BAROLONG SEBONI (Botswana)

By M I Soqaga

Essentially, Africa has the endearing quality of fascinating writers who write with dazzling enthusiasm.  African literature as part and parcel of global literature has been excellently riveting.  Obviously, it is definitely congenial to see literature from Africa vie for any major literary award in the world. 

Although, the famous Prize in Literature has been bestowed to illustrious African writer “Professor”Wole Soyinka in 1986, nevertheless frequent questions concerning this prestigious award have been asked-as why African writers could not be conferred with the Prize after 1986.  Absolutely, Soyinka deserved incredible recognition in the world of letters.  However, the question will invariable be ineluctable, because at this present moment Africa has pre-eminent writers who unanimously qualify to be recognized internationally.

Apparently, it is importantly gratifying to see large amount of African writers with their intriguing voluminous work of literature.  Moreover, seeing such works-been globally recognised, surely it is the great fillip.  A writer of the calibre of Barolong Seboni is absolutely superb.  

Indeed his contributions to literature is fantastic.  First and foremost, it will be erroneous to avoid mentioning Mama Bessie Head especially when you write about Botswana literature.   Her works blossomed in Botswana and she remained an inspiration as the one of the few female catalyst of African literature. 

Botswana poet and academic “Barolong Seboni” has been doing exceptionally great in literature.  Magnificently, he is the one of the few African academic writers whose works is colourfully stunning.  What is disappointingly astonishing about African academics, especially writers is their stereotype colonial mentality which they still adhere to even today.  Academics would think they are only people who possess requisite skill in society.   

Books produced by academics are only scant in the grassroots because they are only confine to certain individuals.   Academics need to emancipate themselves from obsolete notion of colonial times which used to emphasise that they (academics) are the only educated people in society.  Today people are familiar with writing; they can easily read newspapers, magazines and books.  But with writers of great integrity who are academically unparalleled like Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Es’kia Mphahlele, ZakesMda, Ama Ata Aidoo, NgugiwaThiong’o, Buchi Emechete, Ayi kwei Armah, Taban lo Liyong,Okot p’ bitek, Chinweizu Ibekwe,Sedar Senghor etc. are prodigiously enthralling literary aficionados with great glee.  Furthermore, their works are glaringly showcases in public libraries, universities and government libraries in order to be relish by general population in the world.

Barolong Seboni is such an enchanting academic who brilliantly writes in particular for people.  In the decades after Head’s death, a number of newer Botswana poets and novelists have appeared, many of whom also provide commentary on Batswana values, social injustice, and discrimination. 

Poet BarolongSeboni, for instance, spent his formative years in London, where, through contacts with southern African writers and refugees, he “caught the revolutionary spirit that was then blowing across southern Africa in search of self-determination and self-actualization.”Born in Kanye, Botswana, he received his BA from the University of Botswana and his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  

Impressively, he has translated Botswana proverbs into English.  He also had a column in the Botswana Guardian and has done work in other mediums including radio.