THOUGHTS ON FREE STATE WRITING

Book: THOUGHTS ON FS WRITING (Literary Essays)

Author: Omoseye Bolaji                                                 

First published in 2002

Review by:  Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga

It is a popular belief that literacy is one of the important objectives for African people to achieve and in the process there are very interesting African people who are making extraordinary effort to fulfill this goal.  By now there are many prolific African writers who have made wonderful impression in the world of literature.  Others are dead and others are still alive:  they include  Achebe, Eskia Mphahlele, Simon L Bojaji, Obi Egbuna, Bessie Head, Sol Plaatjie, Mariam Mba, Ousmane Sembene, Lewis Nkosi, Zakes Mda, Ngungi, Vera, Mariam Tlali etc.  However, these pioneers of African literature have laid an absolute literary foundation for the generation that follow.

In looking at the book Thoughts on Free State writing, written by Omoseye Bolaji, surely one will be filled with great enthusiasm - so to speak.  The book definitely defined many aspects of literature that are not ubiquitous.  Those who are familiar with reading books will only think that literature is all about fictitious novels that specifically speak about romance.  Or certain writers who believes that literature can only exist during their times and without them there can be no literature.  But the book Thoughts on Free State Writing dismiss all this self recognize writers and substantially furnish a clear understanding of literature.  Following are some (essentially) excerpts from the book, Thoughts on Free State writers:

Literary Criticism

Many times I am asked by the people:  “How do you feel when your work is criticized?  It make us feel bad to read some people finding fault with what you’ve written.”

Literary criticism is an integral part of the world of writing.  If you are not criticized it means you are not being read, at least by those who know something about literature.

Imagination

In those days when Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart was first published the book made a great impression around the world as the author re-created an elegant, dignified, ostensibly civilized past of (the Ibo) people.

Mangaung Poets

Who is the “greatest” poet from the (Mangaung) townships?  Of course the question is invidious, even unscholarly. How do you decide who the “best”, the “greatest” is?  Comparisons they say, are odious, but we do so all the same.  In the end it all boils down to subjectivity, personal preferences.

Auto Biographies

In fact a large number of readers prefer to read biographies alone.  In fact Durrell wrote many books that millions of readers found very amusing.  ‘Wole Soyinka’s polished, elevated prose has also found expression in auto-biographical books like The man died,’ Ake: years of childhood; and Isara: A voyage around Essay.

Letters to a Poet

I have heard many people, including local journalist/writers, saying:  “How can a book be written, based on letters?”

But it is nothing strange, really.  For centuries, literature has incorporated letters/correspondence.  Epistolary writing, based on letters, was the forte of Richardson, centuries ago, e.g. Clarissa.

Biographies

Not everybody can write their life stories themselves, hence a biographer can come in useful.

Books for Children

It is said that writing for children is the most difficult genre of writing because the author has to somehow strike the right balance.  He or she must view the events through the eyes to the very young and still manage to keep the material interesting; the writer must not be patronizing and sort of look down on the children, etc

Education

We might as well remember that centuries ago in many parts of Africa, Islamic education was regarded as the ultimate-with Islamic scholars exerting great influence on the continent.  In fact we know a lot about old Africa.  Thanks to the writings of the likes of Ibn Batuta, Leo Africanus (Islamic scholars who visited Africa many centuries ago).

I am writing this in an attempt to point out that formal education is not a pre-requisite for being a good writer.  Once the rudiments, the foundation is there, a potential writer need not have much formal education.

Humour

Charles Dickens had an extraordinary gift for wit and humour, and created so many fantastic characters.

Reading

Most people have read a few books (literature) while in school.  Prescribed books.  This should provide a foundation for further reading.

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Omoseye Bolaji on the very same book has also reviewed African Renaissance.  To this end the late but still very much cherished Pule Lebuso has published two books on this theme:  African Renaissance anti-clockwise: and Africanism in contradiction.  In both books he unashamedly and unreservedly advocates a return to the past where morality held sway and men were men and women were proud of it- as it were.

Pule Lebuso has moreover add a tremendous input in the book and explain the fiction of Omoseye Bolaji.  The suave Bolaji enthralls us by making an awe-inspiring reflection on Free State writers:  Gilbert Modise, Flaxman Qoopane, Lebohang Thaisi, Pule Lebuso, Alitta Moleboheng Mokhuoa, France Nthejane, Teboho Mohanoe, Job Mzamo 

Thoughts on Free State writing  though a bit dated now (many other younger writers have emerged on the pertinent scene over the years) for me is still one of the great books produced by black African author.  Is the guide for those who struggle to understand what really literature is?  There are so many people in the world in particular in Africa who has the potential to become writers and they do not know where to begin.  Others have attempted to write but along the way they have been discouraged simply because they can’t have inspiration to try their ability.

 

There are thousands of people who attended schools and procure many academic certificates but yet nothing they can produce literary.  Similarly with those who knows the class room but didn’t necessary gain university qualification.  Africa can have multitude of writers but the only thing is the lack of ability to test our potential and our literary flair.

Thoughts on Free State writing will remain one of the best books in Africa and it must be used as an inspiration for the purpose of introduction of literature among the African people.  The important people who play the pivotal role in our society such as teachers, parents and apparently academics themselves have to familiarize themselves with the book and at the same time propagate its central mammoth meaning.  If the book can be properly known especially in the grassroots and in schools many people who are dubious about their literary aptitude will be strongly motivated and will start to write and write…

-          Review by Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga (pix below)