THE CORUSCATING LESOTHO BARD

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

“The love of a man and a woman has always been special but lately it’s exploited and ripped out of its definition…women, recall and respect men for their position, and you men, remember (that) women are just a rib of your whole package – they are highly fragile; that’s why they need your touch”

- Sheila Khala, in FORMULA

It is not the province nor perimeter of this short piece to ponder whether the above quotation – penned by a very young female writer from Lesotho is essentially true or false. Suffice it to say that I am more concerned with the exhilarating emergence of the author (Sheila Khala) herself.

Having said this, I must briefly point out that whilst younger, I was very much intrigued with the book, The anatomy of feminine power produced by one of the most erudite and brilliant African intellectuals, Chinweizu. For him, women’s fragility is a façade; they are actually the opposite!

And world history has also churned out many examples of how “un-fragile” women can be, especially during warfare: the dreaded Amazons (female warriors) of erstwhile Dahomey; and the role of women during the French evolution when “the women returned with the heads of those who had fallen…baying for even more blood…it was a most shocking scene”

Most of us we men will however like to believe that women might well be “highly fragile” – even if it’s mainly in our dreams!

But back to Sheila N. Khala. Remarkably she was only 19 when she published her first book of poems (Formula) which was published in 2009. She is a dynamic and fecund poet in every sense of the word. It is understood that her second book of poems will soon be out.

For lovers of literature, there is always that frisson of excitement when a new and very young writer takes the stage. Of course these days more and more African women are making big strides in the genre of writing. Sheila is already holding her head high in poignant African female black writing at a very young age – reminding us of international icons like Buchi Emecheta, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Helen Oyeyemi etc who did the same.

Of course a lot of cynicism is entwined within the warp and weft of creative writing, especially where new voices are concerned. Some literary protagonists have stated that “Sheila is probably one-dimensional; a good poet. She can’t produce stuff like fiction that would cement her stature even more as a writer”

But I beg to disagree. There are more than enough glimpses in Sheila’s poetry to suggest that she can be creative, fluent and evocative when she wants to. For example in her poem, “I love you” she writes inter alia:

“When you see me
Do you have a heartbeat that
Accelerates as space becomes thinner?
Or you can’t wait for me to walk out of the door
So you exhale a deep breath of Relief…
How do you react when you walk towards me
Are you faking the butterflies you claim run in your stomach?”


For aficionados of African literature, note the name: Sheila N Khala

This columnist will like to hark on the obvious now –

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

THE MUSICAL MAESTROS

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

“T’emu ba funfun balau ninu igba
Kan mi igba kan
Se kan ko mi, ko tun se kan ko ra re
K’a jo ma mu lo!!!”

Since members of my particular generation were kids, we have been captivated by the extraordinary brilliance, brio and prowess of “King” Sunny Ade with the guitar; and his complementary lyrics as exemplified by the above quote.

There was always an acute, irresistible rhythmic perfection in Sunny Ade’s songs – he was more than a legend in Yorubaland, so to speak. Kids and adults reeled off the memorable, even esoteric words from his many songs over the decades – all over the world really. But it was his artistry with the guitar that set him on the way to what one might even call his apotheosis.

Wherever you see Yoruba people anywhere in the world (including in South Africa here) you can be sure Sunny Ade’s songs, his old classics, would still be treasured. Tales are still told about live performances dished out by the great man; as he strummed on his guitar many people seemed to go crazy!

It has always fascinated me the intriguing personalities of those enamoured with the guitar, no matter their colour or nationality. “Guitar men and women” always seem to stand out. Their transcendental devotion to their craft, their unique personalities, the general way they seem to be wrapped up in their own world...

Like my friend Deon Simphiwe, multi-talented South Artist based in Cape Town; who would put it this way: “Acoustics strings – strumming on life with all its follies and triumphs – don’t intend to hit a note” Whatever this means! These artists many times seem to exist in their own arcane world.

And again like my pal, Seleke in the Free State, such a fine, accomplished guitarist. A man who has given so much to music; a familiar respected figure with his guitar in South Africa; he has also belted out series of moving songs. He also has that ethereal feel about him – though he can be worldly wise!

We often take our friends for granted, and seem not to appreciate them intermittently. Seleke has supported me, or been beside me at so many crucial moments, eg when I was conferred with the Chancellor’s Medal by the University of the Free State. We even appear together on one of the covers of my books! But on my own part, I don’t think I have supported him enough. But we are still close pals.

The point is that Seleke is a brilliant musician and guitarist, one of South Africa’s best. He is at his happiest and best when he performs at major musical events, like the mammoth Vuka (Music) Festival that took place in the City of Roses in South Africa in December (2010) How proud of him I was! How he lapped up the applause!

Hmm...these guitarists. Yet there is a difference between guitarists in Nigeria and their South African counterparts. Here in South Africa it seems they are more subdued, staid, “intellectual”, perhaps more cosmopolitan. But Nigerian guitarists, musicians, are often so off the cuff, even whacky, a whirlwind of spontaneity, playing to the gallery – epitomes of jabulane!! (fun)

THE GRISLY SIGHT

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

Pandemonium reigned as everybody around reeled with profound shock at the horrific discovery. People gathered at the site not believing what they were seeing...how could the house of God be desecrated in such an unedifying way?

But there was no running away from the evidence before their own eyes. Even as police cars screeched to a halt here at JB Mafora, Mangaung, South African township, tears welled up in many and the dam broke with most people crying inconsolably. And they were not alone.

Even some of the police officers soon joined the fray of those weeping as they contemplated the plight of what had been a full bodied promising young man. Now he had not only been killed in the premises of a Church (Jesus Never Fails Ministry), his body had been mercilessly mutilated, cut to pieces by ruthless miscreants!

Soon it emerged that the murdered and mutilated gentleman was 27-year old Stephen Nakedi. Flaxman Qoopane, a distinguished South African journalist was one of the first people at the scene, before giving me a call. “It was terrible,” he told me. “I have never seen anything like it. The dead man was cut to pieces...it was the first time I would see the police at a scene crying.”

Mr. Flaxman indeed tracked down the family of the poor young man who had been brutally murdered, and it was a terrible interview indeed. All I could do was watch and take in the palpable, heartfelt anger, sorrow and indignation of the community. This was a muti-murder of course.

Muti murder? Yes, what in Nigeria would be called juju or oogun murder, the type Nigerian author, Victor Thorpe made famous in his novel, The Worshippers. But right here in South Africa, this was no fiction – as the police discovered parts of the body of the pertinent murdered young man and arrested some suspects.

Part of the outrage involved the fact that Stephen Nakedi had been murdered in the premises of a church. As South African pastor and author, Thabo Mafike told me: “This is unfortunate, Mr Bolaji. It shows that those people responsible, the evil people who cut Stephen Nakedi to pieces did not have any scruples about killing him at what should be a sacrosanct place. It is very sad!”

Such muti murders do take place in South Africa every now and then, mainly because of the belief that certain choice body parts are useful and can be used by South African sangomas, witch doctors/babalawos, to increase good fortune, a belief alas held in many parts of Africa. But what about the horrific plight of the person unfortunate to be ruthlessly attacked and cut to pieces? Apparently in such cases only a miracle can save the hapless victim.

Such a miracle did happen a couple of years ago in South Africa, in a celebrated case where one night, a young lady was attacked by such muti killers who were about to use their vicious knives and inflict a horrendous painful death on her in a sort of glade. And then a big snake suddenly appeared from nowhere and attacked the attackers, ran for their lives leaving the girl alone! Such a pity that there was no reprieve for poor, poor Stephen Nakedi!

THE PLAYWRIGHTS

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

The weather was barmy and erratic on this particular day in Bloemfontein city in South Africa as what should have been a rather hot summer day turned out to be quite cold and withering. But life must go on. I was doing a little shopping inside one of South Africa’s major supermarkets.

At the counter, as I was about to pay for items purchased, the lady cashier suddenly smiled, beaming: “Hi Ntate (Mr) Bolaji! Hi!!” she said. I winced a bit, as I could not easily recognise her, one of my bad habits! My first impression was that she had seen my photo in a local newspaper or magazine, or in one of my books.“Don’t you remember me? I am Lerato,” she went on, a bit disappointed.

She explained loudly, to other ladies working in the supermarket. “This is the man who wrote the play, Joo, Letla Shwa- Letla Botswa, which we acted in Ladybrand (town). Ntate Bolaji, the playwright. Remember you once travelled to Ladybrand to watch us on stage?”I nodded. She went on: “Mr Pule Lechesa introduced you to us (the actors) then. You were discussing which version of your play you preferred; the play being acted in English, or in Sesotho (South African) language. But we were then acting the play from the Sesotho translation. I acted the part of Violet, the young lady.”

I remembered now. The name of my play, originally written and published in English, was The Subtle Transgressor. Pule Lechesa (above) was the brilliant South African writer who translated the play into the Sesotho language as Joo, Letla Shwa- Letla Botswa. His translation had been something of a bestseller, and he also ensured that it was on stage in his hometown, Ladybrand.

