"Letter from South Africa" is Omoseye Bolaji's regular weekly column published in the Nigerian newspaper, True National News. The column comes out every Monday. True National News is circulated all over Nigeria on a weekly basis.
December 28 2009 edition
Letter from South Africa
With Omoseye Bolaji
THE WRETCHED OF THE EARTH
What is our real legacy as modern (educated) black Africans? Should we metaphorically pull the wool over our eyes and blind ourselves to the unedifying past? Should we, like the cliched ostriches, bury our heads in the sand? I have in mind here terrible legacies like the trans Atlantic slave trade that affected and devastated west Africa in particular centuries ago.
The horrific plight of slaves in the past, especially the mind-boggling journey across the Atlantic ocean in those dark days is something modern Africans can hardly imagine. The African-Americans in the USA, just like Africans, are heirs to such a terrible legacy.
A lot of literature has sprung from the unravelling of the slave trade, especially from the American (“nigger”) angle. Probably the most famous was the book, Roots, penned by Alex Haley which spawned a fantastic TV series and movies popular all over the world for decades.
Creative writers, academics and bards continue to churn out works that reflect this extraordinary suffering of the black slaves of that time, starting from their arduous journey from the heart of Africa, to the castles, ports and then the trans-Atlantic journey. The horror of the whole thing is portrayed in the process.
One of the most trenchant, latest additions to this literature is Zong (2007) a fantastic imaginative, yet very haunting poem that focuses on the horrors of such slaves whilst crossing the ocean. The author of this incisive poem is the female Canadian, NourbeSe Philip, who is now making waves with the publication.
Actually her work, Zong (2007) is based on real life experience, the bare facts which can be seen from an actual court case in 1783 which captures the horror of those days, the way slaves at the time were not regarded as human beings at all; with 300 slaves more or less killed in this episode. The owners (of the ship) were not even charged for murder, but only an insurance case for lost goods followed! The whole episode was unconscionable, callous, and cruel, with the unfortunate slaves just cannon fodder for commercial interests.
Philip’s poem goes further in dwelling on the inhumane manner female slaves were treated, worse than sex objects with no sanitary conditions to cater for them and sexual abuses. It is a heart rending, evocative creative work yet based on reality. The work has been making waves around the world, including in South Africa.
We can not forget of course, the compliance of our forefathers, our then African leaders in fomenting and institutionalizing the horrific slave trade. African leaders then were (like now?) manipulated by the meretricious wares and inducements of Eurocentric trade dealers. The great African writer, Ngugi wa Thiong'o details this brilliantly in his monumental work, The beautyful ones are not yet born, but we need not go into details in a column like this.
Back to this work of Philip’s which has shown that modern writers can recreate the grisly past with brilliant empathy. The realism is augmented with the poet using African languages to highlight the plight of the slaves, including the women treated in such callous fashion. The work is put simply a triumph.
This type of re-creations of the past echo what many people are saying that the horrific African, exploitative past should not just be swept under the carpet. For example there have been increasing calls by esteemed leaders and academics (in Africa in particular) for an African renaissance which would also incorporate some sort of reparations to the mother continent. Personalities like the erstwhile South African President, Thabo Mbeki and Ngugi wa Thiong’o have added their voices to such calls.
But for Nigerians, such calls for African renaissance or even reparations are nothing strange. Oluadah Equaino decades ago adumbrated on this in his writings; the late Chief MKO Abiola will always be remembered for similar calls too and he contributed prodigiously to African sports as a sort of fillip; even Olusegun Obasanjo somewhat conscientised the world in this wise too in his own way.
The Canadian, Philip’s work provides glimpses into an unedifying past, a tragic episode that went on for too long a time, with the victims literally crying out with pathos…
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
The allure of the Festive season
"Letter from South Africa" is Omoseye Bolaji's regular weekly column published in the Nigerian newspaper, True National News. The column comes out every Monday, and is circulated all over Nigeria.
December 21 2009 edition
LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA
The allure of the festive season
With Omoseye Bolaji
Yes, the festive season has arrived now, and the celebrations and special ambience will resonate around the world for a few weeks. It is a period that has come to assume the patina of merriment.
