HEIDI HOLLAND (South Africa)

By O Bolaji

In her pomp, the late SA writer, Heidi Holland was one of the outstanding wordsmiths in the world, even if she was primarily seen as a top notch journalist. She however wrote a number of very impressive books that scholars and researchers continue to revel in. 

Whilst, unlike a white writer like Nadine Gordimer- also a South African - who made her name thanks to creative works, Heidi was also remarkable in her own way. Like Gordime she displayed a lot of allegiance and commitment to pristine African beliefs and mores, and general history, in her own work.  Heidi was painstaking and meticulous in her writings, and the template of research she did was unassailable.

All this is reflected in the major works she wrote and published. Her most famous work of course was the book, Dinner with Mugabe, but she published much more, with a lot of quality and reinforced punctilio running through her writings.  She was never scared of controversy - but here our main concern is her major works.

In Dinner with Mugabe the author goes down memory lane to the 70s when she first met Robert Mugabe, as a friend brought him to her house for a secret dinner as he was about to leave the country to fight the white minority government of Rhodesia during the Bush War. Mme Holland much later on would secure an interview with Mugabe as Zimbabwean president in December 2007. ‘In the book Holland explores the transformation of the man she met in 1975 with his present state. She also looks at his relationships with those such as his first wife, Sally, Lord Soames, the last British Governor; Denis Norman, a white farmer who held several portfolios in his early governments as well as with Ian Smith, the last Prime Minister of Rhodesia. She also questions the President on controversial issues such as Gukurahundi and land reform in Zimbabwe.’

Holland’s book, African Magic :Traditional Ideas That Heal a Continent, explores Sub Saharan Africa's natural philosophies, looking at ways healers have used intricate traditional belief systems to deal with things such as medical and marital issues.

Her award-winning work, The Colour of Murder is multi-layered, quite gripping, and brilliant. It is a South Africa-based true crime investigation of racism and violence. In the book she explores 'the controversial family dynamics and racial politics of the white South African Van Schoor family. She focuses on the patriarch Louis Van Schoor, a former East London security guard who is alleged to have shot over a hundred black people during apartheid.' Intriguingly, there is his daughter Sabrina Van Schoor, who made friends in the coloured community as a child (to her parents' disapproval) and later gave birth to a coloured child, Tatum. In 2001 she ordered a hitman to kill her mother, Beverley, on the grounds that she was a racist! Holland won a Pulitzer prize for this outstanding work.

Holland’s book, Born in Soweto echoes the way Soweto in South Africa has always fascinated many all over the world, with many impressive books having been published based on the terrain (Miriam Tlali’s for example). The book – illustrated - is a description of life told by Soweto's residents. 

In The Struggle: A History of the African National Congress  the author explores the peaceful and violent protestations of the political party against racial discrimination. She also looks at the communist ties of the party as well as the roots of apartheid ideology. The work was another roaring success. adding cubits to the author’s reputation.

Other works

From Jo'Burg to Jozi

100 years of struggle: Mandela’s ANC

References

Wikipedia (see Heidi Holland)

Glimpses into African Literature. I M Soqaga. 2015

ELLEN BANDA-AAKU (Zambia)

By I. M Soqaga

An award winning female African writer Ellen Banda-Aaku is one of the preeminent female literary figures who continue to produce resounding literature in Africa.  Her writing prowess is engrossing - transporting literary aficionados to the realms of ecstatic excitement.  Candidly, her enormous contribution in literature is explicitly riveting.

It is gratifying to see a writer especially a woman African writer demonstrating her literary prowess with such colossal zeal.  Despite the fact that she began her literary journey late at 30s in her life, however what is generally amazing is how she managed to blossom rapidly in literature.  In a noteworthy interview she expounded that “I saw a call for submissions for writers for children so I put something together and submitted.  It was my first writing and it got published by Macmillan publishers as a winner of the Macmillan Writer’s Prize for Africa.”

In Ellen, Africa can see a noble favour as she was not tentatively being allured by procuring literary Prizes, but instead she realised her potential knack and aspirations, hence she is proliferating as an excellent writer.  If one will ponder her academic rung which is equally impressive, one will flimsily ponder as to why Ellen could not be overweening probably to indulge in hedonistic lifestyle and enjoy her academic achievement like many academic do.  Nevertheless, the opposite is that Ellen Banda is the versatile female African writer who is imbued with ardent love for literature.   

This of course it must be a huge-imperative lesson to many people of Africa and the world.  In particular Africa cannot anticipate a situation where literature is totally absent.  The question which Africans must always be concern about especially about literature is how books and writers must be produced.  Africa need writers who will make sure that its people are absolutely attached to the artistically pulchritude of literature.  It cannot make any practical sense for any writer emanating from any nation in the world to write outside the confine of his/her country.  Obvious, Ellen Banda deserved credible recognition by the sterling work she is doing in particular in diffusing literature in Africa through workshops that buttresses creative writing.