Now in the supermarket, the young lady, Lerato asked me the last time I had seen Pule Lechesa. I tried to answer her quickly, but I was a bit embarrassed now as a few people were behind me on the small queue who wanted to pay for their goods too. I moved sideways, picked up my big plastic bag containing what I had bought and smiled at the lady. “It’s been nice meeting you again,” I said. Meanwhile, one of the nearby ladies there added in a friendly fashion: “I know you write books, but I did not know you also wrote plays," Lerato said: “He’s a modest man; he’s a great playwright!”

Now I really felt embarrassed. It is a pity really how many people use descriptions sloppily, even flippantly; though ignorance might be a mitigating factor for this. Coming from Nigeria, I would never describe myself as a distinguished playwright, considering the world class playwrights Nigeria has produced over the decades. Illustrious playwrights like JP Clark, Wole Soyinka, Zulu Sofola, Laolu Ogunniyi, Ola Rotimi, to mention but a few.

Over the years, my firm favourite among Nigerian playwrights had always been Ola Rotimi, though. Maybe because at a very tender age we had to study his play Kurunmi in school of which many of us knew many parts of it by heart as kids. I did read many of Wole Soyinka’s plays too; but later on I was to admire the Nigerian female playwright, Zulu Sofola indeed!

And of course, in nearby Ghana, Ama Ata Aidoo and Efua T. Sutherland have been remarkable female playwrights too. Aidoo’s The Dilemma of a Ghost used to fascinate me. The late Efua Sutherland was a genius as regards the theatre, and whilst at school we had to read her funny play, The marriage of Anansewa too.

But I suppose I have to admit that in my own small way, I am a playwright too.

BOOK REVIEW

By PAUL LOTHANE

Book: OMOSEYE BOLAJI
Author: Hector Kunene
Publisher: New Voices Publishing (Cape Town)
Pages: 117
Reviewer: Paul Lothane

This is a beautiful book put together by Mr Hector Kunene; proving once again that he is “a real breath of fresh air in the literary sphere” as Mr Lechesa puts it. This is a book that will really put the Free State on the map!

This new book bears comparison with virtually every major study on key African writers over the years – eg Fraser’s study on Ayi Kwei Armah; Dr Adele King’s study on Camara Laye; Wild’s initial study on Dambudzo Marechera; Mary Ebun Modupe Kolawole's study on the late Zulu Sofola. This is a book that will be treasured by the scholars and lovers of literature for generations to come.

Kunene has gone out of his way to present a most pleasing book – apart from the main body of about 30 articles on Omoseye Bolaji’s works. There is the interesting introduction, revealing interviews late on in the study, an excellent piece by Ishmael Soqaka, and the book concludes with a world class Bibliography at the very end.

The articles, critiques etc themselves cover a wide range. All the books of poetry produced by Bolaji are reviewed. The most visible aspect of his writings; the fiction, is also extensively covered. Contributors like Peter Moroe, Pule Lechesa, Aryan Kaganof, Raphael Mokoena, yours truly, Hector himself – all have their say.

Such an excellent work challenges the critic who is in danger of becoming a “praise singer” as Lechesa puts it in one of his books. But of course this new work is not free of a few blemishes – happily such weaknesses are confined mainly to the Introduction to this book.

Hector, in his introduction shows what some critics refer to as a “butterfly mind” which is not necessarily a bad thing; but he also puts together many contradictory and illogical statements. Let’s take two of them here:

“I even asked him (Bolaji) how he expects to be well known if he was so private and distant and he would simply smile and shy away...”
(Page 17)

Also:

“Bolaji does not strike as a public figure; I continue to question myself how he has managed to survive in this industry that is dominant in competition whilst keeping a low profile. Can it be perhaps that he manages to keep up with the pressure...?”
(Page 14)

Yet, from the beginning and throughout his introduction the author keeps on stressing how much he wanted to meet the “great” Bolaji, the “legend” Bolaji - he repeats this many a time. Hector himself goes out of his way to track Bolaji down. This clearly shows that Bolaji’s fame already preceded him in the literary world despite his low profile. Hector ironically confirms this himself in the following passage which again contradicts what he is claiming:

“Whilst Bolaji and I were journeying the streets of Bloemfontein (people) would raise their fists in the air when greeting him, and in return he raises his fist back at them, smiling...I even feel like I am walking with David Beckham or a Will Smith”
(Page 15)

We should also note that the “competition” and “pressure” (in writing) Hector refers to is largely a creation of his own imagination, or his own approach to life. Distinguished writers like Bolaji who have amassed top quality awards and accolades for writing have a large corpus of published works and complementary studies which already speak for themselves; they do not need to be childishly running up and down “competing” or seeking cheap publicity.

But these are just minor blemishes in what is a stunning, superb work put together by Hector Kunene.

* At the insistence of the reviewer, Mr Lothane, this article has been placed here as the latest “Letter from South Africa” normally written by Omoseye Bolaji

Free State Stadium - Top notch!

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI


On Sunday October 10, 2010, I was at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein City, South Africa to witness the Macufe Cup football clash between two key clubs, Kaizer Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic.

My mind briefly wandered to the days I was an avid football follower in Nigeria, then, a regular at the Stadia like Liberty Stadium, Adamasingba, Sportscity, Surulere, Onikan stadia. I was (still) a sucker for the extravagantly skillful football player – the likes of Etim Essien, Samson Siasia, Kayode Balogun among others

How well I remember the 1989 national team of Nigeria which should have gone on to qualify for the World Cup finals and rock the world like Cameroon did in 1990. With talents like Stephen Keshi, Siasia, Etim Essien, Wole Odegbami, Richard Owubokiri etc, that was a skillful team indeed. But it was not to be, and Nigeria very narrowly missed out on qualification.

Now as I was ensconced at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, my mind again went back to the days I came here regularly to cover games for South African national publications like Sowetan and Sapa; days of mixing with the crème de la crème of South African football writers, white and black – Sy Lerman, Mark Glesson, Teboho Setena, Mpikeleni Duma, etc.

The Free State Stadium was of course one of the venues that hosted the World Cup games some months ago when South Africa proudly hosted the world. A number of key matches were played there including the England vs Germany clash, and South Africa vs France. But from the Nigerian perspective, the Greece vs Nigeria World Cup match was eagerly awaited at that time at this stadium.

How well I remember that ill-starred game! It was a very cold day in Bloemfontein, but at least the game took place in the afternoon. Nigerians flocked to the stadium so sure that the Super Eagles would win – happily recollecting the 2-0 World Cup win over Greece in 1994.But it was not to be.

Although the Eagles took an early lead, they were to throw everything away as the match petered out. 1- 0 in favour of Nigeria became a depressing 2-1 loss and many Nigerians were incensed and none too happy with the loss by the Eagles side which was reduced to ten men. It was dispiriting stuff.

Of course the international focus was extraordinary when Germany played England during the World Cup at the Free State Stadium. It was again uncanny how the English fans managed to make their way to Bloemfontein in many thousands to support their team. A few days earlier, I had been in Johannesburg and met a number of English fans with ‘Barmy Army’ inscribed on their shirts, as they prepared to travel in droves to Bloemfontein city for the big game. Some went by luxury bus, some via trains, others decided to fly.

What a shock for the English in Bloemfontein city as their team crashed 4-1 to the German side that had too much youthful zest and fizz! How well I remember the utter dejection of the English fans around the stadium after the game ended; even those at the nearby Tourist Centre had disbelief and shock etched on their faces.

The Free State Stadium is also the famed home for the Free State Cheetahs, a powerful Rugby outfit that has used the Stadium for years; before football got in on the act. In the Macufe Cup, Bloemfontein Celtic won the game against Chiefs, thanks to penalties!

ATAVISTIC ECHOES AT BIKO MEMORIAL

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

It was a sombre occasion when the 33rd anniversary of the demise of Steve Biko swung into gear at the Pax Nova Hall in Bochabela, Mangaung at the weekend

Steve Biko of course was the legendary South African freedom fighter who had wisdom, sagacity and perspicacity far beyond his years in the 70s, and cruelly lost his life during detention by the powers that be during the apartheid era. He died in 1977 at the age of 31

Biko has become more than an icon these days, a man who has inspired a multitude of activists; the manner of his death brought in its wake anguish, exceeding sadness and horror. He was one of the harbingers of true freedom in the country. Now that the new South Africa is very much a reality, Biko’s legacy can never be forgotten

Hence the stalwarts, the die-hard followers of Biko were very much in their element at the Pax Nova hall, with a plethora of tributes to Steve Biko. It was eye opening to see cultural workers both young and old coming together to honour the man who died over 30 years ago.

South Africa remains a very intriguing country, and as a general writer, journalist and editor I have to mingle with a myriad of people. At one end of the scale are the likes of Raselebeli Khotseng and Mpikeleni Duma who were very much part of the struggle during apartheid, and whose personal, first hand testimony was very moving during the Biko anniversary

And then we have the likes of Hector Kunene, Jah rose and Neo Mvubu , young talented writers and poets who have to do their research on people like Steve Biko before they can do anything in his name! Indeed some of the writers are so young that they do not even know how hellish life was during apartheid in their own country!

