THE STORY BEHIND MY BOOK, SECRETS

By Matshidiso Patricia Taleng

Poetry is the blood running through my veins, it’s the inhaling part of breathing, the rhythmic part of my heartbeat, I love poetry so much that I never go to sleep without writing just a stanza; it feels like a crime when I don't!

In the beginning I never thought of publishing my work, I just wrote to perform and heal the wounded hearts, until my late boyfriend got the idea into my head and made me realize how wonderful it would be like if I were to share my work with the world, I started liking the idea, though sometimes I doubted myself, I thought I wasn't good enough and I sometimes thought people were not going to like my writing, but I got to know that it’s not really about how good you are, but it’s about getting your message across, healing the broken hearted and touching souls. So I then believed in myself even more.

Since I wasn't working at the time, I was depending on my mother to help me with all the costs. she didn't believe in what I was doing at first because she didn't understand it, she always questioned where I got the talent because no one in my family was/is a poet, so me being a poet baffled her, she'd sometimes refuse for me to go to poetry sessions, but on a later stage she got to realize how passionate I was with the word and supported me throughout, sometimes she'd even ask me to perform some of my poems to her and liked them. My father passed on when I was young, so my mother raised
both my brother and I alone, but she made sure that she helped me with everything I needed for the launch, she now believed in my dream.

I took my manuscript to the printers and the day they called me to come look at the first copy of the book if it was right, that there were no mistakes, the first thing I did was to smell it, I can still remember the good smell of that fresh ink, it was amazing I even wanted to cry. I couldn't wait to get home and show it to my mother, she was also happy. It was the greatest achievement of my life; it felt like God was smiling upon me, everything was just perfect - I couldn't ask for more.

After all the initial print-run of my book was finished, I started with the invitations and booking the venue for the launch. It got a little challenging as this author about to launch her first book, turned to become a victim of rape again, yes I got raped two weeks before the launch! I felt like the whole world was crumbling in front of me. I wanted to give up everything because the book itself is titled SECRETS, which is the name of a poem that talks about me being raped when I was very young, so I felt like I wasn't going to be strong to talk about the book where else I just experienced the second encounter, but through the support of my loving mother and brother I managed to conquer, one of my friends gave me a scripture to help me heal.

Habakkuk:2:v2-4 "and the LORD answered me, and said, write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it, for the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come. it will not tarry, behold his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him; but the just shall live by his faith" 

After that heart-warming advice and scripture, I knew I could do it, and it went very well, the book launch went according to plan, people came in numbers and I sold scores of copies of my book in on that night. SECRETS touched a lot of people, and still does ... as a bonus they also loved my performance and the way I delivered my speech. I was overwhelmed by the review about my book and my interviews on the internet, local radio stations and newspapers; the impact cultivated by the book was truly amazing as it liberated the voiceless and that in itself is a humbling feeling forever.

So, to all the young writers and performing artists; never let anyone tell you what you can and cannot achieve in life, anything is possible if only you believe and always let God take charge; art is a calling, we can all be performers but few are chosen to be artists, so keep writing and respecting your craft!

* Ms Taleng is a South African poet

ADEREMI ADEGBOLA (Frank Talk)

I have no doubt in my mind that in Africa many of our good creative writers have not been given the recognition or credit that they deserve. Or that we simply do not hear about them again, and future generations become ignorant regarding such an author. 

This came to my mind recently when I came across an old book written by a Nigerian writer, Aderemi Adegbola. The name did not ring a bell - my own generation appeared not to be aware of the gentleman. Not only did I read the book (titled Frank Talk) but I did some research on the author. 

Mr Aderemi Adegbola has not only published a number of books (rather before my time) but he also came across as a hard-hitting writer  labelled as a non-conformist when he was younger. Some 30 years ago he was elected as the Secretary General of the OSCE. He was at the time strongly identified with Iseyin. 

That he was (is?) hard-hitting is clear from the book, Frank Talk where he identifies with the down-trodden masses and condemns "Conscienceless power pitched against Powerless Conscience". His flair for words, philosophy, and writing in general can be seen throughout this work.
 

