By I. M. Soqaga
Maxwell Perkins Kanemanyanga has been
writing creatively over the years – having published at least three books of
short stories that are fascinating.
Without resorting to hyperbole, his contribution to literature is
exceptionally great. Kanemanyanga is Zimbabwean
by birth. He is known as a passionate
and energetic essayist. He has written a
number of enthusiastically noteworthy fiction, in particular short stories.
Apparently, writers normally have where they
started before they can become rather prolific and recognised. Like any writer in the
world, Maxwell initial beginning of being interested in literature is quite
enchanting. Dambudzo Marechera in his
early colonial upbringing in Zimbabwe was very affectionate about formal
education. He was, even as a child,
exceptionally gifted, and his favourite pastime was reading. In school he was always top in class.
Maxwell also became passionately keen on
literature in his young age, although he was not sure about his ability to be a
writer. He thought he could be a movie
star, obviously inspired by the Black African-American actor Denzel
Washington. In fact it was through his
friend Mr Garan’anga who essentially identified his literary aptitude. He frankly told Maxwell that he had the inklings of a
writer. Maxwell was superb in
school. He could precisely know how to
write essays at school. His first story
was published in Teen column of the Herald.
Thereafter he started writing articles to
many newspapers like Sunday Mail, Daily
and Sunday Mirror, and the Daily news
which was later banned. With the advice
from his friend, Phillip Chidavaenzi who was a journalist he enrolled at
Christian College of Southern Africa. In
2006 his piece “Africa needs justice from the west not democracy lessons” was
nominated for the Lorenzo Natalie and European commission. The following year at school, he also
published an article “We badly need moral salvation” which was on Zimbabwe
Independent and it was nominated for the Lorenzo Natalie Prize.
Of course Zimbabwe has produced many
splendid African writers who perpetually displayed appealing world class
literature. It is important to
acknowledge that Maxwell like other writers in Zimbabwe never achieved his
literary goal in Zimbabwe, despite his ability to contribute colossal articles
in different Zimbabwean newspapers while he was living in the country.
Nevertheless, it is a fact that the now
entrenched writer of short stories, Kanemanyanga, went on to realise his
dream of being a sublime writer in South Africa, in the Free State
province. Maxwell's literary achievement
began to blossom in the Free State after he was introduced to Chief O Bolaji. As is his wont, Bolaji has been one of the sedulous
literary pundits who has churned out countless number of books in Free State and
he has seraphic heart to inspire others.
Inasmuch Maxwell has candidly expressed “When I came in South Africa I
was introduced to Mr Bolaji, a renowned writer.
I was used to write letters and essays, so I did the same with him. Then one day he told me to diversify as a
writer. He said I could start by writing
poems and short stories. This is how it
all started... now I have published a
book of fiction!”. More works were to follow.
Maxwell grew up in a family where he was
the only boy; he took to books so early in his life. This was like a habit to him, and when he
grew older he became an avid reader. His
main areas of interest were biographies, and philosophy. He read biographies of Dr Martin Luther King JR,
Gandi, Mandela, Biko, Fredrick Douglas, Bob Marley, Mother Theresa, Tiger Woods
and many more. Besides also read novels
of Dambudzo Marechera, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Sydney Sheldon, Jeffrey Archer etc.
Well so far, Maxwell because of his unique
literary perspective of short stories has published fine books which have received a lot of recognition and
been reviewed by a number of critics, including Pule Lechesa. Actually, these reviews are very arresting
and of course are enthusiastically intriguing.
Let’s take some succinct excerpts from the reviews:
(Book: Enemy of the State- Review by Pule Lechesa)
“The book Enemy of the State which comprises ten short stories penned by
Maxwell Perkins Kanemanyanga, is a welcome addition to short stories written
and published by African authors over the years. As the blurb of the book remind us:
“Fiction of the shorter variety have been
spun out over the decades by distinguished African wordsmith like Chinua
Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Ama Ata Aidoo, Dambudzo Marechera, Es’kia Mphahlele,
David Maillu, Gomolemo Mokae, Omoseyi Bolaji, Leboela Motopi, et al.”
(Book: Chapindapasi -Review by Raphael Mokoena)
“This is the third published collection of
stories by Maxwell Perkins Kanemanyanga.
It is reassuring that he has not rested on his laurels, and continues to
be creative as a writer.
Reading his new book, one wonders when
Kanemanyanga will write/publish his first novel. This is because his short stories often bear
the germs and suggestion that they can be converted into even longer fiction;
if the author so desires. This is
obvious from his latest collection.”
(Book: How do I talk about my ordeal? - Review by
Paul Lothane)
“Kanemanyanga started his literary career
by publishing two books of short stories. Many in the literary fraternity will now
reckon that his next step should be a novel or at least a novella. In these days where when imaginative writing
is thin on the ground at grassroots level, one can not but wish Mr.
Kanemanyanga all the best...”
Criticism
Pule
Lechesa has added: “Another issue is the
unsatisfactory ending of many of these stories (including the Title Story, The
Enemy of the State). Apart from the
impressive adjectival speech of the Colonel, we are never told what happens in the
end. Is he killed too, or does he come
into power to help his country and people?
Alas, the grandiose speeches often become
ends in themselves without substantial logic and conclusions; apart from the
debacle of the colonel in the title story, there is the “The Prof of universal
knowledge” (the title itself is pomposity personified!). He goes on and on examining the ills of
society bringing in even old Athens and its philosophy. This might be construed as “overkill” by many
readers-the author wanting to show off his knowledge..."
Raphael
Mokoena has also chipped in: “It is almost inevitable
that at the end-despite the fact that David is apparently a changed man and
travelling back to the wonderful young lady – he loses his life in a tragic
accident. So Maidei’s sufferings
continue needlessly, a selfless, idealistic lady and mother, loses all. One cannot but feel that this conclusion
ruins this story.
This is another finely written collection
of stories authored by Maxwell Kanemanyanga, but one cannot help but wonder
whether there is any real need for the frequent, gratuitous sufferings,
tragedies, and pathos he churns out?”
As
for Paul Lothane, he refers to the story, “Baby
from the plastic”; opining: “It might have been a success, but once again it is
marred by the author’s penchant to go on and on –even including a long
discourse on football, Arsene Wenger and his regime at Arsenal. It is clear the author loves football. But here in this context it comes across as
gratuitous, over-stretched ...”
General
Conclusion:
The
critical attention he has enjoyed is congenial and a candid testimony that
Maxwell Kanemanyanga is a well recognised and established writer. His humongous
literary works buttress the evidence that he is a talented writer gifted with
sufficient literary prowess to produce such heralded books.