Alas they hardly realise how privileged they are now in our conspicuous materialistic world, replete with so many material ancillaries. Though I was happy when Neo Mvubu read the book Mine Boy published many decades ago by a disadvantaged coloured south African (Peter Abrahams0. Neo was so much impressed by the book – and even reviewed it for international audience – and at last had an inkling of the horrific life eked out by blacks decades ago in her own country.

Hence the tribute to Steve Biko at Bochabela – in honour of the departed celebrated icon - went on smoothly. Speakers and cultural activists did their thing with elan - Mr Duma, guitarist Seleke, Jah rose, Hector Kunene, "Magic" Khotseng, Icebound, etc. What a way to honour a martyr!

CELEBRATING DEEPEST SPRINGS (By NMM DUMAN)

Celebrating Deepest Springs

The publication of a profound novel, Deepest Springs by a new black female author in South Africa is making waves in the literary fraternity here. I am so proud that I know the author, NMM Duman, a brilliant, sagacious, yet modest lady. Among the reviews of the new book, I am particularly enamoured with the one of Rebaone Motsalane, which I am reproducing below…

“I strongly believe that had this book been written in Sesotho it would have had a far greater impact on me, but it is still an excellent book. You could tell that the writer is proud of her origins as she has done a lot of research and did not want to compromise any Sesotho words to have a great impact and for the reader to fully understand the meaning. She could easily have settled for an English translation and given a detailed meaning.

The “Deepest Springs” tells a great love story from an African (black) point of view and is not a westernized version that we see black people have adapted to because of acculturation. It made great sense for someone to come who comes from a rural background and greatly appreciates nature at its best.

The storyline is about two lovers from a rural background whose love survives so much. In the end they beat many trials and tribulations that fate throws at them. But the storyline does not end depending on your views of life. To me it could be about a love story but for the next person it could be about marriage, how traditions put pressure on women and how men expect their women to be in a male dominated society.

It could also be about migrant labourers, how women were and are on their own, keeping the household running when their husbands are too busy providing for their families and ignoring the impact their absence has on their loved ones. This still happens today as women still play the same role keeping the home fires burning while men gallivant in the name of securing better lives for their families.

The story centres on two main characters. One seems too strong (for her own good) It is not surprising, as in real liofe this is exactly what happens in many marriages. Sometimes women are too strong but tolerate abuse in the name of love and happiness.

Our main character goes through a lot. Most black women will identify with her, especially regarding the expectation and pressures that in-laws put on their daughter in law. This abuse continues for years, as those who were abused in the early stages of their married life as makoti (daughter-in-laws) treat their sons’ wives with the same bitterness and hurl the same insults at them.

This book is a must read for mother and daughter-in-laws to be a mirror to them of how physical or emotional abuse can have a long lasting effect and also for husbands to take the much needed courage to stop the abuse hurled at wives”.
(Review by Rebaone Motsalane)

BULWARKS OF DEFENCE

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

Over this weekend I was discussing football with some South African pundits and one particular topic struck me - the way two goalkeepers had performed phenomenally in Europe as the European seasons start, more or less. It was good to see some focus on goalkeepers who are bulwarks of the defence!

Iker Casillas of Real Madrid and Spain was sensational as he helped his club to beat Bayern Munich on penalties away from home in Germany to win a Cup. Iker saved so many sure-fire "goals"; including a penalty award and follow-up! He was inspirational for new Coach Jose Mourinho

Meanwhile in England in the very first match of the new season, Manchester City's Joe Hart won so many hearts with his fantastic performance, diving like a salmon to parry goal-bound shots away and helping his club to an undeserved 0-0 draw with Tottenham Hotspurs. Who says goalkeepers can not be worth their weight in gold?

Countries like Nigeria and South Africa are blessed with excellent goalkeepers. The world saw Nigeria's Vincent Enyeama in wonderful form during the World Cup finals in South Africa, particularly during the first match with Argentina when Enyeama stopped so many goals, frustrating the great Lionel Messi time and again. South Africa can count on young Itumeleng Kuneng now, the latest in a long line of fine goalkeepers which include Andre Arendse and Brian Baloyi.

When I was a youngster I was well aware of the legendary status that enshrouded Nigerian goalkeeper Emmanuel Okala, who was a veritable giant and a stalwart in the Green (later Super) Eagles defence - right there in goal. As kids we were told that Okala was unbeatable, that he was an anjonnu (sort of wizard) that nobody could beat. The legend continued, though we saw with our own eyes Okala conceding goals every now and then for country and club (Rangers International in the 70s)

I can never forget the epic World Cup qualifying game which Nigeria had with Tunisia in 1977 - away in Tunis where Emmanuel Okala held sway in goal. He was in superb form and the much dreaded North Africans were held to a 0-0 draw in their own backyard by the Eagles. It was a wonderful result, but not enough to stop Nigeria from crashing out of the World Cup race eventually.

Incredibly some years later in the early 80's Emmanuel's younger brother, Patrick also became Nigerian goalkeeper and was also very reliable for the country; though he did not have the legendary status of his older brother. How well I remember the Eagles playing Morocco in early 1984 with Patrick Okala in superlative, unbelievable form refusing to concede goals against Morocco both at home and away. His prowess did seem magical. Peter Rufai also became a legend between the posts for Nigeria for many many years - even till the 1998 World Cup finals!

Goalkeepers, for their clubs, or country, when on song can perform marvels for their teams (as Hart and Iker showed over the weekend) But when they drop clangers they are pilloried to high heavens (eg Rob Green and the England "fiasco" against the USA at the last World Cup finals) Yet the legend of goalkeepers often lives on - just think Gordon Banks and his marvellous save against Pele in the 1970 World Cup finals!

Oh, the bastions!

Allow me to indulge myself and say "Happy Birthday!" to myself a bit in advance! Actually my birthday is tomorrow, Monday, August 16

SAGACIOUS SAWS

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

“Ti bale ile bati’n fapari isu hon alejo, owe ile to lo nu”

- Yoruba Proverb

“The art of being a good guest is to know when to leave”-

- Prince Philip

The first aphorism above is an African (Yoruba) proverb, and the second quote has been made famous by an Englishman (Prince Philip). But the startling thing is that they mean more or less the same thing, eh?

Probably many of you out there are crying “foul” What is this? Though the Yorubas run into millions, there are countless millions who are not, and do not speak Yoruba. Here we can be intrigued by the one and only Ngugi wa Thiong’o who always says African languages must have primacy; and any translations would be diluted without the impact of the original.

Indeed this is often so. But since there are hundreds of languages in Africa alone, we have to make do with translations even if rather threadbare. So let us try to translate: “Ti bale ile bati’n fapari isu hon alejo, owe ile to lo nu” into English. We can say it means “When the grand host starts showing a shrivelled, truncated yam to the guest, it’s a covert way of telling the guest to depart!”

This is the same as what Prince Philip says; but the African version is more inventive and amusing. In parenthesis, the illustrious Chinua Achebe can reel out countless such inventive sayings by his own people, the Ibo (Igbo). No doubt this is the same all over Africa.

Sol Plaatje of South Africa, the first black man to produce a novel in English did all he could to highlight and preserve hundreds of Tshwana proverbs. Those in published form are also often inventive and intriguing.

But back to our proverb above, the Yoruba one. Many educated Yorubas will not be happy with the tentative translation into English. And millions of non- Nigerians too. For example the word “yam” which is referred to in the original ancestral proverb. It might sound incredible to many, but a very large number of Africans, including South Africans do not know what a yam is; have never seen one!

This might sound outrageous to Nigerians, and west Africans in general, but yam is not a staple food of countries like South Africa; it does not even grow there. But then again most Nigerians do not know good old pap (mealie meal), a staple for countless millions in southern Africa! But the problem still does not end here.

To appreciate the Yoruba proverb, one has to know what yam looks like, the stocky healthy one, its gratifying texture; its deep-seated, age-old, edifying role in many societies of yore. And even now! To be able to contrast wholesome, robust yams with the shrivelled ones. Perhaps with some imagination this can be achieved…

So back to the two “adages” quoted in the beginning of this piece. By now we can see how uncannily alike they are; from two completely different societies and cultures. “Do not over-stay your welcome!” Of course, the African (Yoruba) saying is more pithy and thought provoking. What do you think?

THE VAGARIES OF VILLAINS AND HEROES

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI


“The most excruciating unfair aspect of the World Cup from the African perspective was the exit of Ghana..."


The World Cup has always thrown up a compound of alleged villains and heroes – depending on the particular perspective. Just like classical history. Like Lord Nelson of the English naval battle fame is still revered by millions in England…but how do the French feel about him? Opinion is split on the likes of Napoleon Bonaparte …hero or villain?

But re football. In 1986 Diego Maradona scored his first goal against England in the World Cup, via a blatant handball. The “hand of God” episode which the millions of people in the English would never forgive him for – yet the same action elicited adulation for Maradona by many millions of Argentinians and South Americans.

