Skip to main content

SOQAGA AT 40







Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga, South African born writer, literary critic, essayist, poet and Pan-Africanist, has clocked the age of 40. Many literary aficionados and enthusiasts have paid glittering tribute to Soqaga (above) who has published extensively on African writers, male and female, their works, and vision. Here is a cross-section of some of the felicitations:


Lupna Avery:

Congratulations on your birthday, Mr Soqaga. I am sure lovers of books etc across Africa appreciate your contributions over the years. 40 years has such a nice ring.

Leke Giwa:

Hope you have a wonderful day. You have published extensively on African writers. I enjoy reading about you, and other prominent literary personnel on the internet.

Madolyn Chukwu:

40 years!! That is  wonderful. Mr Soqaga (South African; eh...) loves literature so much. He writes long engaging essays and profiles on books and writers. I wish him a magnificent Birthday.

Henry Ozogula:
I am so happy for Mr Soqaga. I feel so bad that I could not even send him a (physical) card, though we know it can take many weeks to get to South Africa.... Pls congratulate him for me. He is a shining man of letters who has done so much for African Writing.

TM Thiba:

Happy birthday to The Great “Dada”. As a writer myself, I appreciate his contributions. May he enjoy his birthday and God grant him more years to live and share his wisdom with the world. His (Soqaga’s) work is very beautiful indeed 


Selected books by I. M Soqaga
Promoting Quintessential African Writing

Glimpses into African Literature

Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga

Further Glimpses into African Literature

The Growth of FS Black Literature

Comments

  1. HERCULE12 February 2020 at 04:36

    May I congratulate Mr Soqaga too. Africa needs talented and committed men of letters like him

    ReplyDelete
  2. Eric12 February 2020 at 06:15

    CONGRATULATIONS, Mr Soqaga.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Eric12 February 2020 at 06:16

    CONGRATULATIONS, Mr Soqaga.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Unknown13 February 2020 at 01:44

    Fecilitations Mr Soqaga 40 is a magical number.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Unknown13 February 2020 at 01:47

    Tribute and salutations are in order. Be blessed

    ReplyDelete
  6. RAPHAEL15 February 2020 at 04:36

    Great for Mr Soqaga to hit 40 years of age! And we thank him for his regular contributions to African and world literature

    ReplyDelete
  7. C. MADOLYN15 February 2020 at 04:38

    CONGRATULATIONS ON THIS HEADY MILESTONE!

    ReplyDelete
  8. KUNLE AWO17 February 2020 at 04:30

    I saw the book, Glimpses into African Literature. Swift glimpses into the literature of our continent, was so happy to see the piece on Baba Amos Tutuola, and Peter Abrahams who we read in school too

    ReplyDelete
  9. Leke Giwa17 February 2020 at 04:40

    Congratulations again on this personal milestone. We all grew up being taught how to love reading, but few of us continue to do so (apart from newspapers I guess). I mean reading for pleasure like fiction, drama, poetry, Shakespeare and the like. Mr Soqaga has gone much further by not only appreciating general reading, but also having published so many essays, books, reviews (and of course books) on many African writers. Well done, Sir

    ReplyDelete
  10. A. OSONDU18 February 2020 at 04:34

    Congratulations, Sir.

    ReplyDelete
  11. MAJA29 February 2020 at 04:23

    Congratulations, Mr Soqaga. How is the weather in South Africa?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Eric15 July 2020 at 00:43

    WE pray we all survive covid-19...Mother Africa

    ReplyDelete
  13. TM THIBA8 November 2020 at 22:26

    Im bit late to congratulate you Mr Soqaga but a man of your caliber is one to be celebrated every and continue to enlighten us with a wealth of African knowledge.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

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 "
12 comments
Read more

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...
12 comments
Read more

D.O FAGUNWA: An early Literary Genius

By   BAYO ADEBOWALE D.O. Fagunwa’s creative art, from inception, has been received with warmth and enthusiasm. His early-time audience consumed the themes and contents of his works eagerly and with gusto… Whoever among them can ever forget Fagunwa’s powerful character portrait of his major characters like Esu Kekereode, Anjonnu Iberu, Olowoaye, Ojola Ibinu, Kako, Akaraoogun, Imodoye, Olohun Iyo, Aramanda Okunrin, Egbin, Ibembe Olokunrun, Ifepade, Arogidigba, Baba Onirugbon Yeuke, Ajediran, Iragbeje, Ajantala, Ogongo Baba Eye, Edidare people and Omugodimeji their Royal Father, Ireke Onibudo, itanforiti, Ologbo Ijakadi, Iyunade and Ahondiwura! Fagunwa’s early-time critics, in the same token, evaluated the style and technique of his novels with utmost regard and respect. All of Fagunwa’s novels got incisive analysis and critical acclaim from eminent scholars, of the calibre of Ayo Bamgbose, Abiola Irele, Uli Beier, Bernth Lindfors, Omolara Ogundipe-Leslie, Akinwumi I...
2 comments
Read more