LAURI KUBUITSILE

Lauri Kubuitsile is Motswana writer living in the village of Mahalapye in Botswana. Unlike many of her contemporaries, she writes across numerous genres with books published for early readers, children, teens and adults.

She writes genre fiction (romance and detective, primarily) as well as literary fiction. Her short stories and essays have been published around the world and have appeared in, among others:Mslexia, Wasafari, New Internationalist,Drum Magazine, Jungle Jim and The Australian School Magazine. She has also co-written two television series for Botswana Television: Morwalela and Re BinaMmogo (second season).

Kubuitsile is the first Motswana (to date the only)  to have been shortlisted for the Caine Prizewith her story In the Spirit of McPhineasLata(now included in the short story collection In the Spirit of McPhineasLata and Other Stories, all stories set in Botswana). Among her many writing prizes, she has twice won the Pan African prize for children’s writing, The Golden Baobab Prize, and the Botswerere Prize for Creative Writing awarded by Botswana’s Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture. Her books are read in schools in Botswana and South Africa.

In Toni Stuart’s review of In the Spirit of McPhineasLata and Other Stories appearing in the Cape Times in February 2013, she says about Kubuitsile’s writing: 

“These are tales of tragic and triumphant circumstances woven into the landscape; and they sit easily between folklore and urban legend.  Her storytelling is rich in its simplicity and reminiscent of the telling that is engaged in folk tales. Kubuitsile’s strength lies in her ability to highlight ordinary human moments. She zooms in on them with care and humour, turning the seemingly ordinary inside out to reveal the magic that lies within.”

Kubuitsile’s next book, a historical novel about the genocide of the Herero people, will be coming out in May 2016. It is titled The Scattering and is published by Umuzi (Penguin Random House South Africa).

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PUBLISHED BOOKS

The Fatal Payout (2005, Macmillan) detective fiction, Kate Gomolemo Mystery Series

Murder For Profit (2008, Pentagon), detective fiction, Kate Gomolemo Mystery Series

Mmele and the Magic Bones( 2009, Pentagon) children's fiction

Three Collections of Short Stories for Kids: NoOne is Alone, The Ram, and He Brings a Message(2009, Pentagon) co-written with Wame Molefhe and BontekanyeBotumile

Lorato and the Wire Car(2009, Vivlia), children’s fiction

Birthday Wishes and other Stories(2009, Vivlia) children’sshort stories

Kwaito Love (2010, Kwela/Sapphire) romance novella

Can He Be the One? (2010, Kwela/Sapphire) romance novella

The Curse of the Gold Coins (2010, Vivlia)  children’s historical/fantasyfiction

Anything for Money (2010, Vivlia) detective novella, Kate Gomolemo Mystery Series

Signed, Hopelessly in Love (2011, Tafelberg) young adult fiction

Mr Not Quite Good Enough (2011, Kwela/Sapphire) romance novella

In the Spirit of McPhineasLata and Other Stories(2011, HopeRoad London/Hands-on Books) short story collection

 Love in the Shadows(2012, Kwela/Sapphire) romance novella

Elephants- (2012, Macmillan UK) early reader

The Second Worst Thing- (2012, Oxford University Press) children’s fiction

Signed, The Secret Keeper- (2013, Diamond Educational Publishers), young adult fiction

Thato Lekoko: Superhero-  (2015 (Dec), Oxford University Press) children’s fiction,

For Today, For Tomorrow; Oh Bella!;Tefo and the Lucky Football Boots; The Night Sky Above, Animal Homes- (2016,Cambridge University Press) early readers (five books)

The Scattering(May 2016, Umuzi/Penguin Random House South Africa) historical fiction,

KOLA ONADIPE

Writing relevant and interesting books for children is an art mastered only by few wordsmiths. Imaginative works of this ilk should grip the attention and imagination of proliferating youngsters in general.