To be more up to date, millions of Irish and their kindred “allies” like the English – were shocked when Thierry Henry “cheated” them out of qualifying for the World Cup finals after using his hand, even twice to create the crucial winning goal for the French. But millions of French were only too happy to get to South Africa, one way or the other. Henry was both a villain and a hero (Not that the French covered themselves in glory in South Africa, but that’s another story.

A horror story!

It continues to happen – incidents that tilt certain matches in favour of another side. Controversial incidents that the world would remember for decades, perhaps, for ever. Germany thrashed England 4-1 at this World Cup but millions of English would continue to blame the referee for disallowing what could have been a second goal converted by Lampard which would have made it 2-2.

Anyway even if the referee was not the most popular person in England or the British isles, you can bet millions of Germans would not see it that way. As far as they are concerned it was a comprehensive win for their side, whether the second English goal was disallowed or not. Such are the vagaries of villains and heroes even in football!

The most excruciating, unfair aspect of this World Cup from the African perspective was the exit of Ghana. There can be no doubt about it – Ghana should have won and been ensconced in the World Cup semi finals, the first African side to achieve this feat. With virtually the last kick of the match Ghana had more or less put the ball in the net, then Uruguay’s Luis Suarez handled, preventing the goal. The tragedy was compounded when Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan could not score from the resultant penalty award.

And Uruguay went on to march into the semi finals thanks to the penalty shoot-out.

The horror! (as Joseph Conrad would say). But what about the protagonist, Suarez? Certainly a villain to millions all over Africa, but a veritable hero in Uruguay. A shameless cheat from the African perspective, but the man who “greatly sacrificed himself to prod Uruguay into the semi finals” in South America. Which adumbrates the 2002 World Cup when Germany’s Michael Ballack “sacrificed” himself to put South Korea out of the very final. Hero to Germans, villain to South Koreans.

But Ghana being cheated out of the semi finals this time around takes the biscuit...

THE TOTTERING EDIFICE

BY OMOSEYE BOLAJI



“All our gods are weeping. Idemili is weeping.Ogwugwu is weeping. Agbala is weeping, and all the others. Our dead fathers are weeping because of the shameful sacril;ege..."

Chinua Achebe from his classic, Things fall apart


Yes, it does appear that things have been falling apart – big time – with our African representatives at the current football World Cup finals taking place here in South Africa. Things have been bursting apart at the seams as it were with our representatives, even to farcical proportions.

It is almost like a sort of melancholy procession, with concomitant elegy and dirge as our football takes a pummelling and battering at the highest levels. The omens were haunting enough when the fancied Cameroon became the first of our sides to be shown the doorway at this edition of the finals.

Some pundits have since claimed that there was no real reason why Cameroon should have been expected to pull up trees in the tournament. Tosh, says I. Cameroon have always been a formidable African side playing with pride, purpose, determination, élan and no small amount of skill. Who can forget Cameroon’s thrilling displays during the 1982 World Cup finals when they looked as good – even better – than any top world side (including Italy that they drew 0-0 with); refusing to lose even one of their matches at that finals?

Oh and by the way, yes we all know that Cameroon were superb and mesmerising during the 1990 finals; not only because of Roger Milla’s goals and creative play that prodded the country to the quarter finals; but also because of the titanic 1-0 win over Diego Maradona’s Argentina, when Oman Biyick secured victory with an incredible header. What remains of Cameroon’s pride and pedigree as they went out tamely this time – even losing to Japan!

Then it was the turn of Bafana Bafana, the hosts to depart the 2010 finals, happily with a win over beleaguered France. Many tried to put a brave face on it but it was still a tragedy; South Africa becoming the first hosts ever to depart at the group stages. So much more was expected from the team and its eloquent coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

As South African writer and sports journalist, Pule Lechesa, told me in Bloemfontein (where Bafana’s last game was played, and just after the match with France): “It is a pity we are ousted now. It is like orchestrating a prodigious, mammoth banquet (hosting the finals) and just when the real course of the repast looms, the host is politely told to watch the revellers from just outside the door!” How piquant!

Ah, well. The same night South Africa went out (June 22) Nigeria also bowed out – very unceremoniously, as far as I am concerned. The most difficult part was done when Argentina (who had already qualified) did the Eagles a favour by beating Greece 2-0. So all that was needed was a Nigerian win against South Korea. Oh, what a horror story! From calamitous defending to cataclysmic misses in front of the net…the 2-2 draw seemed very much like a good thrashing for the Eagles (note I refuse to use the word “Super” which would be farcical under the circumstances)

So, would Algeria or Ghana (by this time most Africans’ favourites to do well despite facing a massive clash with Germany) salvage Africa’s pride? Could they somehow make it to the next round? Their fates were decided on June 23. Algeria went out to a late American goal; Ghana lost to Germany, but were reprieved thanks to Australia's unexpected win. But it was hardly heart-warming.

The punctilious ones out there would holler now: “Hey, what about Ivory Coast? They are now out yet. They drew with mighty Portugal” But that’s precisely the sad point here. “Mighty” Portugal hammered seven goals past North Korea. Ivory Coast will likely have to do as much to go through hosane (tomorrow). Oh, Mother Africa and its gods! How many of you out there really believe Cote d’Ivoire will score so many goals tomorrow?!…

WORLD CUP 2010: The perspicacious ones

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

And so the sporting extravaganza, the cornucopia of football embracing the whole world kicks off Friday (11th June) in South Africa! Many might not appreciate this, but this awesome achievement is the culmination of a slow, global, eclectic process that nobody would have imagined just a short while ago.

The modern world, as we know it today replete with incredible scientific gadgets and such ancillaries, owes a huge debt of gratitude to the original pioneers, the fantastic men of vision, the perspicacious ones; men and women who selflessly dreamt that one day marvels like electricity, Television, aeroplanes, vehicles, radio etc would be invented.

During their time, such great people were often regarded as madmen by their peers. How could the things they were working on, trying to invent, ever come into fruition? Hardly anybody ever supported or encouraged them. Just over 150 years ago, the things which are common place now hardly existed in the world. But thanks to the great ones, the perspicacious ones, the profound inventors, these things that looked like miracles in those days are now common place even in Africa.

And so as the World Cup comes to Africa from this weekend, let us pay our tributes to these all-time greats who shook and changed the world: people like Galileo Galili, Marconi, Michael Faraday (the inventor of electricity in particular)

And what about Alexander Bell? (the telephone), John L Baird (Television) Orville and Wilbur Wright (the aeroplane), George Stephenson (the locomotive), George Eastman (camera), Guthenberg (printing)...

But as we are celebrating football in particular today, we must commend the great foresight of gentlemen like Jules Rimet (France) who about a century ago dreamt of the idea of the World Cup, and little by little made it work. Now the Fifa football World Cup is the greatest show on earth with unbelievable media and electronic coverage thanks to early inventors!!!

It is apposite to express fulsome kudos and thanks to those who made this incredible celebration of football hosted in Africa for the first time ever from June 11 a reality: from the goodwill and bonhomie of Fifa President Sepp Blatter, world icon Nelson Mandela - to the painstaking, Herculean efforts of former President Thabo Mbeki, and now Jacob Zuma, Danny Joordan who has laboured in this wise for almost 20 years; Irvine Khoza etc...

Of course one is not happy that so many injuries to pivotal players have hit squads, even up till the eve of the tournament. Top-notch players like Michael Ballack (Germany), Nani (Portugal), Rio Ferdinand (England), Arjen Robben (Holland), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast). But assuredly the tournament will still be of the highest quality.

And of course this columnist, like countless other African football lovers, is solidly behind Bafana Bafana, Nigeria, and other African king-pins in soccer, to do the continent proud. History is being made in gargantuan, mammoth fashion and we are all proud of it. Let the games begin with gusto…

A cursory look at THE TORMENTONE!

BY OMOSEYE BOLAJI

It is always a heart-rending sight and spectacle – familiar not only in Nigeria but all over West Africa. The phalanx of the unfortunate, with horrifying diseases – terrible afflictions that have to be seen to be believed

This unfortunate corps of people do not lie supine in their private houses or hospitals – they are right there in the open with mind-boggling injuries, gaping, festering sores, diseased veins or arteries patently visible from the outside, incredible tumours, medicine defying growths on the body etc. In public places, these people can be seen begging for their living, part of the talakawa (very poor), bringing tears to the eyes.

They can be seen by the roadsides, around bus termini; and just like in the old ancestral days they can often be seen at the King’s palaces even now – knowing that people will often give them gifts and alms, often heart broken, stricken with disbelief that such stunted, suffering people could exist.- stunted

Because the sight of this phalanx of afflicted people is so common in West Africa much of the horror that one would normally feel whilst seeing them apparently has vanished. I remember whilst growing up in places like Ibadan, Lagos, Kano how horrified I constantly was upon seeing what is no doubt the wretched of the earth – with their unedifying afflictions. Sometimes, such beggars would actually come very close to one so that one could see, eg the bloodstained holes in their gaping, ravaged chests – and this would have a vicarious empathetic effect, resulting in one giving them some money

It used to pain me that some people, especially the comfortable ones, would just dismiss such beggars by saying things like “This is blackmail. these people are pests” I used to think it was exceedingly unsympathetic of such people – as it is understandable that these beggars would have to survive one way or the other since there was no real, institutionalised buffer against their suffering “Pests, pests, tormentone – as they say in Italy” a former employer of mine used to refer to these beggars as they besieged his car regularly.