To emphasise, many African writers who produced quintessential literature generated their works in African context.  As the concentration here is based on female African writer (Ellen Banda), Africa and the world need to be essentially informed that writers of the calibre of Miriam Tlali, Bessie Head, Zulu Sofola, BuchiEmechete, Ama Ata Aidoo, Grace Ogot, Mariama Ba etc writes for Africa and the world.  Therefore, it is not harrowing but rather exciting to see another brilliant generation of female African writers continue to write considerable for Africa and the world.  I speak about Chimamanda NgoziAdichie, Noviolet Bulawayo, Aminatta Forna etc.

Moreover, lot can be mentioned and expounded about African female literary wordsmith.  To recall Tsitsi Dangarembga has been splendid in producing appealing literature.  In his essay titled “Two great Zimbabwean female writers” Peter Moroe a literary critic who has published several articles on black African literature wrote with an outstanding glee about two female Zimbabwean African writers “Tsitsi Dangerembga and Yvonne Vera.  His essay is array systematically as he based his concentration on each writer respectively.  Moroe informed the world that apart from Tsitsi literary achievement such as being involved in drama and publishing a play called “She Does Not Weep.”  It was however her superb novel, Nervous Conditions that made her world famous; winning her the African section of the Commonwealth Writers Prize in 1989.  The book was the first (English novel) ever written by a black Zimbabwean women.

On Vera, Moroe highlighted that “It is thus no surprise that Vera’s works continue to be studied and celebrated in literary circles world wide.  It is generally agreed that she never shied away from writing about so-called “taboo” subjects.  She had a strict writing regimen which she adhered to, and in all senses of the word she could be called a “professional writer.”

Significantly, since from the onset, Africa has been gifted with the number of extraordinary female writers and Ellen Banda constitute pivotal part of those veritable writers who over the years writes bydisplaying great erudition in their works.  Born in UK but her fame and literary works flourish in Africa, she is a very conversant African women writer who travelled and studies in many African countries.  Essentially, she is the writer of children books, short story writer and novelist-very fond to children and she has garnered prestigious awards including the accolade for her magnum opus novel “Patchwork”.

Published works of Ellen Banda-Aaku

Novels

·         Patchwork, Penguin Publishers, South Africa, 2011. ISBN 978-0-14-352753-4

·         Madam 1st Lady, 2016.

Short stories

·         "Sozi’s Box" (winner of the 2007 Commonwealth Short Story Competition). Published in Cousin’s Across the Seas, Phoenix Education, Australia. ISBN 978-1-921085-73-4

·         "Lost", in Jambula Tree and other stories, The Caine Prize for African Writing, 8th Annual Collection, Jacana Press, South Africa. ISBN 978-1-904456-73-5

·         "Made of Mukwa", in The Bed Book of Short Stories, Modjaji Press, South Africa. ISBN 978-1-920397-31-9

·         "Ngomwa", in African Women Writing Resistance: Contemporary Voices, Wisconsin Press, USA. ISBN 978-0-299-23664-9

Books for children

·         Wandi’s Little Voice, Macmillan Educational Publishers, UK, 2004. ISBN 978-1-4050-6040-0

·         Yours Faithfully Yogi, East African Educational Publishers, Kenya, 2008. ISBN 978-9966-25-556-3

·         Twelve Months, Oxford University Press, Kenya, 2010. ISBN 978-0-19-573609-0

·         Lula & Lebo, Head and Shoulders, Puo Publishing, South Africa. ISBN 978-0-9814386-7-2

·         E is for e-waste, Worldreader, online publication.

·         Sula and Ja, FarafinaTuuti (Kachifo Limited) and Worldreader.

SHEHU SANI (Nigeria)

 

From all accounts, Nigeria’s Shehu Sani (above) is a much respected politician and principled human rights’ activist. Like the southern African bard, Denis Brutus in the past, Sani has been incarcerated for his commitment. Yet Shehu Sani, a fascinating individual, to the delight of aficionados of African literature, is also an adroit, skilled, versatile and prolific writer

Apparently, in many cases especially in Africa literature is yet not regarded as something that is considerably significant.  Utterly, it is not surprising to fathom about the fact that literature for obvious reasons have been proscribed to proliferate in order to gainsay its influence in Africa.

If one can reminisce about the past colonial situation in Africa patently you will be totally convinced that literature has been sensational in Africa.  During the epoch of colonialism in Africa literature was inspiring and was dynamically outstanding. In that period literature was tractable and essentially exhilarating because African writers were very influential and the wide readership was also pliant to such arresting literature.  That’s why works like “Things Fall Apart” by the renowned African wordsmith Chinua Achebe cannot efface from the limelight.