As literary critic, Pule Lechesa has pointed out: "We must be honest about it, many - if not most - of celebrated children's literature in the western world leave our African children cold and disinterested. Whilst writers like Enid Blyton or J. K Rowling might have something of a mainstream interest to most children globally, it is usually not the norm. But the great thing is that some African writers have managed to produce very fine work for African kids," 

A few world class African writers have written books specifically targeted at African children - like Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, and Cyprian Ekwensi. But  African writers who specialise in producing children's literature include Gcina Mhlophe, Barbara Kimenye, and Efua Sutherland. (Onuora Nzekwu, an accomplished novelist, also wrote the wonderful Eze goes to school beloved by countless kids). 

But few, if any African writers can match the dazzling and prolific ouvre of children's literature produced by KOLA ONADIPE - in his lifetime he published well over 20 excellent books that hundreds of thousands of youngsters excitingly read, and still remember with relish.    

At first brush one might not have expected such strokes of literary genius enthralling youngsters coming from a personage like the late Mr Onadipe. He was a renowned, strict educationist and disciplinarian; a School Principal for many years. And a qualified lawyer too. Yet he was somehow able to enter the minds of the young ones and create many enduring stories and escapades involving kids.

The range and depth of Onadipe's published works was truly remarkable - his imagination apparently knew no bounds; and African children over the generations continue to attest to the sterling worth of this great man's literary creativity.  

Life in the village...life in the forests...life in the city...the horror of abduction, or hopelessness, mishaps, or pure terror - for children.  Onadipe knew it all. It is no surprise that an astonishing number of people regard him as the greatest-ever African writer of books for children. 

Kola Onadipe died in 1988.

- O Bolaji

Kola Onadipe's Works

   

The adventures of Souza. Ibadan: African Universities Press, 1963.

The boy slave. Lagos: African Universities Press, 1966.

Koku Baboni. Ibadan: African Universities Press, 1965.

Sugar girl. Nairobi: East African Pub, 1964.

The magic land of the shadows. Lagos: African University Press, 1970. 

The forest is our playground. Lagos, Nigeria: Africa Universities Press, 1972.

The return of Shettima. Lagos: University Press, 1972.

Builders of Africa. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1980. ISBN 978-178-004-5

Footprints on the Niger. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1980. ISBN 978-178-006-1

Sunny boy. Ijebu-Ode: Natona Press, 1980.

Sweet mother. Ijebu-Ode [Nigeria]: Natona Press, 1980. ISBN 978-178-001-0

Around Nigeria in thirty days. Nigeria: Natona, 1981. ISBN 978-178-027-4

Call me Michael. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1981. ISBN 978-178-017-7

Halima must not die : and other plays for schools. Ijebu-Ode: Natona Press, 1981. ISBN 978-178-026-6

Happy birthday : queen for a day. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1982. ISBN 978-178-005-3

Mothers-In-Law. 1982

The Other Woman. 1982

A pot of gold. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press Publishers, 1984. ISBN 978-178-008-8

Beloved daughters. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1985. ISBN 978-178-022-3

The king is naked : and other stories. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1985. ISBN 978-178-025-8

The mysterious twins. Ijebu-Ode: Natona, 1986.

Binta : beautiful bride. Ijebu-Ode, Nigeria: Natona Press, 1988. 

NTHABISENG "JAHROSE" JAFTA (South Africa)

‘JahRose’ is a South African performing Poet, Author, Mentor, ‘Artpreneur’ and an art activist. JahRose Productions is an umbrella where all these come together, she holds awards in her contribution as writer and poet in the Free State (South Africa) communities since 2004 thus far.

A published author, she launched her debut poetry compilation book “Rooted from the heart” in 2010. Recently published Free State of Mind anthology with an audio book and launched DVD. A co-founder of Tlouhadi Arts Projects. She has shared stages in South Africa, Malawi, Lesotho and Europe tours.

She has been featured in the music scene: Summer Award winning Kaya Album Vula Masango Song “AFRIKA BORWA” and recently featured in a song with other various Artists in song called “Woz e’Vreistaat” by Alah Yen with her poems playing on Lesedi FM and Motheo FM and various features and pictures on local and national newspapers.

