LITERARY FLASHES

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...

  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...

    Tiisetso Thiba is among the artists in the North West Province (South Africa) recognized by the department On Wednesday 23 June artists were eagerly awaiting for the official Provincial Arts & Culture Recognition Awards - North West Province #PACRA2021 to premiere and hopefully witness their names to be called as being victorious in their respective nominated categories. Mr. Thiba recalls with exhilaration: ‘’As I was nominated in the category of 'Best Literature Award', it was a big frightening moment because I was nominated with the legends of the Literature industry in the Province in that particular category, the ones with a seasonal experience that could not be compared to anything in this world. To be precise, Mr Kabelo Duncan Kgatea in this is my mentor who guides me more often to write and preserve the Setswana language and to my surprise I was nominated with him in the same category. I dedicate my respect to him.  ‘And the public were given the ch...

  The late Nigerian writer, Cyprian Ekwensi, was a superb writer, certainly one of the most prolific authors in the continent. He certainly had all the tools of the trade and began to show his creativity early in his career, his work appearing on air etc. It impresses me very much that he was a truly Nigerian writer, familiar with the people and language of the North, Western Nigeria, and Lagos in particular, and the East, (he was Ibo by tribe actually). His major works easily show how knowledgeable he was of the whole country; eg in Iska , the protagonist moves easily from the North, to the East (briefly) and then to bubbling Lagos! The same scenario largely unfolds in Jagua Nana's Daughter ; and in Burning Grass , Ekwensi reveals life and norms of the Fulanis in particular from the North. His books show that people are mainly people regardless of tribe, language, religion etc. Hence in Iska eg, we see liaisons and marriages across tribes and regions. Filia's first husba...

  A MIRROR WITH MY IMAGE    A poem by Hector Kunene (South Africa)   I have made my bed peaceful despite the pieces of water that runs through my cheeks A black man's shame mirrored in his presence    I seek to be present that I may present myself present in the event that depends upon a 'Yes' from those supposedly to judge my performances    The sleepless nights in lieu of my peaceful dreams I have placed my art In the hearts of ruthless judges that easily utter a 'No' That taints the image in my mirror   I left my home in confidence this morning  I returned from adjudicators judging myself unworthy of what is said to be calling my name   I was not good enough  Depression uttered my name I surrendered  I failed  A broken record played in my head Hallucinating over what I could have done I sat in a taxi Masked well enough to deprive and deceive fellow travelers...

  'This book reminds one of when one was young, loving books, the great variety then, quite cheap too. Obviously this book belongs to the school of writers like James Hadley Chase (so popular in west Africa then), brutal and often cruel. Wickedness, greed, ingenious illegal plans to make money and the like. Author Sidney Sheldon would become popular too, but never like Chase! Such works would influence any talented local writer, as we see here. But nevertheless we should not forget the influence of the very popular Nick Carter books in those days too, mainly with the descriptions of sex. They all seem to come together in this book, a brilliant novel really, with unforgettable characters. Sex is rampant here too, with a refreshing, free (liberal) approach by one or 2 of the ladies in this novel. So apart from the male cut throats here, you find women who take the initiative in bed, playing with the "member" of their men and being active participants in the eroticism.......

    ... honoured with 'Exquisite Calabash' The Gbobaniyi Club of Ikire ( Nigeria ) has conferred its ‘Exquisite Calabash’ award on Writer, Omoseye Bolaji for his ‘Contributions to the Genre of Mystery/Detective Writing in Africa'.  ‘It is quite apposite and seemly that the recipient Mr  Omoseye Bolaji  would be receiving this award exactly 20 years after he published the very first adventure of the Tebogo Mystery series, titled Tebogo Investigates. That was in 2000. The series has grown in leaps and bounds since then and is now known worldwide.  ‘We refer to Omoseye Bolaji as ‘Mr' here, not because we are unaware that he is an eminent Chief (of Ibadan)himself, or out of disrespect; but Mr. Bolaji has always stressed in his simple way that he prefers to be addressed simply as ‘Mr’. We are also very happy that despite reported poor health over the recent years Mr Bolaji is here in person to receive the award. We also appreciate the presence of literary men, r...