However, in contrast today Africa experiences hiatus in literature.  Such situation apparently attracts many questions as why literature in the past was affectionately appreciated by the wide population in Africa and the world.  In contrary, what is happening today in African literature is completely incoherent.  Why literature needs to be regarded as minatory and venomous danger by certain Africans especially those who are in power?  To ponder the past remarkable literary achievement, surely one will induce that African literature has unalloyed reached an absolute apex in literature.  However, the simple reality is that African literature is retrograding and its detractors are those who used to employ the slogan freedom, freedom, freedom to woo the beautiful African masses for political support

Hence the significance of politician/writers like Shehu Sani.  Yes, to highlight it is obviously disappointing to see literature in Africa stagnant and being abashedly enjoyed by the tiny well-off population.  Why the present generation is not plunge into literature?  Why we have a situation where Africans are not committed in advancing veritable literature?  Or the present situation is affected by the lack of emancipation from colonial stereotype standpoint? Africa cannot afford to have a situation where education is not playing a meaningful role in the lives of its people.

In fact Europe is an exquisite example to consider, especially by making comparative analysis. Europe also emanates from benighted era in history; however it is amazing to learn how it magnificently develops over the years.  Its noteworthy vigorous commitment is clearly showed that Europe for many years was and is completely sedulous even to somewhat that its people are dearly passionate to literature.  For instance, sapient figures like Plato and Aristotle although they lived many millenniums and centuries ago but their artistically fame is strongly appreciated by many people in Europe and the world at large.

Moreover, another sordid colonial stereotype mindset which is extant among the Africans is the incorrect tenet that is mischievous.  You will find that one when is attending a school will solely focus his/her attention on what he/she is doing in school.  This is a colonial tenet which is entrenched since the founding of European schools in Africa.  Aristotle is respected by his remarkable intelligent and the philosophy he achieved through learning.  His main interests were Biology, Zoology, Physics, Metaphysics, Logic, Ethics, Rhetoric, Music, Poetry, Theatre, Politics, and Government.  Aren’t Winston Churchill, Lenin, Karl Marx etc not writers who were politicians?

But Africa has never lacked notable wordsmiths who are immerse in politics.  Kwame Nkrumah, Ebu Egbuna, Sol Plaatje, Mazisi Kunene, Agostinho Neto, Steve Biko, Leopold Senghor, Amilcar Cabral, Frantz Fanon, and of course Shehu Sani etc are popular politicians in Africa.   In fact Sani has been dramatically impressive as he has produced quintessential African literature.  Apart from politics Shehu Sani is a prolific author and playwright and poet and moreover he is an award literary winner.  Of course Shehu has displayed a colourful literary prowess cum with literary dexterity.

Grippingly, it is quite breathtaking for an African writer like Shehu to write such books while in his political life he suffered such daunting blows.  Till date, Shehu Sani has been the recipient of several awards and honours; he was honoured by the English Literary Association of ABU, Zaria, awarded a Honorary Degree by Institute of Continuous Education, Inducted into the Hall of Fame by Association of Nigerian Authors etc.  Actually it will be wholesome to see the generation of Africa bolster literature by making and writing studies about African literary moguls.  Like Sani, the continent needs to know about their sublime wordsmiths who continue to write with admirable commitment..

Pleasingly although Africa is surrounded by grisly challenges, but definitely there is a hope that mother Africa will perpetually do its optimal best to underpin African literature.  Africa has to look to the writers of the stature of Shehu Sani with profound attention.  Notably, Africans need also to be fond of literature to avoid a situation where ignoramus colonial stereotype to actually continue to be a nuisance obstacle for literature to sour in Africa.  Noticeably, Africa of today is not like Africa of yesterday, today there are more opportunities like before therefore it will be imperatively sagacious for Africans to seize this opportunity and plunge into literature with great enthusiasm.

- By I. M Soqaga (South Africa)

BIBLIOGRAPHY (Shehu Sani)

Killing Fields, 2007

Poverty in Northern Nigeria

Political Assassination in Nigeria, 2007

Youth as vanguard in the Battle against corruption

Scorpion under pillow, 2007

Civilian dictators of Africa,

Always wrong, can Yar’adua get it right, 2009

Betrayal and Society, 2009

The Children of Kaduna, 2011

The Children of Jos, 2011

Protest and Freedom, 2012

Rebellious ideas, 2013

Nigeria and Ethiopia: An analysis of historical ties, 2013

Hatred for Black People

Prison anthology, 2007 (poetry)

The poem of peace in the season of bloodshed

Phantom Crescent, 2009 (play)

Thugs at the Helm (play)

VONANI BILA (South Africa)

By IM Soqaga

Bilakhulu, a newly minted poetic book by Vonani Bila is already dazzling and attracting colossal number of literary aficionados.  Literary pundits have since highlighted that this is another triumph by the author; as witness:

“Vonani Bila’s voice in Bilakhulu! is as buoyant and direct as ever; his emotional range is broad, incorporating humour and lament. These seven narrative poems, ranging from three to 35 pages in length, are grounded in the poet’s family and village, but at the same time making visible the wider forces that impinge on rural life. They are engaging and politically outspoken yet personal, and filled with vitality and humour.”