She also coordinated many events such as; SABC 2 Lentswe Project (FS 2008), Motheo Poetry Feast, Macufe , Macufe Portree (2012), Macufe Portree (2015) and N.A.C provincial coordinator for 2010 World Cup and many more.

She’s been involved in CSI projects with MTN foundations (Tlouhadi), University of the Free State (Artist in schools) and as individual since 2006 thus far.

BOOKS

FREE STATE OF MIND (2012)

This is a 3 book in 1 poetry anthology divided into 3 chapters: with 44 poems Free State of Words by JahRose, Free State of Thoughts by Rita Chihawa and Free State of Expression by Lebo Leisa. All poems ventilate authors' emotions, vulnerability, strength, trials and tribulations, all poems are carefully selected to inspire, motivate, heal and ‘Edutain’ the lovers of literature. All performing poets continue to craft their art and striving creatively to balance their oral and written poetry.

The objective is to encourage the culture of reading and writing, empower, promote and profile young female writers Format: Crown 76 pages with 3 full color section dividers Cover: printed on 1 side in full color on 300gsm Hi-Q gloss Matt and Matt laminated: Binding: perfect bound in a soft cover priced at R200 audio version to be included.

ROOTED FROM THE HEART (2010)

This debut poetry compilation comprising of 50 poems from a teen moving to womanhood the joys and thorns in the journey of growth and development. This book is divided into five section dividers authors’ intro, womanhood, love scenes, politics and the continent closed by wishes and aspirations.

This is meant for young women in a quest of finding, understanding and finally embracing who they are. Format: Mann format 91 pages, 6 full color section dividers, printed in single color in both sides 80gsm bond Cover: printed on one side on 300gsm Hi-Q gloss Binding: perfect bound in a soft cover priced at R150.

An extensive interview with JahRose is also published in the work, Interviews with Effervescent Writers (2012) edited by Christine Mautjana.

NGUGI WA THIONG'O

Ngugi wa Thiong'o, the exalted Kenyan writer, was destined for literary greatness from the very beginning. That this wonderfully versatile writer keeps on being touted for the Nobel Award in Literature says it all.     

As a young man, Ngugi was already cemented as an all-time great of African writing. The novels, Weep not Child and The River Between had set him up nicely; and when he published A Grain of Wheat his reputation was solid as a world class novelist.  

But this was only the beginning. As the decades unfolded Ngugi would publish countless other works; more novels, superb essays and criticism, plays and much more. A committed artist and ideologue, he is now regarded as easily one of the top-notch quality writers in the whole wide world.     

Even those who assert that they do not "read fiction" are intrigued with the richness and profundity of Ngugi's essays in general; essays on general literature, world history,criticism, politics, sociology and  more - essays paying tribute to autochthonous African values and background.

As for his novels, apart from his first three, works like Petals of Blood, Matigari, and Devil on the Cross stunned and intrigued the world. Ngugi, for many years then seemed silent as a novelist, before he brought out the awesome Wizard of the Crow.

Wizard of the Crow, at around 800 pages is perhaps the longest "novel" published by an African writer. It is already deservedly celebrated worldwide - but then again, most works by Ngugi have been celebrated for decades. Literary pundits around the world affirm (like in the case of Philip Roth) that Ngugi should have been honoured with the Nobel Award for Literature…

STUDIES:

Ngũgĩ wa Thiongʼo by Oliver Lovesey

Ngugi wa Thiong'o, an exploration of his writings by David Cook

Ngugi wa Thiong'o by Simon Gikandi

Ngugi's novels and African history : narrating the nation by James Ogude

An introduction to the writings of Ngugi by G. D Killam

Ngugi wa Thiong'o by Patrick Williams

Critical perspectives on Ngugi wa Thiong'o

Ngugi wa Thiong'o, the making of a rebel : a sourcebook in Kenyan literature and resistance by Carol Sicherman

Ngugi wa Thiong'o by Clifford B Robson

The Kenyan epic novelist Ngugi : his secular reconfiguration of Biblical themes by John A Anonby