African Renaissance Anti-Clockwise (Book)
Written by Pule Lebuso
(First published February 2001)
Review by Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga
I’ve been reading Pule Lebuso's book, African Renaissance
Anti- Clockwise and I dramatically find it fascinating and interesting
to read. Significantly I can add that the book is one of the fine books to be written by an African writer. The author’s belief is very imperative as it cerebrally challenges the reader and essentially provides transcendent
debate about African Renaissance. In my
opinion I could recommend that the book needs to be read with a glaring
consciousness rather with a myopic apprehension that will cause defectiveness
into realising the actual belief of the writer.
Of course the book is non-fiction, however it comprises serious
quiz about African values and culture.
Honestly, as an African I am very enthusiastic to see
the book being a success in this wise, because it is not easy to find books
like this being accepted by the powers-that-be in particular in Africa where leaders
are not phlegmatic. As far as I know and
I think is ubiquitous in Africa to see leaders shrug off the idea of being
excoriated and commonly believe that whatever ideas they come with must be
unanimously congenial to all. In fact
some leaders of Africa invariably hold their own beliefs as absolute and they do not expect
to be critiqued. For certain times we
see the very same independent African states being intolerant to
criticism. Sporadically, writers will be
incarcerated without trial just because they write something which the state
doesn’t want. Sublime writers like Wole
Soyinka, Jack Mapanje, Ngungi etc all experienced the same persecution and
unscrupulous treatment from their governments.
Fortunately there is a need to applaud with great
felicity to see the book African
Renaissance Anti-Clockwise survived such treacherous treatment. The book is phenomenal for Africa and its
inhabitants. The manner, in which the
author elucidates his belief, verily evinces explicitly his proficiency that he is a veritable writer. Unlike writers
who will only anticipate and appreciate what the authority is saying and write
without quizzical or analyzing the concept comprehensive. Overall, the book by Lebuso gives courage and
motivation that writers should not only think about writing to be loved and
seek favour from the men who are in power.
Writers by obligation are assigned to ventilate their opinion freely and
produce genuine literature that is fair and arresting.
the late Mr Lebuso as an ardent African who was passionately fond
about Africa and its culture never allows being allured by the concept of
African Renaissance while African values are in limbo and malpractice. He strongly questions democracy which
according to him affects African values and culture. Primarily, he based his argument on the
decline of family values of Africa and the lack of discipline among the
Africans. Although he is not antagonistic
towards democracy but albeit, he is strongly discontented with its insipid and
sub-standard practice. Mainly, he
emphasised that democracy advocates certain rights of other people like women
and children and neglects men’s rights.
To reiterate; the book is not a fiction but its main point is based on
democratic South Africa which is the strong proponent of 'African
Renaissance'.
Specifically, Lebuso apparently believes that men (as opposed to women) have no place in
a democratic society as his rights are wholly suppressed and not
recognized. This is what he narrates in
the “General Introduction” of his book.
“I am getting worried when I see so many children living in such
terrible conditions especially nowadays for they are being abandoned mostly by
Fathers because of an obvious reason:
Men being denied their rights of parenthood.” Lebuso make us to look on these things very
seriously and apparently what is saying is what is happening. Did democracy bring a change that is
satisfactory among the people of Africa or it is another force that intends to
eliminate Africa? However, what is
extraordinary about the author is his brilliant savvy which he displays with
great prowess, to include other people's views over the issue of African
Renaissance in his book.
Moreover, in the book we read how the author conducted
his interviews to find more from the people regarding the idea of African
Renaissance. In fact the interviews are
necessarily exquisite as we see how people express their opinion
unequivocally. This range of interviews took
place from different places, public place, shebeen, with men, women, young and
old furnishing superlative answers about African Renaissance. All responded with gusto to questions
Mr Lebuso so eager to hear.
(A few excerpts)
Preliminary Conversation
Q Mr Mbena, could you please explain what you understand by
African culture?
A By African
culture I understand a culture of discipline when a child was a child and a
woman a woman, when a man was a man not a ‘child’ like today.
African Renaissance Conversation
LEBUSO (sitting
beside two rather young ladies – greetings)
My sisters, can you believe I’m going around asking
for people’s views on ‘African Renaissance’ what do you feel?
First Lady: (pausing) African Renaissance. That thing of our president? I’m not sure I have thought seriously about
it; life is about struggle.
Second Lady: Come on!
Surely you must have an opinion.
I mean. To me the aspect is all
about the best features of original African culture. Maybe you might call it ubuntu. Like in the old days, our people hardly
indulged in crimes. Human life was
sacred. Strangers were welcomed into
every house – there was fun. Now, we are
all scared of strangers. It’s tougher
for we women, as we might be molested or abused. If we can go back to the past there will be
human dignity. At least much better than
nowadays.
Final Conversation
LEBUSO: Negritude?
BOLAJI: Yes, quite a number of decades ago beloved,
in Francophone countries here in Africa there was thing intriguing movement called
negritude. Pride in our past, our
heritage, culture, that sort of thing.
Great writers like the late Leopold Senghor, Camara Laye, etc.
contributed greatly to this movement.
Pan African movements meeting were organized.
African Renaissance Anti-Clockwise has something
important and stupendous to offer. To
divulge further; it is a book that adapts with times. The book is logical and outstanding. The book is the profound example of how
writers should be and think. Although
colonialism had done great damage to Africa it does not mean that facts must be
ignored about our own African leaders who are corrupt and uncaring about
Africa.
It is important to apprehend
that independence of African continent need not to be view as an Alpha and Omega
or some sort of Manna from Heaven. It
should be known that writing in Africa never began with the advent of
colonialism and it never ultimately ends with the eventual dismantling of
colonialism. Therefore writers through
their hard work should not expect things will always be as good as anticipated
, but they should be consciously ready for any
circumstances, whether good or bad, even to face prison if it is possible
- just for the love of words.
Africa, I
believe, must be gladly delightful at what many pundits will consider to be a magnum opus book - i.e
African
Renaissance Anti-Clockwise by Pule Lebuso.