Bila is a multifaceted, vigorous and prolific outstanding bard whose proud origins hack back to the Limpopo province (South Africa).  His latest remarkable book of poetry Bilakhulu which is his latest offering in a glittering career is published by Deep South Publishing.

Over the years, Bila’s contribution to literature has earned him an enormous respect in the world as the bard who has the powerful gift to write in English and in African indigenous languages.  Moreover, he constantly endows his community with profound assistance, as he is the founder and editor of the Timbila poetry journal and directs the Timbila poetry project, editing newspaper Community Gazette and working with schools and other institutions.  He has been instrumental in getting the works of rather marginalised poets into circulation, and has been a nurturing inspiration for aspiring poets, holding workshops and actively encouraging new voices.

Bila’s proverbial works which embody African pride are significant in the sense that they have facilitated and promoted quintessential literature amongst African people.  Centrally, he is widely known as an intriguing voice of the African people, proud of his rural background.  Tentatively, he may sometimes be mistakenly considered as someone who might have “negative” ideas about social or political issues in his country.  Also to somewhat his poetical expression can also be viewed as some sort of antagonism towards the democratic government in South Africa.

However, a broad minded reader who is au fait with Bila work’s of poetry will simply fathom that Bila poems touches genuine aspects of life.  From a Pan African perspective Bila can be regarded as a courageous bard who might not necessarily concur with halcyon equanimity which in actual fact does not exist. 

Arguably Bila might even hardly be accepted in certain countries of Africa because of his honest unequivocal expression about the woeful malady that wreaks havoc in so many of our African societies  His poems contain essential messages that are pertinent in our societal context.  Rhetoric and delusional political promises, good moral conduct and rural improvement are some of his concerns in his poetry.  Below are some excerpts of his riveting poems:

Beautiful Daughter

Beautiful daughter
Stop walking at night
It's too dark
There's no light in this land
The sun has long died
You'll be pricked by thorns
Fall into a donga

Beautiful daughter
This morning eagles discovered her
Your petite friend with brazen long hair
The girl with dark-liquid eyes
Song-bird, leader of the church choir
Eagles discovered her this morning
Lying in a pool of blood
Skirt torn apart, a rag
Her throat throttled
Her sharp, pointed breasts missing
Virgin girl, now a frozen corpse
No white sheet nor blanket
To cover her disfigured body

In the name of Amandla 

In the name of Amandla
Tell me what has changed in this village
There's no food in the kitchen
Bare children with chapped lips can't go to school
Another hungry child knocked down by a rich man's car
The child is gone, the rich man contributed a cheap coffin
Everyone thought he would rot in prison.
It's winter, the school has no desks, textbooks & windows
Our leaders send their children to private schools
Ask them

Bila will always be the embodiment of African pride that earnestly hankers for development of his own African people.  His extraordinary literary prowess needs to be recognized as engrossing.  For the fact that he can brilliantly write in African languages, Bila a poet writing in English and Tsonga has authored at least eight storybooks in English, Northern Sotho and Tsonga for newly literate adult reader.  Obvious Bila must be a figure to be reckoned with in making sure that African languages are popularly supported.

Protagonists like Bila can also be used to translate African indigenous literature into English.  Bila has performed his poetry in Africa and abroad and some of his best poems have been translated into different languages of the world.  Bila has performed in Belgium, Sweden, Holland, Ghana and Brazil. In 2005, he was nominated for the Daimler Chrysler 2005 South Africa Poetry Award.

Africans should be vividly audacious and be keenly inspired by fascinating literary works of Bila’s poetry.  Africa as big as it is, also has a huge number of countless writers who also write in their mother tongue.  It will be beneficial therefore for millions of inhabitants of Africa to get access to this precious literary material view translation. 

For the benefit of literacy, Africa with its sublime indigenous writers can bring another groundbreaking experience by making sure that indigenous books produced by African writers are translated into languages of the West that are used in Africa like French, Portuguese, English and Arabic too.  Consequentially, indigenous African writers need to ponder the availability of modern technology as an opportunity to disseminate literature throughout Africa and beyond its borders.

Bila’s impressive literary odyssey continues...

Works by Bila

Handsome Jita : selected poems by Fred Vonani Bila

I love Ohazurike

In the name of Amandla

Magicstan fires

Pension money

The girl with a golden tooth

Magweya

Mali ya mudende

Bilakhulu! : longer poems by Fred Vonani Bila