Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga reviews Omoseye Bolaji's TEBOGO INVESTIGATES

Book: Tebogo Investigates (2000)

Author: Omoseye Bolaji

Review by Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga

It remains an exhilarating process when one re-reads Omoseye Bolaji's earlier works; like this one. His books which mostly blossomed in Free State are profoundly excellent as some revealed local names of the township and its people.  

In the book Tebogo investigates, a particular reader especially the one who is residing in Free State will be amazed to found out about township names such as Bochabela, Rocklands and Heidedal which are in Bloemfontein.  The whole episode in the book is taken place in the township of Bloemfontein.  This is what makes Omoseye Bolaji an African writer of the people.  His most superb and bodacious fiction although they gain a lot of international recognition, but are originally based on local reality.  He continuously writes in English and moreover, his fiction reflects a clear picture of African society.

Tebogo investigates begin with the party that Richard Modise has arranged for his weeding ceremony.  Actually, as his marriage was new; only a month, the celebration was not expected.  Family members were informed without being notified; maybe a week before.  Not long the wedding had taken place but suddenly the anniversary.  Promptly, all who were not informed formally but officially invited they finally responded positively.  Present in the party was Richard family, his Mum (Grannie), his sister Nono and his brother Mike.  The invitation was also extended to Mandla, Richard worker, and to Neo who was also working for Betty’s Salon the cousin of Richard.  What is questionable and amazing was the lack of presence of Susan family.  Before she got married to Richard, her friend was Betty who wasn’t in the party.  She was bitter with Susan and to invites Betty was futile, because she won’t bother herself…

Although the invitation to the party was not anticipated by many; apparently Richard was a content man, because he has married to the beautiful women (Susan).  All in the party were enjoying themselves; they were drinking, eating braai meat and so on.  It was a wonderful moment for Richard who was very satisfied and happy.  None was thinking negative; it was time for enjoyment and partying.  Probably, something went wrong when the superb writer, who also got invitation to the party unexpectedly; being part of the party.  In the first place a writer and journalist by the name of Moalusi was a long friend of Richard.  

Moalusi could not miss the precious opportunity; to attend his friend wedding anniversary party, especially when he was not present during the weeding.  His health was not well and probably everybody who knows him was aware about that.  Poor and hapless Moalusi he didn’t bother to ask Richard about his new wife.  However, he was so keen to celebrate with his friend.  Knocking on the door which Neo opened with gusto, entered Moalusi with lot of energy and excitement, but his feeling of excitement was sporadic.  

Within a short period of time, he completely changed and no one in the party really wishes to be closed to him except Mike the brother of Richard.  It was explained that, the reason why he behaves like that was because of his weak health.  And Richard attests to that.  In the meantime joy and drinking was continuous.  Food was served and Moalusi was also served with food.  Apparently, Mike was the one who was interested to Moalusi.  Mike was familiar with literature and he loves the world of reading very much.  Since he was 13 or so he read a book titled David and The Gangsters.  Then he become hooked on African fiction, fondly, he is ardent to Achebe.  It was a very bad time for Moalusi whose book was about to come out.  Subsequently, in the morning; it was found that Moalusi was murdered.  The police investigated but their founding’s failed to reveal the truth of the murder.

However, the murder of innocent Moalusi never find a good space in the heart of Richard his long time good friend, especially when the police speculated that all in the party were suspects.  Imperatively, he made efforts to found a private investigator “Tebogo”.   Richard’s desire was that this matter must be concluded and whoever is guilt with the murder must be punished.  Richard inherited his Father business and he looks completely suitable for that.  Therefore, he was minted. 

However, by being involved in marriage with Susan was rather perhaps a goof.  But Richard Mum was fairly satisfied with Susan, in particular after a doldrums history of love that Richard experienced.  But to Nono and Betty, Susan was nothing but a gold digger and fortune seeker.  Nevertheless, to man Susan was sexually attractive.  Mike could not control himself towards her and Mandla on the other hand may be jealous when other men get closer to her.  Tebogo and his allure, who is rather epistemic in investigation, surprisingly was also fascinated by her.

Melancholic, the revelation of Moalusi murder was finally exposed and it was very unpleasant to found out who did this cruel thing.  But the truth of the murder was very important to Richard.  Susan who firstly tries to be tough to deny the truth about the murder of Moalusi, ultimately she succumbed to Tebogo and she was arrested. Essentially, the book Tebogo Investigates poses many serious questions, as why Susan did not appreciate her past promiscuous life.  By assessing early marriage life of Susan with Richard you can be convince that she was a change women.  She was appealing to her Mother in law despite objection from Nono and Betty. 