How well I remember when I was a youngster based in Ibadan (Oyo State). We knew only too well at the time that Christmas in particular came but once a year and how we enjoyed and savoured the occasion! It was about endless merriment, hilarity, poignant moving songs, crackers and fireworks, and general camaraderie.
The highlight for a number of years back in those days was visiting Father Christmas. In those days the vestiges of the multinational supermarkets (Kingsway, Leventis etc.) still lingered on for some time. Visiting Father Christmas was such an exhilarating delight then!
At the time, we kids could hardly contain our excitement knowing we would be riding on the train for children, then entering a dark intriguing grotto; and then wonders of wonders, meeting Father Christmas himself who would give us sundry gifts! Such was the situation at Kingsway in those days. And when it was all over, the children would be gripped with the transcendental excitement and afterglow, describing the train journey, the almost frightening darkness and meeting the great man (Father Christmas) himself.
Of course we were young. Very young. Not for once did we consider such unedifying possibilities that maybe this was a "capitalistic, elitist" charade; we just knew that it was a great highlight of our lives. Until we outgrew it all.
Hence all over the world now, the magic and allure of the Christmas period persists. For the young in particular it is still a much anticipated period. For much of the western world (eg Europe) the period is concomitant with cold weather which does not dampen much of the enthusiasm.
From a neutral point of view, and even for many cynics, the so-called festive season is a time to relax after (generally) working throughout the year, take a break, let their hair down, relax with the family, re-charge the batteries as it were.
Christmas time in South Africa is a splendid time indeed, with the gaiety and camaraderie all around. A striking sight at around this time in the shops, especially the supermarkets (Shoprite/OK, Clicks, Pick and Pay, Spar etc) are the lovely ladies working there dressed as charming Father Christmas or Santa Claus)
Congenial festive season music, people gaily dressed, Christmas trees, lurid decorations and buntings, teeming masses of frenetic, joyous celebrating people (called jabulani here) …that’s the quintessence of the festive season for you.
Even in the smaller, or small shops Even in the smaller, or small shops “Father Christmases” are redolent. I remember some years ago, a friend of mine who runs a Photography agency in South Africa was celebrating Christmas in his own way. Apparently he had bought the special Father Christmas clothes, but the gentleman who should have been Santa was nowhere to be found; and as the outfit in this case necessitated an omotelele (lanky) Santa Claus, my friend begged me to be Santa Claus for a few hours!
I flinched initially, but soon obliged. It was a completely unexpected scenario for me dressing up as Father Christmas, mingling with kids and handing out all sorts of gifts to them; the children were full of enthusiasm and glee, adumbrating how I used to feel as a kid going to Father Christmas. Though alas, this time there was no train for the kids!
As youngsters we have countless dreams, aspirations, ambitions desires etc. With this in mind, I must admit that never had I imagined ever being Father Christmas one day!
Wordsmiths to the fore!
"Letter from South Africa" is Omoseye Bolaji's regular weekly column published in the Nigerian newspaper, True National News. The column comes out every Monday, and is circulated all over Nigeria.
December 7 2009 edition
Letter from South Africa
With Omoseye Bolaji
WORDSMITHS TO THE FORE!
Nigeria is world famous for its sterling contributions to sparkling African and world literature. The likes of Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka are revered all over the world. But they are not alone. Others like the late Cyprian Ekwensi, Flora Nwapa, Ola Rotimi, Chukwuemeka Ike have also attained international renown.
But even the younger generation is still flying the literary flag lustily. Ben Okri, a world class wordsmith, who has won the coveted Booker Award for Literature, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nana Sefi Atta, Helon Habila, etc.
The extent of Wole Soyinka’s prodigious achievement in winning the Nobel Award for Literature in 1986 can be gauged from the fact that since then, no other black African has won it! This despite the fact our continent has literary luminaries like Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Es’kia Mphahlele (now late) and Ayi Kwei Armah.
We all know that Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka have been pre-eminent for decades. Around the time Soyinka pulled off the stunning Nobel accolade, there was a standing joke to the effect: “Who is Nigeria’s most famous writer?” Answer: “Wole Soyinka” And then: “What’s his most famous work?” The answer: “Things fall apart!” (actually written by Achebe!)