Adegbola's candour and bravery can be also be seen from his topics - like "No wreath for Dele Giwa (an outstanding journalist who was brutally murdered), "the transient nature of power", "Awo: the sage lives on", "Tai Solarin: saint or sinner" "Celebration of madness" etc.

The author confesses what we already suspect - that he had been in love with creative writing since he was a kid. There are references to The Young Writers Club (he was a
fervent member) when he was in secondary school; and he enjoyed erstwhile English Language classes as a kid.   

But it was the late Dele Giwa that inadvertently stoked Adegbola's passion for beautiful writing. As he recollects in his book: "Then (one) was fortunate to buy a copy of the Daily Times in 1977. You came across the page edited by Dele Giwa. You read the page and swore to make the purchase of the paper on that day of every week a regular affair...

"You read "Parallax snaps" by Dele Giwa.  You read the piece (many times) ...you looked for a razor blade, cut the piece out and pasted it very close to your bed...When you had got many cuttings of the pieces, you created a file for them for easy accessibility...".

 Aderemi Adegbola went on to write and publish  many articles and stories himself, but I for one do not believe he fulfilled his literary potential; there is nothing strange about this - it has happened to many African writers, and it is worse during our times. I
know a number of pensmiths with initial great talent who later got to the stage where they even hated the craft of writing! 

Having said this I feel that Mr Adegbola would always love the world of writing, even if he might no longer be as hard-hitting as in the days of his youth? But these are just conjectures.

Other books by Aderemi Adegbola

Saki : enough is enough : (commentaries on religious and political wranglings) by Aderemi Adegbola

Footprints :Colonel Abdulkareem Adisa's legacies in Oyo State by Aderemi Adegbola

Oke Ogun : agonies of a neglected people (incorporating who is who) by Aderemi Adegbola

-          - By Leke Giwa

SPOTLIGHT ON SOQAGA'S LITERARY WORK (2014)

"Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga has excitingly emerged as a prolific Black
South African literary critic, essayist, and author. His first two
published books, Omoseye Bolaji a voyage around his literary work
(2012) and Promoting Quintessential African Writing (2013) aroused
interest in many circles. His recent stream of literary reviews and
critiques on the internet and media at large further confirm his
progress in this sphere.

This book puts together the essence of Soqaga's literary work thus
far, highlighting his South African, continental and world vision in
the world of letters. Among the themes he has recently explored -
liberally published in this work - are essays on copious South African
writers, literary protagonists and their work. They include Job T
Mzamo, Lebohang Thaisi, Flaxman Qoopane, Christine Mautjana,
Matshidiso Taleng, Omoseye Bolaji, Raphael Mokoena, Pule Lechesa,
Molebogeng Alitta Mokhuoa, Julia Mooi among others."

FUTHI NTSHINGILA's SECOND NOVEL

Futhi Ntshingila, a South African female writer, made her literary debut with the accomplished work, Shameless (2008)

BESSIE HEAD (1937 - 1986)

Bessie Head is one of the most celebrated female writers in African history. Her novels and diverse short stories continue to stand the test of time.

Born in South Africa, it was later on in Botswana that she would make her mark as a writer in powerful fashion. Her mother was white, whilst her father was black - a relationship frowned upon in SA during the time.    

A lot of myths have sprung up, surrounding Head, her life, and works. How much of her creative works are autobiographical, for example. Many considered her to be an orphan, but in fact she was taken care of by a number of "mothers" in her youth.      

But there is no doubt about her excellent literary talent. Again though regarded as very poor during her lifetime, she in fact travelled the world many times thanks to her writing prowess.    

Maru "People were horrible to Maru as he could see into their thoughts and feelings, see their very bloodstreams and hear the beating of their hearts".    

A bewitched Crossroad. "A special effort is needed to perceive the different social and religious organisation of these people...the scene setting is heavy going... I can only say that I welcomed a Bewitched Crossroad on my desk with expectations of new discovery and insight, but closed it with a sense of baffled frustration" - Barry Ronge.  

