ES'KIA MPHAHLELE DIES

ES’KIA MPHAHLELE DIES

By Peter Moroe

The literary community in South Africa and the world in general is reeling after the demise of Es’kia (Ezekiel) Mphahlele, one of the all-time greats of African literature. Cliches and superlatives are often carelessly used to describe certain people, but Ntate Mphahlele was a veritable giant in the world of literature and letters. His prolific publications included books and essays (including critical articles). In fact the National English Literary Museum in Grahamstown has hundreds of articles written on the works of this great man.

The achievements of Es’kia Mphahlele were such that by the late 60s he was already regarded as one of the greats of African writing! We recall that the late Richard Rive (in an interview) described Es’kia decades ago as “the grand old man of African literature”. By this time Es’kia had already published excellent works, including the classic, Down Second Avenue.

Just as Chinua Achebe (for example) will always be remembered for publishing Things fall apart, so would many continue to remember Es’kia for the work, Down Second Avenue. In the book, we follow the progress of the young literary prodigy from infancy, with his love for words and his burgeoning proficiency in the English and Afrikaans languages. We realize the great importance and selflessness of “African mothers” in general; and how people could survive despite daunting odds.

We also appreciate the author’s controlled humour. For example when at the end of his tether with an arrogant white lady always referring to him as “boy” (although he was very much a grown man then) Es’kia retorts: “What makes you think I am a boy, and not a girl?” This type of humour - in tow with his always impeccable (literary) style- is a characteristic of virtually all his works.

In the field of fiction, Es’kia contributed to African fiction with excellent works like The Wanderers, and Chirundu. The Wanderers focuses on a peripatetic émigré (rather like the author) who lived in different continents and countries. The work won important awards and still makes interesting reading.

Back to autobiography, (like his Down Second Avenue) Es’kia published a sequel to his first classic, titled, Africa my Music. This book is a must for all lovers of African literature in general, especially the key writers over the decades. Es’kia was personal friends with most of them and it is fascinating reading about when these writers were all quite young – and Es’kia’s astute comments on them. These writers include Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Chinua Achebe, Efua T Sutherland, and Ama Ata Aidoo.

For many years (before he began to write novels) Es’kia was known as a powerful short story writer. Early in life against all odds he published his first collection of short stories, Man must live (in the 40s) The book was fairly successful – and he went on to write many more including acclaimed novellas like Ms Plum. Other collections included In Corner B. And need we mention Es’kia’s successful stint at Drum magazine decades ago when he contributed many excellent short stories?

As for Eskia’s contributions to the genre of literary criticism and scholarship – one is not qualified to go into this. Suffice it to say that he was revered worldwide for his erudition and proficiency. The “ES’KIA” books (containing most of his critical essays) will remain an indelible tribute to him.

Rest in peace, Es’kia Mphahlele.