Nigeria has contributed quite a number of classics to African literature; starting from the early 50’s. Think of Gabriel Okara’s The Voice; Amos Tutuola’s The Palmwine Drinkard, Ekwensi’s People of the City; Achebe’s Things >fall apart – all published in the 1950’s.
Later on, the likes of Achebe, Isidore Okpewho, Soyinka, Buchi Emecheta, Ekwensi, Okri, Helon Habila, added to and complemented these classics. Enduring works like One Man One Wife, Arrow of God, The famished road, Season of anomy, were churned out to the adoration of the world.
In this column today I want to introduce lovers of literature in Nigeria to black writing in South Africa. The latter, like Nigeria has a rich tradition in black African literature. Sol Plaatje in particular performed miracles in writing in the 20s and 30s in South Africa – in those far off days, publishing the first black classic, Mhudi.
Es’kia Mphahlele was arguably the first authentic South African black writer to achieve international renown. Among his classics were Down Second Avenue, The Wanderers, and Chirundu. He carved a niche for himself as an international academic, literary critic and general man of letters. He died almost at the age of 90, in late 2008.
Yet Nigeria played some part in moulding Mphahlele the writer. In fact when he decided to go into exile in the late 50’s, Nigeria was his first port of call where he was a teacher and writer. He enjoyed the freedom and relative serenity of Nigeria, mingled with Nigerian writers like Achebe, Soyinka and Ekwensi when they were all quite young. All this Mphahlele recollects in his memoir, Afrika my music.
Prominent South African black writers over the years include Peter Abrahams, one of the first Africans to publish a novel (his work, Mine Boy used to be a text book in Nigerian schools); Lewis Nkosi, one of the greatest literary critics Africa has ever produced (a near contemporary of Soyinka and Achebe); Njabulo Nedebele, award winning critic and fiction writer; Miriam Tlali the first black South African woman to publish a novel; and Richard Rive (Abrahams and Rive were actually ‘coloureds’)
Among the younger generation of South African black writers are Gomolemo Mokae whose works mainly appeal to the mainstream reader at grassroots level; Vonani Bila, a superb literary activist and poet extraordinaire; Phaswane Mpe and Sello Duikier, critically acclaimed young writers who sadly died young.
Some South African literary academics, so to say, are also among the best in the world as skilled wordsmiths. Perhaps the two most renowned are Njabulo Ndebele and Zakes Mda. Ndebele wrote the acclaimed Fools, and Mda has written wonderful works of fiction like The Madonna of Excelsior.
There are other distinguished black South African writers like the award winning Mandla Langa, who wrote the classic, The Tenderness of Blood. South Africa – or Afrika Borwa as many of the natives call it – has an exceedingly rich, fecund literary history and heritage like Nigeria!
December 7 2009 edition
Letter from South Africa
With Omoseye Bolaji
WORDSMITHS TO THE FORE!
Nigeria is world famous for its sterling contributions to sparkling African and world literature. The likes of Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka are revered all over the world. But they are not alone. Others like the late Cyprian Ekwensi, Flora Nwapa, Ola Rotimi, Chukwuemeka Ike have also attained international renown.
But even the younger generation is still flying the literary flag lustily. Ben Okri, a world class wordsmith, who has won the coveted Booker Award for Literature, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Nana Sefi Atta, Helon Habila, etc.
The extent of Wole Soyinka’s prodigious achievement in winning the Nobel Award for Literature in 1986 can be gauged from the fact that since then, no other black African has won it! This despite the fact our continent has literary luminaries like Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Es’kia Mphahlele (now late) and Ayi Kwei Armah.
We all know that Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka have been pre-eminent for decades. Around the time Soyinka pulled off the stunning Nobel accolade, there was a standing joke to the effect: “Who is Nigeria’s most famous writer?” Answer: “Wole Soyinka” And then: “What’s his most famous work?” The answer: “Things fall apart!” (actually written by Achebe!)
Nigeria has contributed quite a number of classics to African literature; starting from the early 50’s. Think of Gabriel Okara’s The Voice; Amos Tutuola’s The Palmwine Drinkard, Ekwensi’s People of the City; Achebe’s Things >fall apart – all published in the 1950’s.