Strangely enough in South Africa such people – with extraordinary injuries, afflictions, patent eyesores – cannot be seen en masse in public places. It can even be argued that one can hardly see them at all. So it is not easy to paint the grisly picture in west Africa for many South Africans. What one intermittently comes across in SA, whether black, white or coloured, is a solitary beggar, blind man, or “half crazy” element; and this is VERY tame whilst juxtaposed with the army of the unfortunate in west Africa

Many might ask: why aren’t such horrific sights available in South Africa? Does it mean people with heart-rending diseases prefer to stay at home? That there are special homes for such people, so they do not constitute grisly sights in public? That such people are anyway limited in number in SA? The most accurate observation, I can state from experience, is that there are a number of special homes for such people in South Africa.

In any event the tormentone come across as very limited in public places South Africa. What is more common here are the so called street kids, the tsotsis, the skelms who are also tormentone in their own way – but often in a polite, meretriciously harmless way.

And they are almost always friendly, well-spoken, courteous, even if potentially dangerous. They often ask for money and other items from vehicle drivers, from the general public, and some of them confess to horrific crimes they have committed, once they become somewhat close to you. These pests also have their ways of vandalising things like public phones (for the money – coins - !)

Anyway let us just congratulate South Africa for preparing to host the world now, re the latest edition of the Fifa senior World Cup. It is a gargantuan achievement which goes with a myriad of responsibilities. South Africa has been pulling out all the stops to ensure that the event is a stellar success – from the infrastructural innovations, to the logistics. Here’s wishing all the African teams at the fiesta – Nigeria, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Algeria and Cameroon the best of luck as the event gets underway!

A TALE OF TWO CROOKS

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

“Each thing that goes away returns and nothing in the end is lost. The great friend throws all things apart and brings all things together again. That is the way everything goes and turns around. That is how all living things come back after long absences, and in the whole great world all things are living things. He will return”

Ayi Kwei Armah, in Fragments


I have a confession to make right from the outset – by using the word “crook” I am exceedingly guilty of euphemism; and some might even go as far as saying I am being disingenuous. Because these days “crook” has rather weak connotations, and I do have in mind the quintessential criminals!

I am talking of dyed in the wool, ruthless, unconscionable criminals. Those who take reprehensible things like murder, mayhem, bloodshed and rape in their stride. Think of legendary crooks like America’s Al Capone, and you begin to get the picture.

Alas, it is unfortunate, but true enough that over the decades such criminals have emerged in Africa and intermittently become a law unto themselves until the powers that be - via the police services, or even the military in certain cases! - finally manage to bring them down. But whilst their “reign” of terror goes on, for many, horror, undiluted fear and sleepless nights is their lot.

But let us cut to the chase, as I want to briefly focus on two notorious criminals, one based in Nigeria and one in South Africa. In Nigeria, the name of Lawrence Anini has become synonymous with vicious gangsterism; in South Africa a few years ago a criminal named “Chicken” terrorized many and achieved a larger than life reputation of his own.

Just as in the case of Anini, incredible rumours spread all over about the exploits and devilry of “Chicken”: many believed these men were not only invincible, but could also make themselves invisible; strange or unusual events were attributed to the evil and macabre machinations of these criminals. Children were exhorted to be careful always, and many even ensured their children did not go to school whilst these criminals were on the rampage.

In the case of “Chicken” in South Africa (Free State) his notoriety and fame reached a peak when virtually everybody began to display palpable fear and churn out stories of his latest macabre feats; when “Chicken” somehow temporarily managed to escape from prison (after being arrested) his notoriety reached a crescendo!

And both Anini and “Chicken” loved publicity. Anini, it was reported, believed he was some sort of “Robin Hood” whilst jumping from one woman to another. “Chicken” also loved the fairer sex and reportedly had his way with many of them in ruthless, despicable fashion. Anini and “Chicken” loved being the centre of attention, goading the media with both criminals believed to have actually phoned media houses, introducing themselves with élan, and reiterating their invincibility. This of course precipitated panic!

Yet in the end both criminals were exposed as mere mortals when they met their ultimate waterloo; in the case of Anini sentenced to death, having had a leg amputated upon arrest (Gone was his smugness when even then President Babangida could say something like “where is Anini?”) to law enforcement officials). And many still remember Anini’s pathetic: Erie a gbon ye? In fact both Anini and “Chicken” turned out to be rather frail looking and quite attractive; with the world wondering what all the fuss was about!

But what makes a man to become a ruthless criminal? This is the province of psychiatrists and sociologists, perhaps. But some will state that in the end what we are inundated with are largely theories being churned out; as sometimes an individual will just branch out on his own into crime despite a good background and relative comforts. I know a few of these in South Africa!

It is also claimed in some circles that even if one is “destined” to be a criminal, the individual can fight the urge and take the path of the straight and narrow. Socrates (the great Greek philosopher) for example was reportedly told early in life by a fortune teller that his destiny was to be a most accomplished criminal! But yet he fought it and went down in history as a profound man of wisdom…though some would still say that he was still killed by society in the end! (forced to commit suicide via hemlock)

Law enforcement agencies are doing their best all over the world to nip a medley of proliferating crime in the bud. Their task is not helped when the likes of “super-crooks” like Anini or Chicken emerge from disparate societies and throw their societies into panic. But at least history continues to show that nobody in fact is super-human or invincible…

THE PULSATING VANGUARD OF CHANGE

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

“We must acknowledge the fact – pimps, whores – are the familiar vanguard of the army of change. When the moment arrives a woman like Iriyise becomes for the people a Chantal, a Deborah, torch and standard bearer, super-mistress of universal insurgence. To abandon such a potential weapon in any struggle is to admit to a lack of foresight…”

- Wole Soyinka, in Season of Anomy


Dateline: 19th April, 2010


The hordes of people gathered at the Magistrates Court in Bloemfontein City picketed with élan. They protested lustily and ventilated their grievances for hours. And to boot, it was a “lawful” gathering as permission had been granted for them to get into their stride!

Some passers-by commented that those picketing were a “rabble” or some sort of trouble makers; but as they got closer they realized that this was a serious protest. Documents were in fact given to some of the passers-by touching on the root cause of the picketing. Others muttered that “Oh, we’ve read about this matter in the papers” and joined those protesting in the purlieus of the court.

Actually, most if not all of those picketing were decent people who had made a name for themselves. Many of them were “cultural activists” comprising dramatists, poets, musicians, painters – the whole gamut. They were all here in unison to protest what had been heralded as a “racist” killing – as a group of white men allegedly brutally beat a very talented young black man to death.

The facts briefly are as follows:

Sideku Gareth Wotshela (36) a black man was allegedly killed by a group of white men, with the main attacker being Marius van Niekerk who has been charged with the murder of Wotshela. Subsequently, controversial bail was granted to Niekerk – after Wotshela was viciously attacked by a group of white men at the Bloemfontein pub last year.

The deceased, Wotshela, was training as a manager for Metcash at the Trade Centre in Bloemfontein, and at the time of the attack he was on a business outing with colleagues and a client when he was allegedly attacked by a group of white men. “Sadly he passed on, dying on the spot; but shockingly the main attacker Van Niekerk was released within 24 hours of his arrest on bail hearing.” a family spokesperson said.

Race relations in South Africa, with so many disparate peoples and cultures, and the unseemly legacy of apartheid, have always been fragile and tenuous. The recent murder of a long-standing white supremacist leader, Eugene Tereblanche had not helped matters with many whites incensed at the brutal murder of the (now) ageing white man. In matters like this opinions are often polarized along colour lines, and the “Wotshela” matter was hardly different.

Now the gathering at the court premises included a plethora of well known “artists” One of them was renowned poet and public performer, Raselebeli Khotseng; Ntate Botsime, author, and musician who was in fine fettle with his guitar! ; Hector Kunene, writer, poet, columnist, and pungent literary activist; Mpikeleni Duma, journalist extraordinaire who over the years has strutted his stuff for a wide medley of publications nationally and internationally; F Qoopane and Co; these gentlemen seemed to be in the vanguard of the protest.

Mpikeleni Duma said: “I feel very strongly about this matter for many reasons. For one thing, I knew the late Wotshela personally and cutting such a talented gentleman down in his prime is completely unacceptable. For donkey’s years I fought against the scourge of apartheid, starting from a very young age and like the late Denis Brutus, the scars are embedded in me. I have no doubt in my mind that this (Wotshela) killing was racially inspired; and with others, no stone shall be left unturned in ensuring justice is done”

Oh, by the way, this columnist also knew the late Sideku Gareth Wotshela fairly well too, and he was a splendid journalist. To spout the usual banality - which seems so trite and inadequate under the circumstances - may his soul rest in peace.

THE DISTINGUISHED BARDS

"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.

