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!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 3, 2010
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…
“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…
Monday, April 19, 2010
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.
“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.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
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…
Sunday, February 14, 2010
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!
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!
Sunday, February 7, 2010
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?
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?
Sunday, January 31, 2010
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
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
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