The sad reality is that Richard happiness has changed to a tragic situation.  After a long bad history of love with women, again another excruciating thing is happening to him. Who must be blame on this situation?  Mr. Moalusi presence in the wedding anniversary party was a threat to her marriage.  Maybe she worried extremely until she reached the abnormal stage that contributed to the loss of her human sentiments and sympathy.  As she blatantly confess to Tebogo that “She killed Moaluse in a moment of madness”. 

 Indeed she didn’t expect Moalusi to be a friend of his husband.  She was faced with a dilemma.  Obviously her fear was Moalusi will reveal something that she doesn’t want her husband to know about, that she once in her life being a prostitute.  Definitely, Moalusi with not doubt was going to inform his friend Richard that he too slept with her and that his new book was about a woman whom he used to sleep with.  But to murder a quite talented and honest Moalusi was a real solution for the survival of her marriage? 

 The whole idea was utterly dastardly.  Richard lost both; his friend Moalusi and his wife.  On the other hand Susan destroys her reputation and will serve a long sentence in jail while she was supposed to stand firm for her marriage.   Now Richard is the lonely men?  Who knows; that he will trust women again in his life, especially after all this misery?

THE TERMAGANT

By Omoseye Bolaji

It was clear from the beginning that I had been seated beside a female
battle axe in the plane. She looked formidable and hostile. Her first
words to me as I told her I was supposed to sit beside her were:

 "Just make sure you do not disturb my bags up in the compartment
upstairs. Put that bag of yours in a reasonable space!" She was
haughty and pugnacious from the outset.

And no sooner was I seated beside her than she began to complain about the charming air
hostesses. "These girls, women are not good. They are bad!" In my
innocence, being a mere male I had assumed that the hostesses were the
epitome of beauty, grace and good manners. But tell that to my
companion here! the virago on my left!

Then something now happened that sent something of a chill down my
spine. One of the hostesses to our left slipped and fell slightly. And
my companion muttered distinctly: "Let her goddamn leg break
completely!". 

I winced. What type of monster was I saddled with
during this flight? Now she was complaining about "immorality and bad
behaviours these days" They (i.e hostesses) must bring the food etc..."

Suddenly a thought struck me and I felt like crying. Always during
such trips I would enjoy lots of beer...but it was clear that with
this termagant beside me, she would not tolerate such things. Oh my!

Yes it was my privilege to order liquor if I so wished, I owed her
nothing etc; but these were theories. In reality I knew I could not,
with my shy nature, order any beers with this battle axe beside me.
What a dreary flight this would be.

Soon enough the pertinent hostess came to us and said to the lady beside me: "Do you care for a
drink ma'am? We have assorted soft drinks, even wine," I turned away
to hide my frustration and anguish.

The tough female passenger beside me replied: "These your wine bottles are too small...so give me TWO bottles of wine..."

Suke! I was now shaking with relief and excitement! The virago had nothing against alcohol! I grinned broadly as the hostess said to me: "And you sir...do you want some wine, or beer; or
both?"

"BOTH please!" I said, almost crying with relief. "I can start with two beers, and a bottle of wine!!"

Oh beer! I now fully realised what our great Wole Soyinka meant when he wrote about beer
being "transfigured" to exalted heights in his memoirs, You must set forth at dawn. This was after Soyinka after a horrific trip across the border (running away from Abacha regime) wanted a beer at all costs
and somewhat miraculously got it!

My companion and I both enjoyed our drinks….

THE REPROBATE

By Omoseye Bolaji

It seems I have been spending my whole life in diverse hotels for the last two weeks ago. Hotels in Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Kempton Park, Ethiopia - and (we ll come to that a bit later on(

One of the hotels in Gauteng (we need not mention it( is etched in my mind because I met a certain Gentleman there that in my mind I dubbed a reprobate. Around 5 - 6 in the evening he would sit with me in front of the Guest House and start spewing out obscenities and embarrassing stuff, beers in tow

Terrible hotel we are in here, he would start. I always pity the female staff here. This place is Sodom and Gomorrah as it were; no wonder there is so much aids around , men and women just drive in everytime and do their thing; i like peeping inside the waste basket that side; full of used condoms, dirt pads and so many disgusting things. How do you sleep at nights? Aren t you disturbed with all the sounds of love-making going on?

No, I lied. So many good time girls around, the reprobate went on. Dozens of useless girls, though many of them are quite pretty. They frequent the rooms here lookingt for men to sleep with them. Black, coloured, white girls....if you are interested...