February 22 2010 edition

Letter from South Africa

With Omoseye Bolaji

THE DISTINGUISHED BARDS

“The larger part of the labour of an author in composing his work is critical labour, the labour of sifting, combining, constructing, expunging, correcting, testing: this frightful toil is as much critical as creative”
-TS Eliot (all time great poet)


Years ago, when I was still quite young (but already in secondary school) I inadvertently met Mr. Odia Ofeimun the great Nigerian poet (above). I remember he was in a very amiable mood and talking to the “elders” around (well at least they seemed like elders to we young ones!) He was talking about books, poetry etc – his forte.

In those days we youngsters could not talk amidst elders except we were given “special permission”. But after some time when he was passing me I said to him: “I respect you as a great poet sir. I read some of your poems” I went on to refer to the particular anthology

He was suitably impressed. “You love poetry?”. I told him, honestly that I had already been introduced to good poetry in school and I loved many of them (the poets). It must have been strange to him to see a youngster like me referring to, and quoting the likes of Wole Soyinka, Lenrie Peters, Senghor, Kwesi Brew, Denis Brutus among others.

Mr Ofeimun was very friendly indeed and said something along these lines: “I was lucky to be launched by (Prof) Wole Soyinka who published some of my initial, early poems; the book was published abroad. I think that’s the anthology you saw. Soyinka was good to me and never looked down on me…we writers should help each other. Maybe you’ll publish book(s) of poems one day too,”

I must admit that it was never my burning ambition, even whilst young, to publish poetry! (More of this a bit later one) It was fiction that always fascinated me from infancy. I used to dream of writing lots of short stories and interesting novels. Well at least to some extent my childhood dream in this wise came true in the end!

Nowadays it interests me when it is acknowledged that I have done so much for poetry at grassroots level in South Africa (especially in the Free State) many of my old friends in Nigeria can hardly believe this. “When did you become such a great poetry lover?” they ask. “You did not like this genre so much in school” But the simple truth is that I have always tried to encourage literature at grassroots level wherever I am – and in the neck of the woods here, most writers are enamoured with poetry.

Don’t get me wrong – I am happy that I have helped many people with their poetry, publication of their books of poems etc, but it just happened. I would have preferred to help fiction writers but they are relatively very thin on the ground. Now I am satisfied to see so many poets that have emerged, got books published with my help. The list includes Tanki Phafoli, St George Vis, Job Mzamo, Kgang Motheane, Leslie Tlhabalelo,
among others.

I can not explain the curious fact that most of these writers emerge as poets. I do know that it is rare indeed to see writers of substantial fiction emerging from the grassroots level. In fact over the last 3 years for example I can state that the only veritable young “fiction writer” I discovered was Teboho Masakala (those interested can do some research on this very young man on the internet)

But back to our secondary school days (poetry). Looking back on it, at a very young age (or class) we were introduced to the best poets in Africa at least. I mean poets like Lenrie Peters, Brutus, Soyinka, Kofi Awoonor, etc are world class and we had to learn lots of their work even by heart. Strangely enough my all time favourite poem was actually the simplest in those days– Kwesi Brew’s sarcastic and nigh farcical Lest we should be the last.

Celebrated South African and Nigerian poets include Vonani Bila (a real catalyst for poetry in South Africa), Karen Press, Lebo Mashile, Kogsietsile Keorapetse, Odia Ofeimun, Wole Soyinka himself, and the great Chinua Achebe (though some critics tore his poetry apart!), JP Clark, Kaofela wa Mogogodi.

I have published three small books of poetry and none of them can be regarded as very successful, at least from the critical point of view. Apparently the first one, Snippets (1998) is regarded by most as the best; Reverie (2006) had a mixed reception; one critic calling it “an irritating exercise in self-indulgence”! Perhaps my only satisfaction was that Reverie sold quite well in USA! As for my other book of poems, Poems from Mauritius (2007) whilst it sold reasonably well it was also largely damned by the critics!

But at least African poetry is quite healthy and keeps on growing by leaps and bounds…

THE PUNGENT ILLUSTRATORS

"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.

February 15 2010 edition

Letter from South Africa

With Omoseye Bolaji

The Pungent Illustrators

I was relaxing at an eatery the other day when a slender gentleman came sidling up to me. Slender, wiry actually - almost with a cadaverous expression! He stared at me almost disconcertingly as if disappointed that I was not being friendlier towards him.

Then I remembered him and grinned. “Ah, the great illustrator; cartoonist” I said to him. “Long time no see”. A few years ago he had contributed a number of striking, imaginative, cartoons and illustrations to a South African newspaper I was editing. But the gentleman had just vanished. I reminded him of this fact.

“Ag,” he acknowledged. “Sorry about that. Greener pastures. Now I work for a government department. Regular pay check,” We both smiled. We reminisced on some of his outstanding cartoons; one rather berating Uncle Bob (Robert Mugabe); and the other one, a sarcastic illustration of the infamous episode in South Africa when some white students had mixed their urine with food offered to some elderly black lady cleaners!

“It was a great time eh?” he said. “All those cartoons I produced for your paper; a main highlight of my life. I have them all filed away for ever. The good thing about you is that you gave me my head. Leeway...you trusted me. You never forced me to do the illustrations in a particular way,”

My mind went back to the old days in Nigeria when I was a young columnist and had a complementary cartoon to go with my write-ups then. At that time, I was in no way as broadminded and “soft” as I am now! I used to tell my cartoonists exactly what I wanted and how it should be done. That was when I was at the Sunday Sketch newspaper!

Looking back on it now, I rather feel bad about it as the best cartoonists should be left alone to do their thing instinctively, drawing on their own idiosyncratic talents, since they are the experts in this field! Indeed Nigeria in particular has produced many excellent and long running cartoonists – since decades ago.

Hence early Nigerian cartoonists include Dele Jegede, Jossy Ajiboye, Cliff Ogiugo, Kola Fayemi, Bayo Odulana, Obe Ess, Dada Adekola, Nath Ngerem, Kenny Adamson, Lawrence Akapa (of Vanguard fame). More recently, the likes of Femi Arowolo, Kalu Mba and Kaycee have been strutting their stuff with panache.

In South Africa, of course there are a number of distinguished cartoonists too who are doing very well for the national publications like Daily Sun, Sowetan, Times among many others. But many would agree that the Morena (King) of them is Zapiro!

Jonathan Shapiro is Zapiro's real name, a very famous cartoonist indeed whose work appears in numerous South African publications and has been exhibited internationally on many occasions. He has been the editorial cartoonist for the Mail and Guardian since 1994, the Sunday Times since 1998 and since September 2005 he has appeared three times a week in the Cape Times, The Star, The Mercury and the Pretoria News.

Zapiro's work appears daily on the website of South African independent news publication, Mail and Guardian, and weekly on the site of the Sunday Times. Zapiro has published fourteen cartoon collections (books)!

Highly talented illustrators might be thin on the ground in many societies, but they pull off everlasting masterstrokes, for decades sometimes. Now I am thinking of book illustrators, especially the cover of books. I have always loved the rather old African classic The Voice by Gabriel Okara and my fascination for the book is partly because of the superb imaginative cover illustration (the African Writers Series edition) by Pedro Guedes; the illustration clearly shows the confused state of mind of the protagonist Okolo; and at the same time shows the anger, indignation and intolerance of the leaders like Chief Izongo!

My own book, Tebogo and the haka is liked by many, and a large number of readers have confessed that it is the imaginative illustration on the cover that they are enamoured with. “I love the book and I treasure it in my personal library mainly because of the book cover drawing - even if the book was rubbish I’d still have loved it!” a reader told me

Long live the imaginative, rib-cracking, even leg-pulling illustrators and cartoonists!

THE VAGARIES OF POVERTY

"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.

February 8 2010 edition

Letter from South Africa

With Omoseye Bolaji

The vagaries of poverty

Have you ever wondered about the vagaries of poverty? How you might visit 'impecunious, ignorant' people in the rural areas and they inundate you with savoury food and drink in munificent abundance?

Juxtaposed against this, many 'enlightened’ people in the toropo (urban areas) are so overburdened with sundry accounts for this and that, they can hardly feed their families - and despite what is actually a life of exceeding comforts they complain in strident fashion about how poor they are?

Indeed modern technology and extraordinary advances in science have largely served to distort the lives of proliferating millions. With these countless marvels - Colour (digital) TV, versatile multi purpose cell phones, satellite TV, internet, medley of sophisticated cars, designer clothes etc now commonplace, to most people they hardly realise they are living the good life!

Even in 'poor Africa' so many people hardly appreciate the good life they are living. Many people e.g change their cellphones and cars at the slightest whim...we take it for granted that modern technology has always been there but nothing can be more further from the truth. The world actually existed for many CENTURIES before electricity was discovered - comparatively very recently

Historical writers, scholars and novelists have lamented about the situation in England for example, just over 200 years ago. As Fay Weldon writes about that era:

“England (two hundred years ago) was a place without detergents or tissues or tarmaced roads or railway trains, or piped water, let alone electricity or gas or oil; where energy (what a modern term) was provided by coal, and wood and the muscle of human beings, and that was all…

"People were so poor – most people – they would run, and toil, and sweat all day and all night to save themselves and their children from starvation. Rather like (many parts of) India now.

