ATO QUAYSON (Ghana)

Ato Quayson - a revered African academic and critic

By M. I Soqaga

Think of the best of Ghanaian literature or writing; and many automatically latch on to the likes of Kofi Awoonor, Ayi Kwei Armah, Ama Ata Aidoo...but others like Ato Quayson are world class too.

It is categorically not surprising to see African literature flourishing so considerably in the world of letters today.  Actually its optimal influence and popularity in the world is completely fascinating.  Obviously, from the outset African literature subsisted as a result of enormous diligence and invaluable efforts which African writers have shown over the years.

To accentuate, Africa has passed through the uphill situation or period were things were thoroughly unwholesome.  Sometimes, in the past Africans were mistakenly degraded as barbaric animals that cannot do things independently.  Specifically, the situation and delusion-myopic theory which linked Africans with cannibalism, was utterly proven erroneous by the African themselves, through their nifty efforts.

To reminisce, inevitable about “Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe, certainly one will always be inspired.  The illustrious book caused even the belligerent adversaries of Africa to re-examine their belief concerning African people.  Chinua Achebe deserved much kudos because of his remarkable efforts and many other gem of African writing too.  The eminent prominence of African wordsmith breathtakingly influenced the near-sighted detractors of Africa to retract their uninviting belief.

What about today?  Many of us, we are completely impressed by the world where human beings are equally recognised, where things like books are readily available and accessible.  Absolutely, Ato Quayson serves as a consummate example.  Ato is the pre-eminent academic and critic.  One thing should be realised is that African academics are not alike.  For instance, there are those who understand the situation which is pertinent to Africa.  Frequently, you will see them write books of fiction, poetry, essays, criticism etc.  In addition, their dazzling books and their literary contribution are more familiar to the people.  Ato Quayson is such kind of outstanding African writer.  Unlike overweening academic African writers whose artistic works are curtail to certain people and are subsequently unpopular.  Africa although it has achieved world recognition but developmentally is gradually progressing.  Lack of literacy, civil wars, brutal violation of human rights and dearth of many other important things apposite for human survival are actually procrastinating headway in Africa.  Without books, education, technology, schools, teacher’s etc Africa will demise and be depreciating to debris of ashes. 

Of course Ato Quayson literary contribution which is simultaneously cum with his profound erudition is dramatically awesome.  Definitely, he is one of the exceptional African writers who deserved countless compliments.  His striking book’s, essays and so on are idyllically ravishing.  Certainly, Africa should count itself fortunate to have arresting writers like Ato Quayson. 

Books

·         Oxford Street, Accra: City Life and the Itineraries of Transnationalism, Duke University Press, 2014. Draws on a variety of concepts and disciplines such as anthropology, urban geography, literary theory, and spatial theory to retell the history of Accra from the perspective of a single street from the 1650s to the present day — the first such interdisciplinary study or urban life African urban studies.

·         Cambridge History of Postcolonial Literature, 2 vols, ed. Cambridge University Press, 2012. The first attempt at bringing together essays dealing with the literary history of postcolonial studies, with 42 contributors covering a wide range of topics, divided equally between geographical topics (Postcolonialism and Arab Literature; Postcolonial Literature in Latin America; Canadian Writing and Postcolonialism) and thematic ones (Indigenous Writing in Canada; Orality and the Genres of African Writing; Postcolonial Auto/Biography).

·         Aesthetic Nervousness: Disability and the Crisis of Representation, Columbia University Press, 2007. Focusing primarily on the work of Samuel Beckett, Toni Morrison, Wole Soyinka, and J. M. Coetzee, the book launches a thoroughly cross-cultural and interdisciplinary study of the representation of physical disability. The first book to fully bring Euro-American writers alongside postcolonial ones for a discussion of the ubiquitous trope of disability, it is now an acknowledged classic in the fields of disability and postcolonial studies, and chapters from it have been anthologized in various collections.

·         Strategic Transformations in Nigerian Writing: Orality and History in Rev Samuel Johnson, Amos Tutuola, Wole Soyinka and Ben Okri. Oxford and Bloomington: James Currey and Indiana University Press, 1997. Seeking to trace Nigerian literary history from the perspective of a Yoruba matrix of cultural resources that informed the work of the writers in the title, the book fundamentally critiqued a by-then standard idea in the field that there was a natural relationship between orality and literacy in the work of African writers and rather argued that the presence of orality in African literature was due to the exercise of strategic aesthetic choices, some of which had nothing to do with orality but more to do with the pressures of identity-formation in the evolving nation-state that is Nigeria. The book has gone on to become a classic and is to be found in all African literature survey courses worldwide.

·         Blackwell Companion to Diaspora and Transnationalism, ed. with Girish Daswani, New York: Blackwell, 2013. A co-edited volume that brings together for the first time essays dealing with both diaspora and transnationalism, normally kept apart in the literature. It clears the ground for seeing the two as mutually interrelated for our understanding of multi-ethnic liberal polities that have been shaped by the presence of diasporic communities.

·         The Cambridge Companion to the Postcolonial Novel (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2016)

·         Oxford Street, Accra; Urban Evolution, Street Life and Itineraries of the Transnational (Duke University Press, 2014).

·         Blackwell Companion to Diaspora and Transnationalism Studies (with Girish Daswani; New York: Blackwell, 2013).

·         The Cambridge History of Postcolonial Literature, 2 volumes (Cambridge University Press, 2012).

