decades! T...

THE AFRICAN IN THE MIRROR. By Abimbola Lagunju

  Excerpts from this book: "The persistence of this trait in the gene pool makes it possible to draw parallels between major actors of early African history and their contemporary counterparts.  Mali emperors were known for their extravagant pilgrimages to Mecca, not for their religious zealousness or piety. Mansa Kankan Mussa made the most extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca in African history.  He (Mansa Musa) travelled to Mecca in 1325, with 500 slaves and 100 camels (each carrying gold). It is recorded that  he gave away gold in enormous quantities to the amazement of all the communities and villages through which he passed. He had gotten the wealth from outrageous taxes on his subjects, levies, sale of slaves, and from enslaving other African states.... "Mansa K. Mussa has many parallels in contemporary African history. It is a known fact  that some post independence African leaders looted their country even  to the amazement of the...