Homosexuality in Tebogo s Spot of Bother
Book Tebogo s spot of bother (2001(
Author Omoseye Bolaji
Reviewer Ishmael
Mzwandile Soqaga
In a free democratic country human rights are importantly
recognized. For any country in the world
which follows the principle of democracy it is expected that its citizens
should have the freedom to enjoy life.
Human rights are the cornerstone of democratic order.
However in Africa democracy and the human
rights can be recognized differently.
Basically, African life and its society are mostly based on traditions
and cultural norms. Although, democracy
can be as good enough and efficient order, that is wittingly protecting the
rights of citizens against discrimination.
But in cultural Africa you will find certain things prohibited by the
legislature and unlike in Europe were you will find their governments accustom
with the complete democratic basic rules.
In other words there might be totally different lifestyles between these two
continents. For instance, things that
are usual in Europe or America can be outlandish in Africa. In Europe and United States of America
homosexuality can be seen as normal whereas in Africa can be view as bizarre. It can be interpreted as something that is
against God and ancestors in Africa. In
recent times we see how the western world reacted towards the Ugandan government
when it officially banned homosexuality in Uganda, and also in Nigeria. The decision to legislate homosexual as
illicit has infuriated the western countries to the extent that economic
sanctions may possibly considered. Not,
only western countries are in opposition with the legislation but other African
countries also raised their disapprobation.
Moreover, Cameroon also has phobic tendency towards homosexuality.
Notwithstanding, the book Tebogo’s Spot of Bother gives
some important details about homosexual life.
The whole story is happening in African society and the book has
ebullient revelation about homosexuality.
We must understand Omoseye Bolaji the author of the book have written
the book in fictitious way however it also show significant life of African
society, I think he has done the great work to write this wonderful book. Verily it is educative, relevant and is more
likely to be used in schools and universities for academic researches. Necessarily, it can be used for many reasons
especially when it comes to African lifestyle and perception.
The sister of Tshabalala has been found dead in her renting
house, but his brother could hardly believe that his sister committed suicide
as the police have alleged. Therefore,
he took the decision to visit the private sleuth in the city of
Bloemfontein. The real purpose was that
Tebogo the famous investigator might know better (about Palesa’s death) because
of the skill he posses; especially when it comes to the murder cases.
Subsequently, what therefore followed - was
the series of consultation by Tebogo to the people who were much closed to
Palesa. When he was in Phahameng were
Palesa was renting and were she died, he learned that her closed friend was also
residing in the same area. When he
energetically made his visit to Palesa friend, he found her not available. But luckily he found Granny in the house. They started to converse and their
conversation went like this: “Palesa”
granny remarked. “A bright young
lady. She turned her life around…” My ears picked up, remembering the man had
said more or less the same thing yesterday.
“She retained her dignity”
She now seemed to be talking in a soliloquy, as if I was not
really there. “At least she stopped that
nonsense. I told them what they were
doing was unnatural. In those days… Locking themselves in the room… all women… a
sin, I told them. Palesa listen and
stooped it.
At such moment one must not be shocked – externally, at
least. I felt this might be
important. Granny looked at me again,
and I knew I had to say something to make her continue. This must be important.
So I smiled. “But ma,
things have changed nowadays. Men and
women are free to do things which were not normal in your days. Are you saying these things never happened
when you were a lovely young lady?”
She was genuinely shocked.
“Abomination!” She said. “Women making love to each other while
getting drunk!
Absolutely, the conversation is quite enthusiastic and
delightful. The granny was completely
against the shameful same sexual relationship.
She related the whole thing to her past golden years, when African life
was strict and palatable. Women must
know men as her partner and vice verse.
However, on the other hand Tebogo tried to accentuate that nowadays
things have changed. The whole
conversation brings me closer to the question that “why old lifestyle and the
new one always collide?” Then which one
is appropriate between the two?
In one of the famous soapies in South Africa generations in
SABC One; we see two male couples living together as wife and husband. Senzo is the wife of Jasen and the two are in
love indeed. They have feelings and
affection for each other; and they can enjoy their marriage life exceedingly
same like men and women. But what is
confusing is the matter of progeny.
Certainly they can’t produce children but here Senzo found himself
having a child with another woman Noluntu.
The surprising thing here is that a gay woman having a sexual intercourse
with real women. The soapy I guess try
to promote homosexual life and simultaneously educate South African society
about homosexuality.
In the book Tebogo s Spot of Bother three female characters; the deceased Palesa, Rakwadi and Lorna
practically are homosexual. Sometimes
their jealousy can make them hate each other to the point that their feelings
can be intractable. Is plainly evident
in Omoseye Bolaji book were we see Lorna poison lovely Palesa who ultimately
died. Definitely, she was not happy with
Palesa involvement with Rakwadi and she concluded to murder her lover with a
poison.
In reality in African society, homosexual is view as weird
and is negatively dismissed as eccentric behavior. Fundamentally, is strangely taken as the
tradition of the west, and moreover television has been criticize as the sole
influence in African society as most of the time its programmed are mostly
based on Eurocentric attitude. Recently
other technological features like Smartphone’s and internet are now becoming
predominantly in Africa. In particular
young ones are easily entice in this modern technology. But by outlawing homosexuality, is it really a
possible solution to deal with this foreign trend which is called
homosexual?
Indeed in Africa homosexuality is not popular as people who practice it sometimes are afraid to come out
openly. Then if such situation exist
when people become afraid to be seen as gays and lesbians as they afraid for
their life, therefore what are ways to deal with this phenomenon? Homosexual group’s rights may argue that
nothing wrong with homosexuality but in African context is unacceptable. But it is really making sense to discriminate
against the gays and lesbians and harshly to outlaw them?
First and foremost African parents rely on
formal schools to provide quality education for their children and at the very
same time neglect to entrench African education to their children. For instance in the heterogeneous country
like South Africa you cannot expect the government to pass the law that forbid
and discriminate homosexuality. I do
believe that Africans themselves have to do something about their cultural
situation which is gradually waning.
Rudiments home African education which I think is lost among the
Africans must be emphasize and resuscitated.
Palesa s Father depended on physical obedience. She grew up under strict parental control and
her Father was a disciplinarian. He
never hesitated in using the cane or sjambok if he thought the same was
necessary. There were strict rules. While Palesa brother embrace discipline, but
he also belief his Father took it too far.
Even when they were over 18 he still beat them sometimes. Despite the fact that Palesa was a model daughter,
never mixing freely with boys but her Father was still tough with her. Palesa family belief in strict discipline
were physical beating was prioritize more than parental education. Strict parental discipline without parental
education can have negative repercussion in child life.
Review by Ishmael
Mzwandile Soqaga