“If you were a child and your parents died, you lived on the streets…If you stole anything worth more than five pounds you could be hanged or transported to a penal colony for life.

“If (what was stolen) was under five pounds there were long, harsh prison sentences in unspeakable prisons, and the age of criminal liability was seven” (italics mine)

Don't get me wrong; all over the world now, countless millions are indeed poor and starving. There are so many of them in Africa as wars and internecine fighting continue to wreak havoc; with consequent refugees, torture; the horrific situation in Haiti is a case in point too. But I have in mind situations where there is relative peace concomitant with modern science.

There is no doubt about it that there is horrifying poverty in many parts of Africa; specifically the plight of the beggars, the maimed, the horribly deformed – those some refer to as the talakawa. They are the ones who have every right to complain, moan and whinge about their condition.

As for despondent “comfy” denizens in places like Johannesburg, Cape town, Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Nairobi etc who believe 'life is hell' whilst actually enjoying life, please think again, will you?

THRILLS AND SPILLS AT ANGOLA 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 on a weekly basis.


February 1 2010 edition

Letter from South Africa (Column)

With Omoseye Bolaji

Thrills and spills at Angola 2010


The latest edition of the Africa Cup of Nations finals has just petered to an end. The cornucopia of football, and galaxy of proficient footballers essentially did Africa proud, with Nigeria doing quite well to get to the semi finals; though they could have done better!

The tournament, held in Angola in southern Africa started on a horrific note with the Togolese contingent being targeted and relentlessly fired on by miscreants. At least three people were killed and it is an indication of the “celebrity status” of the world we live in now that the western world seemed to be more concerned with the plight of Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor - as if one particular human life is more important than others!

In South Africa the interest in the tournament was immense but less than if the national team (Bafana Bafana) had qualified to take part in the continental fiesta. But since South Africa would be hosting the first (senior) World Cup ever to be hosted in Africa , and Angola 2010 was set to showcase the best of African football witnessing preparative competitive soccer. It was also natural that South Africans would wish other southern African teams (like Malawi , Zambia , Mozambique and hosts Angola ) good luck in the tournament.

But the initial ambience in South Africa was shock that the western world seemed to be linking the shootings (the attack on the Togolese) in Angola to shortcomings in security in Africa in general! As if the world would be at risk during the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa . Hence not only football honchos like Danny Jordaan, but hordes of sports journalists publicly stated that equating Angola with South Africa was ignorant and ridiculous .

Nigeria of course qualified to take part in Angola 2010 and large numbers of South African football fans supported the Super Eagles. Hence the shock when Egypt gunned down the Eagles 3-1 in the opening match of their group; nor was Nigeria ’s laboured win over Benin (1-0 thanks to a Yakubu penalty kick) anything to enthuse about. Millions were hoping that the Eagles would get their act together and try to go on an impressive run to show that Nigeria is still a footballing powerhouse.

It was quite gratifying to see Nigeria putting on a competent performance against Mozambique in their third match and winning by three goals to nothing. Mozambique had given Nigeria two tough matches during the World Cup qualifiers but also did the Eagles a great favour by defeating Tunisia 1-0 which helped Nigeria to qualify for the South African finals. Strikers are more likely to hit the back of the net with goals under their belt, so it was pleasing to see Peter Odemwingie and Obafemi Martins getting off the mark in the game against Mozambique .

Odemwingie has done well in the main for the Eagles since breaking into the team during the 2004 African Cup of Nations finals when he scored two brilliant goals against South Africa . His pedigree has always been unassailable, and another highlight for him was his superb goal against Tunisia in Abuja last year. Against Mozambique in the Nations Cup finals, his two goals were well timed with a symmetry that could hardly be bettered – he scored just before half time; and again just after the second half had kicked off

In the main, Southern African teams held their heads high among such exalted opposition. The highlight in the group stages was Malawi ’s sensational 3-0 win over Algeria ; the same Algeria that has always been among the top brass in African football; the same Algeria that defeated mighty Egypt to make it to the World Cup finals this year. It was not just that Malawi won the game - they comprehensively won with some superb finishing.

Angola did well to qualify for the quarter finals of the tournament. Their progress could have been a lot easier of course if they had not bizarrely let a four goal lead slip in their very first game against Mali ! But Ghana ended the hosts’ progress in the quarter finals.

As for Cameroon , they arrived at the tournament with the usual respect they command in the continent, with ace striker Samuel Eto’o stating from inception that he would relish banging in the goals. Yet he generally cut a forlorn, ineffective figure, especially in the first game which his country lost against Gabon ; and even in the 3-1 win against Zambia despite his (Eto’o’s) goal. He did little as his team bowed out eventually to Egypt .

Not that many Nigerians would be wishing Cameroon too much progress! There can be no doubt about it that no African team has suffered more at the hands of Cameroon than Nigeria over the decades – especially at the Nations Cup finals. In 1984, 1988, and 2000 (at home!) the Eagles met Cameroon in the very final of the Nations Cup but lost them all. Hence Nigeria ’s 2004 rare win over Cameroon (2-1) in the Nations Cup quarter finals was really something to celebrate for Nigerians!

Yet to be fair, kudos to Cameroon ’s Samuel Eto’o in particular, a magnificent player when at his peak. All time top scorer at the African Cup of Nations Finals. Scored vital goals in TWO European Champions league finals for Barcelona (2006, and 2008) to help them lift the great trophy. And he still added to his goals tally in Angola anyway, helping his country to the quarter finals, where they lost rather unluckily to an opportunistic Egypt .

Another of Nigeria ’s arch rivals, Ghana were to do very well at the Angola tournament. They lost their first game to Ivory Coast (3-1) and they were without some key players. Michael Essien of Chelsea is one of the most powerful, vibrant, dexterous midfielders in the world, and losing him was always going to be a blow. Yet Ghana still made it to the final where they met Egypt.

Last week Nigeria met Zambia in the quarter finals of the Nations Cup finals and many felt that this was probably a good chance for Nigeria to at least grace another semi final of a Nations Cup since 2006. Nigeria did win on penalties thanks mainly to the exploits of goalkeeper Enyeama; thereafter Ghana lurked in the semi finals last Thursday where the Super Eagles lost 1-0 to the Ghanaians.
* This article was written before the final of the tournament (which Egypt won 1-0 against Ghana); and the third place match where Nigeria defeated Algeria to clinch bronze

THE RADIANCE OF THE KING

"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.


January 25 2010 edition

Letter from South Africa (Column)

With Omoseye Bolaji

The radiance of the King

History is replete with the awe inspiring "omnipotence" of kings, throughout not only Africa but all over the world; till date the powerful monarchs and aristocrats still exist in so many regions of the world.

These monarchs often had frightening powers traditionally. Think about Herod of the Bible, for example, who had more or less powers of a king; and the demise of John the Baptist. Whilst we are told that Herod was unhappy to do it, he still had John's head (after decapitation) on a platter in order to please a lovely damsel!

In Africa, ancestral kings had such awesome powers that it is frightening to think about. There was pomp, there was ceremony, splendour, and riveting routines whenever the king was in court. The importance of the king and a glimpse of his powers can be seen from this excerpt from Ola Rotimi's classic Ovonramwen Nogbaisi where the king himself says:

"Let the land know this: Ovonramwen Nogbaisi is henceforth set to rule as king after the manner of his fathers before him...no matter how long and stout the human neck, on top of it must sit a head. Henceforth, a full moon's my glow - dominant, and un-open to rivalry throughout the empire"

Of course in England, the Royalty is still very powerful despite the conventions of modern parliaments and Prime ministers. The Queen still commands a great deal of respect world wide and the dignity associated with the throne still exists. Even as far as the oriental world, royalty survives globally.

Hence when Barack Obama the American president of America visited Japan late last year and bowed in front of the Emperor, back at home in America many were incensed. For many black Africans they would consider Obama's gesture as a kindly, broad minded one; showing respect for traditional leaders as only we authentic Africans can!

In Nigeria, kings and chiefs held sway over their empires and peoples for centuries before the white man came - and the good thing is that many of them still exist - and flourish; combining western orientation and awareness with ancestral practices. Of course historians remind us that even when the country (Nigeria) was colonised the British used the “Indirect rule” system of government wherefore the kings and traditional leaders were utilised whilst governing the sprawling territories; the facile "Dual Mandate" system being operated. In theory at least!

In South Africa, the most obvious monarchy system is of course the Zulu kingdom which still commands lots of following with ancestral practises, rites, traditions still being performed. The nearby kingdom of Swaziland is very much a monarchy too, no matter how eurocentric observers might criticise the extent of such powers ten years into the new millennium!

It is quite remarkable that despite the fact that we are in the new Millennium, the awe and prestige associated with the aristocracy still lingers on, in countries like South Africa and Nigeria. Certainly I was dumb founded with the resounding pomp and pageantry of the King of Ibadanland, Oba Odulana Odugade in August 2008 when I had the great honour of being conferred with a Chieftaincy title by His majesty.