Later on, the likes of Achebe, Isidore Okpewho, Soyinka, Buchi Emecheta, Ekwensi, Okri, Helon Habila, added to and complemented these classics. Enduring works like One Man One Wife, Arrow of God, The famished road, Season of anomy, were churned out to the adoration of the world.
In this column today I want to introduce lovers of literature in Nigeria to black writing in South Africa. The latter, like Nigeria has a rich tradition in black African literature. Sol Plaatje in particular performed miracles in writing in the 20s and 30s in South Africa – in those far off days, publishing the first black classic, Mhudi.
Es’kia Mphahlele was arguably the first authentic South African black writer to achieve international renown. Among his classics were Down Second Avenue, The Wanderers, and Chirundu. He carved a niche for himself as an international academic, literary critic and general man of letters. He died almost at the age of 90, in late 2008.
Yet Nigeria played some part in moulding Mphahlele the writer. In fact when he decided to go into exile in the late 50’s, Nigeria was his first port of call where he was a teacher and writer. He enjoyed the freedom and relative serenity of Nigeria, mingled with Nigerian writers like Achebe, Soyinka and Ekwensi when they were all quite young. All this Mphahlele recollects in his memoir, Afrika my music.
Prominent South African black writers over the years include Peter Abrahams, one of the first Africans to publish a novel (his work, Mine Boy used to be a text book in Nigerian schools); Lewis Nkosi, one of the greatest literary critics Africa has ever produced (a near contemporary of Soyinka and Achebe); Njabulo Nedebele, award winning critic and fiction writer; Miriam Tlali the first black South African woman to publish a novel; and Richard Rive (Abrahams and Rive were actually ‘coloureds’)
Among the younger generation of South African black writers are Gomolemo Mokae whose works mainly appeal to the mainstream reader at grassroots level; Vonani Bila, a superb literary activist and poet extraordinaire; Phaswane Mpe and Sello Duikier, critically acclaimed young writers who sadly died young.
Some South African literary academics, so to say, are also among the best in the world as skilled wordsmiths. Perhaps the two most renowned are Njabulo Ndebele and Zakes Mda. Ndebele wrote the acclaimed Fools, and Mda has written wonderful works of fiction like The Madonna of Excelsior.
There are other distinguished black South African writers like the award winning Mandla Langa, who wrote the classic, The Tenderness of Blood. South Africa – or Afrika Borwa as many of the natives call it – has an exceedingly rich, fecund literary history and heritage like Nigeria!
Charismatic Eagles to light up South Africa 2010
"Letter from South Africa" is Omoseye Bolaji's regular weekly column published in the Nigerian newspaper, True National News. The column comes out every Monday. True National News is circulated all over Nigeria.
November 29 2009 edition
LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA
(Column by OMOSEYE BOLAJI)
Charismatic Eagles to light up South Africa 2010
It was not only the fervent, proliferating hordes of Nigerian football lovers who celebrated after the Super Eagles finally clinched qualification for World Cup 2010 after a tortuous campaign. Even here in South Africa large numbers of South African football enthusiasts lustily celebrated too.
This included sports anchormen, presenters and pundits in the South African media here who were all united that “an African World Cup without the presence of Nigeria would be unthinkable” – as well known South African football expert and analyst Pule Lechesa said on air. Of course the many Nigerians in South Africa celebrated lustily too; the hope was still there though many felt qualification had been blown.
Many South Africans winced with horror when Nigeria allowed Tunisia to score a very late last gasp goal in Abuja to evince a 2-2 scoreline that gave Tunisia the advantage to advance to the finals. In fact many local South African reporters were so distraught about this draw that they sympathised with me as if I had lost someone dear!
But as the aphorism goes, hope springs eternal in the human heart. The match against Mozambique provided another chance for Nigeria to put things right at least a tad better; but once again it was something of a horror show as the Eagles laboured embarrassingly in Abuja before clinching all three points with a late goal. But the fact was that Mozambique had a tidy, tactically astute squad. If only they could show their prowess against Tuinisia in the last game and do Nigeria a big favour!
