TEBOGO S SPOT OF BOTHER

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