Book: Tebogo Investigates (2000)
Author: Omoseye Bolaji
Review by Ishmael Mzwandile
Soqaga
It remains an exhilarating process when one re-reads Omoseye Bolaji's earlier works; like this one. His books
which mostly blossomed in Free State are profoundly excellent as some revealed
local names of the township and its people.
In the book Tebogo investigates, a particular reader especially the one
who is residing in Free State will be amazed to found out about township names
such as Bochabela, Rocklands and Heidedal which are in Bloemfontein. The whole episode in the book is taken place
in the township of Bloemfontein. This is
what makes Omoseye Bolaji an African writer of the people. His most superb and bodacious fiction
although they gain a lot of international recognition, but are originally based
on local reality. He continuously writes
in English and moreover, his fiction reflects a clear picture of African
society.
Tebogo investigates begin with the party that Richard Modise
has arranged for his weeding ceremony.
Actually, as his marriage was new; only a month, the celebration was not
expected. Family members were informed without
being notified; maybe a week before. Not
long the wedding had taken place but suddenly the anniversary. Promptly, all who were not informed formally
but officially invited they finally responded positively. Present in the party was Richard family, his
Mum (Grannie), his sister Nono and his brother Mike. The invitation was also extended to Mandla,
Richard worker, and to Neo who was also working for Betty’s Salon the cousin of
Richard. What is questionable and
amazing was the lack of presence of Susan family. Before she got married to Richard, her friend
was Betty who wasn’t in the party. She
was bitter with Susan and to invites Betty was futile, because she won’t bother
herself…
Although the invitation to the party was not anticipated by
many; apparently Richard was a content man, because he has married to the
beautiful women (Susan). All in the
party were enjoying themselves; they were drinking, eating braai meat and so
on. It was a wonderful moment for
Richard who was very satisfied and happy.
None was thinking negative; it was time for enjoyment and partying. Probably, something went wrong when the
superb writer, who also got invitation to the party unexpectedly; being part of
the party. In the first place a writer
and journalist by the name of Moalusi was a long friend of Richard.
Moalusi could not miss the precious opportunity;
to attend his friend wedding anniversary party, especially when he was not
present during the weeding. His health
was not well and probably everybody who knows him was aware about that. Poor and hapless Moalusi he didn’t bother to
ask Richard about his new wife. However,
he was so keen to celebrate with his friend.
Knocking on the door which Neo opened with gusto, entered Moalusi with lot
of energy and excitement, but his feeling of excitement was sporadic.
Within a short period of time, he completely
changed and no one in the party really wishes to be closed to him except Mike
the brother of Richard. It was explained
that, the reason why he behaves like that was because of his weak health. And Richard attests to that. In the meantime joy and drinking was
continuous. Food was served and Moalusi
was also served with food. Apparently,
Mike was the one who was interested to Moalusi.
Mike was familiar with literature and he loves the world of reading very
much. Since he was 13 or so he read a
book titled David and The Gangsters. Then
he become hooked on African fiction, fondly, he is ardent to Achebe. It was a very bad time for Moalusi whose book
was about to come out. Subsequently, in
the morning; it was found that Moalusi was murdered. The police investigated but their founding’s
failed to reveal the truth of the murder.
However, the murder of innocent Moalusi never find a good
space in the heart of Richard his long time good friend, especially when the
police speculated that all in the party were suspects. Imperatively, he made efforts to found a
private investigator “Tebogo”.
Richard’s desire was that this matter must be concluded and whoever is
guilt with the murder must be punished.
Richard inherited his Father business and he looks completely suitable
for that. Therefore, he was minted.
However, by being involved in marriage with
Susan was rather perhaps a goof. But
Richard Mum was fairly satisfied with Susan, in particular after a doldrums
history of love that Richard experienced.
But to Nono and Betty, Susan was nothing but a gold digger and fortune
seeker. Nevertheless, to man Susan was
sexually attractive. Mike could not
control himself towards her and Mandla on the other hand may be jealous when
other men get closer to her. Tebogo and his allure, who is rather epistemic in investigation, surprisingly was also fascinated
by her.
Melancholic, the revelation of Moalusi murder was finally
exposed and it was very unpleasant to found out who did this cruel thing. But the truth of the murder was very
important to Richard. Susan who firstly
tries to be tough to deny the truth about the murder of Moalusi, ultimately she
succumbed to Tebogo and she was arrested. Essentially, the book Tebogo Investigates
poses many serious questions, as why Susan did not appreciate her past
promiscuous life. By assessing early
marriage life of Susan with Richard you can be convince that she was a change
women. She was appealing to her Mother
in law despite objection from Nono and Betty.
The sad reality is that Richard happiness has changed to a tragic situation. After a long bad history of
love with women, again another excruciating thing is happening to him. Who must
be blame on this situation? Mr. Moalusi
presence in the wedding anniversary party was a threat to her marriage. Maybe she worried extremely until she reached
the abnormal stage that contributed to the loss of her human sentiments and
sympathy. As she blatantly confess to
Tebogo that “She killed Moaluse in a moment of madness”.
Indeed she didn’t expect Moalusi to be a
friend of his husband. She was faced with a dilemma. Obviously her fear was
Moalusi will reveal something that she doesn’t want her husband to know about,
that she once in her life being a prostitute.
Definitely, Moalusi with not doubt was going to inform his friend
Richard that he too slept with her and that his new book was about a woman whom
he used to sleep with. But to murder a
quite talented and honest Moalusi was a real solution for the survival of her
marriage?
The whole idea was utterly
dastardly. Richard lost both; his friend
Moalusi and his wife. On the other hand
Susan destroys her reputation and will serve a long sentence in jail while she
was supposed to stand firm for her marriage.
Now Richard is the lonely men?
Who knows; that he will trust women again in his life, especially after
all this misery?