It has now gone into history that this is indeed what happened. Mozambique put Tunisia to the sword and following Nigeria’s win in Kenya, qualification was assured! Nigeria had been largely lucky admittedly but then Nigerian football history shows that Tunisia have never been push-overs. In fact they have consistently given Nigerians grief over the decades. Who can still forget the Godwin Odiye own goal in 1977 that prodded Tunisia to Argentina 78? Or the way they eliminated Nigeria from the 1986 finals?
But South African healthy respect for Nigerian football is rather deep-rooted (in fairly recent times) No sooner were South Africa let back into the international fraternity of football than Nigeria thrashed them 4-0 in Lagos (1992). Over the next few years at the time Nigerian football became respected greatly in South Africa as the Eagles not only qualified for World Cup 1994; but also won the Nations Cup finals in 1994 – a tournament shown live to the millions of soccer lovers in South Africa.
Hence Rashidi Yekini, Emannuel Amunike, Austin Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh, Stephen Keshi etc soon became household names here in South Africa. It was a superb team – which made it very tragic indeed when Nigeria did not participate at the Nations Cup finals in 1996 hosted by South Africa. The latter went on to win the tournament but many still wonder what would have happened if the Super Eagles had participated.
The irresistible allure surrounding the Nigerian squad was accentuated again when they won the 1996 Olympics gold medal! It was a team containing most of the already well known giants of the Eagles (and included the great Kanu Nwankwo at his best) Nigeria brilliantly defeated Brazil and Argentina in the final stages to win the Cup and another legend was born.
Step forward two more years and the Eagles were the darling of South Africans and the world as they did reasonably well at the 1998 World Cup finals. Austin Okocha’s superb dribbling skills lit up the tournament and Sunday Oliseh’s fantastic winning goal - and fulsome celebrations - against Spain made him a superstar here.
South Africa continued their respect and fear for the Super Eagles over the years, especially when Bafana Bafana were beaten again in 2000 and in 2004 during the Nations Cup finals. The 2004 defeat was particularly disheartening for South Africans – a 4-0 win, with young Odemwingie scoring two superb goals.
The question in South Africa was thus: will Bafana Bafana (their national soccer squad) ever manage to beat the Eagles? Till date this has not happened in competitive matches, though in 2004 in what was little more than a friendly South Africa managed at last to win by two goals to one – their first win ever over Nigeria. We might as well point out that even the South African national female team (Banyana Banyana) received batterings from their Nigerian counterparts over the years.
In the last competitive round of matches between the Eagles and South Africa (the Nations Cup/World Cup qualifiers) last year Nigeria won again both home and away – a major reason why South Africa will not be among those participating in the next Nations Cup finals early next year.
And what about at club football level? Suffice it to say that a coterie of Nigerians have made their mark in the local South African league over the years. Perhaps the two most outstanding were William Okpara (Goalkeeper) who led Orlando Pirates to great glory over ten years ago; and Raphael Chukwu, the bustling powerful striker who did wonders for Mamelodi Sundowns. This current season (2009/2010) Prince Olomu of Nigeria has been banging in the goals devastatingly for premiership side, Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa.
With this healthy respect for Nigerian football on South African shores, it was no surprise that even the progress of the Golden Eaglets was watched with interest as they proceeded to the final of the Under 17 World Cup recently. The eventual loss to Switzerland garnered some shock and sadness among many South Africans.
The Super Eagles are guaranteed mammoth support when they play in the World Cup here in South Africa next year…
November 29 2009 edition
LETTER FROM SOUTH AFRICA
(Column by OMOSEYE BOLAJI)
Charismatic Eagles to light up South Africa 2010
It was not only the fervent, proliferating hordes of Nigerian football lovers who celebrated after the Super Eagles finally clinched qualification for World Cup 2010 after a tortuous campaign. Even here in South Africa large numbers of South African football enthusiasts lustily celebrated too.
This included sports anchormen, presenters and pundits in the South African media here who were all united that “an African World Cup without the presence of Nigeria would be unthinkable” – as well known South African football expert and analyst Pule Lechesa said on air. Of course the many Nigerians in South Africa celebrated lustily too; the hope was still there though many felt qualification had been blown.