"Bessie Head's short stories have an extraordinary simplicity and breadth of vision, a tolerant acceptance of things as they are, which if applied to an European writer inside the structure  of an European novel, would cause her to be hailed as a new humanist saint, a Tolstoy, a Gorki," - Tribune (England).      

 Published Works

When Rain Clouds Gather (1968)

Maru (1971)

A Question of Power (1973)

Looking for a Rain God (1977)

The Collector of Treasures and Other Botswana Village Tales (1977)

Serowe: Village of the Rain Wind (1981)

A Bewitched Crossroad (1984)

Tales of Tenderness and Power (1989)

A Woman Alone: Autobiographical Writings (1990)

(By Raphael Mokoena)

GRACE OGOT’s Land Without Thunder

A Review By Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga

In reading the short stories of “Land Without Thunder” by Grace Ogot one is likely to get deeply terrified with some of the stories in the book.  Absolutely, it is very appalling to see the world overwhelmed with precarious events that deserve to be blackened.

Unequivocally, the book evinces oodles lessons that are blended with the sentiment of sadness and heroism.  When you realize that an important person can be seriously adored by the significance efforts that he/she did to others, it can be quite breathtaking.  Consequentially, in “The Hero” we see how colleagues become concern about Dr.Sserwadda who was recently admitted in the hospital.  With an immense worry “Jerudine” was candidly hurt and totally shattered by the incident in particular.  “Tell them to save him, tell them please.  He promised me everlasting freedom and happiness.  They have to save him.  Please tell… them…”  Unfortunately, ultimately it was excruciating for the protagonist as Dr.Sserwadda was declared dead.

Another story that also encompasses shocking details is Tekayo.  He’s known as the outstanding hunter who also had honest passion in herding his livestock.  His bravura in hunting is utterly prodigious.  All kind of wild animals were not deleterious to him.  Actually, hunting was his habitual hobby that he regards with great delectation

However, one thing that is surreal about his hunting activity – was, none of the meat of the animal he had killed was congenial to him.  “One night, as he lay awake, he asked himself where else he could hunt.  And what animal would he be looking for?  He had killed all the different animals in the ‘Ghost Jungle’.  He had risked his life when he killed and ate the liver of a lion, a leopard and hyena, all of which were tabooed by his clan.”

Eventually, this bizarre feeling of Tekayo caused him to relinquish his habit of hunting.  And he end up insouciant and engaged on the act of barbaric cannibalism which brew trouble for him.  His inhumane demeanour made him to kill the children and eat their liver and when it was discovered, he immediately commits suicide.

It is absolutely scandalous to see how the children are murdered and abused by their love ones, people whom they trust – parents, Grandparents and community at large.  Currently, children in the world are experiencing an unpleasant situation.  Instead of being loved and protected are raped, murdered and abused.  Child brutality in the world today is augmented in an unacceptable way and solution must be found to curtail it or thwart it completely.   

Patently, children are the future.  Similar acts of child brutality had happened in Nigeria were innocent school girls were abducted by the rebel group Boko Haram.  In Palestine most of the victims of rocket firing by Israel are children, figures showed that 218 Palestinian children have been killed in the conflict so far.  What about South Africa were the desperadoes kidnapped children on the gunpoint and killed them.

Certainly, it is very impressive to read such gargantuan short stories of the one of the prolific female African writer “Land Without Thunder”.  “The Hero” quite honestly is awesome and it provides delectable and sterling quality of knowledge.  It necessary present striking question - as which hero people should look at?  Children need the hero to protect them against bestial rapist and murderers.  The world needs the hero to promote peace and prosperity not detrimental wars.  Haplessly, when the hero demise the people worried because they know that they have lost personage someone.  Think about heroes such as Es’kiaMphahlele, Julius Nyerere, John F Kennedy, Chinua Achebe, Bessie Head, Sol Plaatjie, Nelson Mandela, Kofi Awoonor, Obi Egbuna, Maya Angelou, Nadine Glordimer etc.

Contents

The old white witch

The bamboo hut

The hero

Tekayo

Karantina

The green leaves

The empty basket

The white veil

Land without thunder

The rain came

Night sister

Elizabeth