NMM DUMAN

The South African female writer, NMM Duman received a lot of critical praise for her debut work, Deepest Springs (2010, 2011). Although something of a recluse by nature, the author could not stop the floods of approval that came in the wake of publication of her debut book.

Flaxman Qoopane provides some background information on the writer:  “NMM Duman is the Whole School Evaluation Supervisor, at the Quality Assurance Directorate in the Free State Department of Education in Bloemfontein (South Africa).

She started to write her novel in September 1996. It took her thirteen years to finish the novel in September 2009. She says: “The book originally had 800 pages. When I wanted to publish it, I was told that it was too thick and we decided to publish it to 395 pages.”

The initial South African edition of the novel was launched at the Bloemfontein Public Library in Bloemfontein on 18 June 2010. The cover was designed by Mmamuso Manyo. Duman is the mother of three daughters: Loondo, Xoliswa, and Baraka.

She says her love for creative writing showed itself from a tender age. “I was fortunate to be introduced to reading early in my life. At that time I was 9 years old at Roma in Lesotho. I was attending a class, we had no grades. Every morning we had English workbook. Later we did some kind of literary exercises. I started writing my own stories including the Golden Idol, a story about Tyrannasaurus Rex, invading our school. I made a booklet with pictures.”

She continued: “When I was 12 years old, I wrote more stories; adventure stories, about espionage and love stories. I went to the National University of Lesotho to Study B.Sc, and I studied Masters in Science Education at the University of Southampton in Britain. I stopped writing because I was busy with my studies,” she vouchsafes.

Her parents are retired Professor Mbuyiselo Edward, and Tlhaku Victoria Makhanya. They live at Yellow-wood in Durban. Her father was a Professor in Geography and he lectured at several Universities including Fort Hare, University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland in Manzini, Swaziland and at the National University of Lesotho. Duman’s mother trained as a professional nurse and also as a social worker.

In 1997 Duman joined the Free State Department of Education. “I was employed as the Education Specialist in ABET until 2001. I got promotion to Deputy – Chief Education Specialist until 2009.” Thereafter, she got a transfer to the Quality Assurance Directorate in Department of Education in the Free State, where she is employed as the Whole School Evaluation Supervisor until to date.

Duman was born at Phola Park Benoni, East Rand on 08 December 1965. She is the eldest child; in a family of four children, her sister Mathabo Makhanya – Angura is a medical doctor, and she lives in Roodeport. Her other sister Thembi Makhanya, who was also a Medical Doctor, died in November 2008 in Johannesburg. Her brother, Tshepo Makhanya is an IT Specialist in Durban.”

Mpikeleni Duma in his review of Duman’s major work in the South African national daily, Sowetan, writes:  “It is ironic that a number of literary pundits in the country have been lamenting what they believe is the current dearth of true literary creativity, especially among black women writers in the country

Such pessimists must get a copy of this book pronto and go into raptures!

Not that South Africa has not produced enough international class - or even world class - creative black woman writers over the decades. The list includes Miriam Tlali, Lauretta Ngcobo, Sindiwe Magona and Zoe Wicomb. From nearby Zimbabwe we might also mention Tsitsi Dangarembga and Yvonne Vera.

Now NMM Duman can be mentioned in the same breath as these greats. This is no exaggeration.

The author of this book, Deepest Springs, is an awesome literary talent.

This book might well be the greatest ever love story penned by any African, never mind South African, black female writer…”

O Bolaji writes on the young lady protagonist, Dikeledi. “(She) is a fine young lady compounded of the variegated emotions of our world, and who is very much in love with her man, despite vicissitudes. She can also be self-sacrificing and stoical as in the case where she remains philosophical and reticent about the abuse (beating) she had earlier received.

The hypocrisy of certain traditional beliefs is also evident in this work and it is also a mark of an excellent writer (Duman) that she does not take sides (as a woman)directly. A good example is when they refer to Dikeledi as a “slut” just because she allows her aroused lover to sleep with her before the formal wedding. She was a virgin even then, so why should she be condemned?

That Duman is a polished, creative writer can also be seen from the many occasions when she enters “the mind” of male characters with great conviction (although of course the author is a woman). Like in the case when Dikeledi’s lover after making love muses over why he was behaving like a naïve, uncircumcised nerd! Such strokes clearly show that the author is a master of her craft!...”

Rebaone Motsalane, a lady critic, is perhaps more measured in her appraisal: “The Deepest Springs tells a great love story from an African (black) point of view and is not a westernized version that we see black people have adapted to because of acculturation. It made great sense for someone to come who comes from a rural background and greatly appreciates nature at its best.

The storyline is about two lovers from a rural background whose love survives so much. In the end they beat many trials and tribulations that fate throws at them. But the storyline does not end depending on your views of life. To me it could be about a love story but for the next person it could be about marriage, how traditions put pressure on women and how men expect their women to be in a male dominated society.

It could also be about migrant labourers, how women were and are on their own, keeping the household running when their husbands are too busy providing for their families and ignoring the impact their absence has on their loved ones. This still happens today as women still play the same role keeping the home fires burning while men gallivant in the name of securing better lives for their families.

The story centres on two main characters. One seems too strong (for her own good) It is not surprising, as in real life this is exactly what happens in many marriages. Sometimes women are too strong but tolerate abuse in the name of love and happiness.

Our main character goes through a lot. Most black women will identify with her, especially regarding the expectation and pressures that in-laws put on their daughter in law. This abuse continues for years, as those who were abused in the early stages of their married life as makoti (daughter-in-laws) treat their sons’ wives with the same bitterness and hurl the same insults at them.

This book is a must read for mother and daughter-in-laws to be a mirror to them of how physical or emotional abuse can have a long lasting effect and also for husbands to take the much needed courage to stop the abuse hurled at wives”.