Many South Africans winced with horror when Nigeria allowed Tunisia to score a very late last gasp goal in Abuja to evince a 2-2 scoreline that gave Tunisia the advantage to advance to the finals. In fact many local South African reporters were so distraught about this draw that they sympathised with me as if I had lost someone dear!
But as the aphorism goes, hope springs eternal in the human heart. The match against Mozambique provided another chance for Nigeria to put things right at least a tad better; but once again it was something of a horror show as the Eagles laboured embarrassingly in Abuja before clinching all three points with a late goal. But the fact was that Mozambique had a tidy, tactically astute squad. If only they could show their prowess against Tuinisia in the last game and do Nigeria a big favour!
It has now gone into history that this is indeed what happened. Mozambique put Tunisia to the sword and following Nigeria’s win in Kenya, qualification was assured! Nigeria had been largely lucky admittedly but then Nigerian football history shows that Tunisia have never been push-overs. In fact they have consistently given Nigerians grief over the decades. Who can still forget the Godwin Odiye own goal in 1977 that prodded Tunisia to Argentina 78? Or the way they eliminated Nigeria from the 1986 finals?
But South African healthy respect for Nigerian football is rather deep-rooted (in fairly recent times) No sooner were South Africa let back into the international fraternity of football than Nigeria thrashed them 4-0 in Lagos (1992). Over the next few years at the time Nigerian football became respected greatly in South Africa as the Eagles not only qualified for World Cup 1994; but also won the Nations Cup finals in 1994 – a tournament shown live to the millions of soccer lovers in South Africa.
Hence Rashidi Yekini, Emannuel Amunike, Austin Okocha, Daniel Amokachi, Sunday Oliseh, Stephen Keshi etc soon became household names here in South Africa. It was a superb team – which made it very tragic indeed when Nigeria did not participate at the Nations Cup finals in 1996 hosted by South Africa. The latter went on to win the tournament but many still wonder what would have happened if the Super Eagles had participated.
The irresistible allure surrounding the Nigerian squad was accentuated again when they won the 1996 Olympics gold medal! It was a team containing most of the already well known giants of the Eagles (and included the great Kanu Nwankwo at his best) Nigeria brilliantly defeated Brazil and Argentina in the final stages to win the Cup and another legend was born.
Step forward two more years and the Eagles were the darling of South Africans and the world as they did reasonably well at the 1998 World Cup finals. Austin Okocha’s superb dribbling skills lit up the tournament and Sunday Oliseh’s fantastic winning goal - and fulsome celebrations - against Spain made him a superstar here.
South Africa continued their respect and fear for the Super Eagles over the years, especially when Bafana Bafana were beaten again in 2000 and in 2004 during the Nations Cup finals. The 2004 defeat was particularly disheartening for South Africans – a 4-0 win, with young Odemwingie scoring two superb goals.
The question in South Africa was thus: will Bafana Bafana (their national soccer squad) ever manage to beat the Eagles? Till date this has not happened in competitive matches, though in 2004 in what was little more than a friendly South Africa managed at last to win by two goals to one – their first win ever over Nigeria. We might as well point out that even the South African national female team (Banyana Banyana) received batterings from their Nigerian counterparts over the years.
In the last competitive round of matches between the Eagles and South Africa (the Nations Cup/World Cup qualifiers) last year Nigeria won again both home and away – a major reason why South Africa will not be among those participating in the next Nations Cup finals early next year.
And what about at club football level? Suffice it to say that a coterie of Nigerians have made their mark in the local South African league over the years. Perhaps the two most outstanding were William Okpara (Goalkeeper) who led Orlando Pirates to great glory over ten years ago; and Raphael Chukwu, the bustling powerful striker who did wonders for Mamelodi Sundowns. This current season (2009/2010) Prince Olomu of Nigeria has been banging in the goals devastatingly for premiership side, Bloemfontein Celtic in South Africa.
With this healthy respect for Nigerian football on South African shores, it was no surprise that even the progress of the Golden Eaglets was watched with interest as they proceeded to the final of the Under 17 World Cup recently. The eventual loss to Switzerland garnered some shock and sadness among many South Africans.
The Super Eagles are guaranteed mammoth support when they play in the World Cup here in South Africa next year…
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