·         Labour Migration, Human Trafficking and Multinational Corporations (with Antonela Arhin; New York: Routledge, 2012).

·         Fathers and Daughters: An Anthology of Exploration (Oxford: Ayebia Publishers, 2008).

·         Aesthetic Nervousness: Disability and the Crisis of Representation (New York: Columbia University Press, 2007).

·         African Literature: An Anthology of Theory and Criticism (with Tejumola Olaniyan; Oxford: Blackwell, 2007).

·         Calibrations: Reading for the Social (Minneapolis: Minnesota University Press, 2003).

·         Relocating Postcolonialism (with David Theo Goldberg; Oxford: Blackwell, 2002).

·         Postcolonialism: Theory, Practice or Process? (Oxford: Blackwell, 2000).

·         Strategic Transformations in Nigerian Writing (Oxford and Bloomington: James Currey and Indiana University Press, 1997).

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.

TENDAI HUCHU (Zimbabwe)

By IM SOQAGA

So far as world literature is concerned, African literature has featured successfully in the world of letters.  Unanimously, literary pundits have commended African literature as one of the extraordinary dimension in the world.  From inception, African modern literature has been profoundly impressive.  

As many will consent and will of course recall how over the years African writers have contributed imperatively in popularising African literature in the world.  Chinua Achebe Things Fall Apart, The Interpreters by Wole Soyinka, The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet born by Ayi Kwei Armha, Es’kia Mphahlele Down Second Avenue, Peter Abrahams Mine Boy,  Weep Not, Child by Ngugi wa Thiong’o, God’s Bits of  Wood by Ousmane Sembene to name but few-hypnotize the world exceedingly.

On the other hand African female contemporary writers have concurrently contributed enormously immaculate in African literature.  African mothers like Bessie Head, Grace Ogot, Buchi Emechete, Ama Ata Aido, Mariama Ba, Lauretta Ngcobo etc.  Can any shun the spectacular achievement that will invariable remain an awesome inspiration?  In 1986 Professor Wole Soyinka became the first Black African writer to be conferred with the prestigious Noble Prize in Literature.

Apparently, it is gratifying to see young writers continuing to do excellent in advocating African literature.  The current situation which is the digital era is probably daunting.  The influence of modern technology is very potent and it can be adverse if it is not use appropriate.  Many people in the world today rely on technology, in schools technology is part of the school curriculum. 

Fundamentally, students need to fathom and grasp this opportunity and be familiar with the technique of using technology for relevant purpose.  Internet provides requisite researches for the empowerment of the mind.  Inevitable, many schools in Africa are still following the old method of colonial type of education.  For example, it is hardly to found African books written by African writers being part of the curriculum or syllabus in school.  How many African people who know that Professor Soyinka is the first Black African writer to be awarded with the Noble Prize in Literature?  How often Africans communicate about African literature generally? 

Do televisions, leaders, academics and general population of Africa ever emphasise African literature? Yes!  We are living in the digital world where Smartphone’s are dominating quotidian activities of people in the world.  Smartphone’s are equally convenient in providing animating information that is pertinent and illuminating about literature.  Books are ineluctable and it can be impossible to be replaced by any alluring technology.  However, technology is significant in furnishing heady details about African literature.  To reiterate, it is not easy to found colossal number of books churn out by sublime African writers in African schools, libraries and so on.  This is the worrying situation because African literature is popular in the West; therefore for one to be informed, it is essential to appreciate the value of technology.

Tendai Huchu, the charismatic young Zimbabwean writer is the apposite paradigm in these circumstances.  Many young writers throughout the African continent are contributing resoundingly in literature.  Their invaluable contribution is noteworthy because it is optimal for Africa and its people.  Chimamanda Ngozi Adichi, Noviolet Bulawayo, Mukoma Wa Ngugi, Charmaine Kolwane, Matshidiso Taleng, Leke Giwa, Henry Ozogula, Jah Rose, T. Thiba, Tendai Huchu etc are prodigious young African writers.

Specifically, Tendai Huchu is one of the sublime and outstanding young African writers.  His scintillating two books The Hairdresser of Harare (2010) and The Maestro, The Magistrate & The Mathematician are tour de force.  As a Zimbabwean writer his contribution in literature is exhilarating.  Can the world expect another Dambuzdo Marechera?  Tendai Huchu deserves to be acclaimed with the sterling work he is doing. 

It is completely riveting to see Africa produces such assiduous and salubrious writers of the character of Tendai Huchu.  One can easily say, with lot of ecstasy that African ancestors are with African people, because early pioneers and catalyst of African literature are rapidly leaving this world.  Tendai Huchu has sum up what constitute literature in digital era:  “I do think, though, that in this digital age, the short story may gain an edge, and it is thriving online.  There’s probably more digital literary magazines out there than there are reader”.  Substantially, it is satisfying to see young writers slake literary appetite in this wise.  

Excitingly, it is a ravishing thing to see them carrying on the work which the pioneers and catalyst of literature have already been doing.   Tendai Huchu is the inspiration and sagacious young writer, his first novel, The Hairdresser of Harare, was released in 2010 to critical acclaim, and has been translated into German, French, Italian, and Spanish.  His multi-genre short fiction and nonfiction have appeared in The Manchester Review, Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine, Gutter, Interzone, AfroSF, Wasafire, Warscapes, The Africa Report and elsewhere.  His new novel is The Maestro, The Magistrate & The Mathematician.