It was just like one would imagine the scenario to be a couple of centuries ago in the king’s courtyard – with an ambience of exceeding festivity and gaiety; the king’s special drummers swinging into action in proficient fashion with the famous “talking drums” complemented with fulsome praise recitations; the gunshots punctuating the elaborate ceremonies; the army of proliferating people hanging on every word from the King, aristocrats and chiefs; and for good measure there was a fair sprinkling of pontifical rain too!

Perhaps some readers, upon seeing the title of my Column here - The radiance of the king - were seduced into thinking about Camara Laye's novel The Radiance of the King (Le Regard du Roi in its original French) which largely celebrates the fantastic elegance and pomp of an African king, with everybody trying to please him; including the very humble carver who spends such a long time working on churning out a special axe to please the king.

Yet my own opinion is that the author (Laye) somewhat undermines the overpowering effect and aura of the king in his book by presenting the king as rather weak, young and almost by association effeminate.

It is much easier to imagine a Morena (King) as imposing both in size and aura. Then we can associate him with "Kabiyesi" - as the Yorubas say - he who must be obeyed unambiguously, with transcendental reverence!

Tebogo and the pantophagist launched

"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.


January 18 2010 edition

Letter from South Africa (Column)

With Omoseye Bolaji

TEBOGO AND THE PANTOPHAGIST Launched


My new book, Tebogo and the pantophagist (2010) was formally launched in Bloemfontein, South Africa the other week. It was the seventh Tebogo Mokoena Mystery book. For writers and literary aficionados, such an occasion is always one to relish.

Hence the launch - which was held at the Batho Hall in Mangaung, attracted quite a number of those who relish and love the world and genre of writing. It was nice seeing some old faces again as they filed in, joked, confabulated and exchanged opinions and ideas.

There were fine poets like Tiisetso M Thiba and Richard Seape (Skietreker); the latter is a well known poet who garnered some controversy when he published his first book in Afrikaans (titled Apartheid ek gaan jou boks) The impressive Pule Lechesa, essayist, critic and poet was also in attendance. Thabo Mafike, publisher, prolific author and also a motivational speaker, was present too. So was Julia Mooi, a female writer who incidentally published a study on some of my works last year.

My mind went back to book launches in Nigeria and how it has got to the stage where largely, rich philanthropist aka chief launchers etc have to chip in to make books viable. At least four of my books in Nigeria have been launched in such a way - the last ones at the University of Ibadan Conference Centre in late 2008.

If only we could recreate the old days when books were cheap and everybody could buy them easily; the days when virtually everybody had impressive personal libraries at their homes throughout west Africa- the days when the art of reading and exchanging books reached an apogee!

The reviews and comments on my new book took some time at the launch; they were varied and (to me) sometimes controversial - I did not agree with some of the comments (when did writers ever agree with critics!!!) Anyway I include two or three minuscule excerpts here:

From Daniel Pela who said: "The beauty of the Tebogo Mystery series is that it largely encourages many of we black people at grassroots level to read and enjoy mystery books with local touches, the way our people talk, go to the pubs and shebeens, interact, the occasional skeletons in closets etc. It is heart warming to have our own detective like Tebogo operating like more heralded white sleuths like Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot or Ellery Queen”.

Charles Matorera observed: "In this latest adventure, common sense largely prevails again. Phantasy, irritating snobbery and over-contrived situations are largely kept in abeyance. The main criticism is that it is highly unlikely that a scientist can be so much a food lover (pantophagist); in reality such a person would most likely live in another world as it were, and skip things like lunches"

Critic Peter Moroe considered Debbie’s character in the book; concluding: "Her attitude here reflects how many black women who grew up in the townships would feel in a situation like this, with the condescending approach to animals. But note that both Tebogo, and Shasha (who is besotted with Debbie) condemn her attitude; this type of approach is typical of Bolaji’s fiction which tends to be conciliatory and broad-minded.'

It rather excites me that the Tebogo Mystery series is almost ten years into since inception! The first one I wrote and published was Tebogo Investigates (2000); this has now been followed by Tebogo's spot of bother (2001) Tebogo fails (2003), Ask Tebogo (2004) Tebogo and the Haka (2008), Tebogo and the epithalamion (2009); and now Tebogo and the pantophagist (2010)

Some of the members of the media at the launch asked me a few questions after the formal launch of the new book. One of them was: "Mr Bolaji, it appears that the early books in the Tebogo series had simple titles but rather complicated plots. But the last three have difficult titles but simple plots! I mean how many people in the African black world will know about the haka; what is the epithalamion; what is the pantophagist?”

I laughed but another reporter and reader came to my rescue somewhat by stating that it was not exactly true to say all my recent plots have been simple; he pointed out that he found the plot of Tebogo and the haka quite as complicated or even more than the early ones; and it was good to learn a few things from the recent books.

I tried to answer the question as simply as I could but to be honest I am not a fan of writers going out of their way to behave like celebrities. I have always believed that whatever we write must do more or less all the speaking for us (res ipsa loquitor?); and who knows all the arcane promptings and inspiration of writers anyway?

TRIBUTE TO SEGUN ODEGBAMI

"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.


January 11 2010 edition

Letter from South Africa (Column)

With Omoseye Bolaji


TRIBUTE TO SEGUN ODEGBAMI

It is a situation that usually bemuses and perturbs my South African friends who are ensconced in the sporting media. That is, my invariable reply when they ask me who I believe the best ever football (soccer) player was world-wide?

I always answer: Segun Odegbami! Of course Odegbami is not a national hero in a country like South Africa, the way he is in Nigeria. and the young/er Nigerian soccer lovers are generally unlucky not to have seen the great Odegbami live in action, weaving his intricate magic on the right flank for club (IICC Shooting Stars) and country decades ago.

Naturally, the football "experts' expect one to mention the likes of Pele, Maradona, Johan Cruyf, Puskas, or even current rave Lionel Messi whilst talking about the best player the world has ever seen. Often, I am at pains to tell these sceptics that yes, I know all about Pele, (I grew up watching videos of the man at his best); and I was among those who watched Maradona live at his pomp in 1986...

But yet I always still insist that Segun Odegbami is the best player I have ever seen on the field of play. I am sure many Nigerians lucky enough to see Ntate (“sir”) Odegbami at his best from around 1977 to 1981 will agree with me. But yet this is still inadequate because in 1984, Odegbami, coming back from an early retirement was still so good that he ripped defences like Mas Fes to shreds far away in Morocco where he scored another magnificent goal.

Basically, Odegbami was a soccer genius. He was a very intelligent, brilliant player, a real crowd pleaser and magisterial to boot!. He was perhaps at his best the fastest footballer the world has ever seen; going down the right flank like a dervish, brilliantly dribbling, tying defenders in knots; flamboyance per excellence!

And he scored lots of goals too, great goals, whether cutting in from the right and then unleashing a "banana shot"; or just a plain intelligent tap in; or hitting the net with his “computerized” headers after soaring in the air so majestically. What a player!

Although few soccer fans of that era might remember, Odegbami easily dominated at a time when Nigeria was blessed with brilliant right wingers; the likes of Baba Otu Mohammed; Sam Okpodu or even a burgeoning Tarila Okorowanta. But Odegbami was by far the best of the lot, feared and respected all over Africa (at his peak many players were consigned to mark him out of games) It was a great, great tragedy that Nigeria never made it to the World Cup finals at that time.

Whilst playing for his country, Odegbami was often lethal, with unbelievable body swerves and breath-taking speed. Among his best ever performances were against two North African countries: against Egypt in a World Cup qualifier in 1977 (which the then Eagles won 4-0); and of course against Algeria in the 1980 Nations Cup final (Lagos)

In that latter match (against Algeria) Odegbami was imperious for his country. Algerian full back Krouchi, was reduced to rubble as Odegbami turned on his phenomenal skills, especially in the first half. Apart from scoring two goals in that half, Odegbami adroitly created at least three other clear scoring chances for the late Muda Lawal. All squandered. But at least Nigeria won 3-0 in the end.

Does South Africa have such outstanding fantastic footballers? A country's best players can often be seen to the fore during that nation's finest hour - for example when Holland won the European Championship in 1988 the world witnessed confirmation that Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten were indeed world class.

South Africa's best moment came in 1996 when the country won the Africa Cup of Nations finals with excellent players like Doctor Khumalo, Shoes Moshoeu Shaun Bartlett and Mark Fish showing their prowess. Moshoeu was probably the most outstanding during this tournament.

Right now South Africa has prominent players like Benni McCarthy (though aging and hardly a regular choice at Blackburn in England as I write) Steven Pienaar has also been doing well, and Teko Modise is often dubbed the outstanding player locally in the South African league. None of these players however with the greatest respect, can hold a candle to the likes of Odegbami, or Adokiye Amiesiemaka or even Etim "Maradona" Esin or Austin Okocha

Those who witnessed Segun Odegbami at his prime would easily remember the incredible respect footballers all over the continent had for him during his playing career; watching him with awe as he juggled the ball, dribbled, feinted this way and that and embarked on his superb runs down the right flank. What a player!!!