FURTHER GLIMPSES INTO AFRICAN LITERATURE

Book: Further Glimpses into African Literature
Editors: I. M Soqaga and Omoseye Bolaji
First published 2018
Publisher: Eselby Jnr Publications (South Africa)

By R. Mokoena
 
And so it is a new year and a new work out on African literature, essentially co-authored by the duo of I M. Soqaga and Omoseye Bolaji (above).

I could not hold back a wry smile upon seeing Bolaji's name on the cover as co-author or editor. This man, for decades now, continues to do fine things for African literature in almost every genre.  His longevity and consistency in this wise is so commendable.

And going through this work, one can see how much Bolaji contributes to this new book in prodigious fashion. He actually writes almost half of the 30- plus essays, reviews or profiles published here. His contributions include articles on:

Peter Abrahams

Wole Soyinka

Flaxman Qoopane

Heidi Holland

Charles Mungoshi

Adebayo Faleti

Dillibe Onyeama

Nadine Gordimer

Bra Willie Kgositsile

Cyprian Ekwensi

In addition to this, it is also noteworthy that the formal Introduction to this book is written by Bolaji himself ; in the same introduction he explains how the book came into fruition, and he especially praises the input of Mr Soqaga , stressing his zest and passion for literature. What a combination!

Let me also point out that this is not the first time Bolaji would co-produce a book...almost 20 years ago he combined with the late Flaxman Qoopane to write a biography, Gilbert Modise the man and the myth. But that was a slight work; the new book here is much more substantial.

Many times, people would badger the likes of me who they believe are more familiar with Omoseye Bolaji's works over the decades, and say something like: "This Bolaji is so prolific...he has published so many books; but how many exactly?" With this latest effort, let us try to attempt a comprehensive list of Bolaji's published books thus far:

The Termagant
They Never Say When
Eagles at USA 94
Snippets
Impossible Love
Fillets of Plaice
Tebogo Investigates
The story of Collins Mokhotho
The Ghostly Adversary
Tebogo's spot of bother
The Guillotine
You never know with Women
The Quack of QwaQwa
Gilbert Modise: The man and the myth (with Flaxman Qoopane)
Thoughts on Free State Writing
Tebogo Fails
People of the Townships
Molebogeng Alitta Mokhioa
Ask Tebogo
My Opinion
Reverie
The subtle Transgressor
My Life and Literature
Poems from Mauritius
Omoseye Bolaji: On awards, authors, literature
Tebogo and the Haka
Tebogo and the epithalamion
Tebogo and the pantophagist
Miscellaneous Writings
Tebogo and the Bacchae
It Couldn't Matter Less
Kunle Apantaku
Tebogo in the thick of things
Collected Poems
Far Up! Far Out! Far More!
Windmills of the Dames
Cognoscenti
Sorry You've been Troubled
Further Glimpses into African Literature (with I.M Soqaga)