I winced....even in my hotel *Top Ten* later on in Addis Abba, Ethiopia I shuddered at some of these memories, the tang of the Ethiopian soap on my skin. I hoped I had had enough of hotels. Now for Lagos, Nigeria where I would bask amidst people at grassroots level. Eniyan laso mi as they say.

Then I got a message from my host in Lagos. He seemed to be excited. You know I know you have been stressed the last few weeks or so hence I have a treat for you, the message said. Once you get to Lagos I am putting you up in a hotel...

Oh no! Not a hotel again....

THE HAPLESS LADY

By Omoseye Bolaji

I entered the house through the new passage way on the left. Yes it had been quite a while since I was last here! Some four years ago. Life moves on

Yet it was a family I had a lot of respect for; comprising three matriarchs in their late 60s, and their offspring including the nieces - like Didi; who I now noticed was sitting down at a sort of dining table, a disconcerting, jarring expression on her face while the matriarchs beamed at me.

I moved closer to Didi, a bit bewildered at her haunted, languid face, and the way her right hand seemed lifeless.

"Seems Didi does not know me again," I tried to joke. Unsuccessfully. Now I noticed she was  using crutches. What was this?

"Oh" I said. "I'm sorry. Seems you have been in an accident," It was patent to me now that her right hand was largely useless.

Didi at last spoke now, and I soon realised that mentally at least she was as sharp as ever. "Not an accident, Bolaji," she said slowly and strangely. "I have had a stroke, paralysing some of my body parts".

I winced. I was so shocked that I found myself bursting out rather crazily: "How the hell can you have a stroke at 40 when your mother, your aunts (the three matriarchs referred to earlier) are as strong and active as oxes -".

"You know our Didi stresses too much" two of the matriarchs said now. "It is very sad indeed,".      

"I want to talk to Bolaji alone; explain things to him," Didi said, in effect dismissing the matriarchs.

 Alone, she now told me why and how she had become so stressed, worried about a particular debt she had, and how the creditor had hounded her till the stroke was precipitated. I was horrified to learn that the money she owed was not even up to a thousand rand! And she had suffered a stroke! Amother of two kids!

My mind went back to many years ago when I had been new in this area in South Africa; Didi personally organising, giving me things like curtains and some kitchenware for the first place where I had stayed…

But now she was saying; "If you can help me beg the Creditor...I will give you his contact details. Beg him for me, tell him I have been very sick, I lost my job...I can t pay him now...pls beg him for me..."

My voice hardened. "I am certainly NOT going to do that," I said; she looked disappointed, hurt.  

Then I said: "You see we must remove the root of your stress, the debt. So the only help I can give you is give you the money to pay that accursed creditor. So I am gonna give you the money, or most of it in cash,"

She stared at me, incredulous. "No, but - I know you are not rich -"

"Don't worry about that. The important thing is for you to pay the guy, start getting better fast for the sake of your kids...and that's an order. I am giving you the money in return for you to recover quickly!!".

I gave her in cash most of the money she owed the "creditor". As tears came to her eyes, I looked away, feeling bad at the cruel vicissitudes of life...

GLORIOUS EAGLETS POISED TO CELEBRATE AGAIN

By OMOSEYE BOLAJI

Tens of millions of Africans, especially Nigerians have been celebrating as the Under 17 national football team, the Eaglets have taken the world by storm during the current Under 17 World Cup finals; this week the Eaglets swept into the very final with panache, swatting aside an adept Swedish team in the semi finals 3-0.

Cue widespread celebrations all over the nation; the young ones have indeed been doing the country and Africa proud and are poised to meet Mexico in the final – with the Eaglets definitely favourites to win – a victory in the very final, and unbridled joy would sweep through the country….

Yet a very large part of the footballing world would be forgiven to think what the fuss is all about. It might seem shocking to realize that even among ardent football followers most of them just do not care about the under 17 World Cup; most of the excitement alas is concentrated in Nigeria! Certainly in South Africa hardly any of the teeming football lovers are aware of the current feats of the Eaglets.

Yes, this would surprise many especially Nigerians who for decades have always loved the exploits of the Eaglets who (before this current final) had won this particular World Cup at least three times. Those of us who are “old codgers” remember all too well the incredible glee in 1985 when Nigeria won the maiden edition of the international competition. The likes of Nduka Ugbade (then peerless Captain of the team) became legends (see pix above). Extraordinary laurels were bestowed on the victorious kids at the time.

It was more or less the same in 1993 when the then Eaglets, inspired by the gangling Kanu Nwankwo brilliantly won the Under 17 Cup again. Great happiness swept the land, and Nwankwo in particular at least went onto have a wonderful career as a brilliant footballer all over the world. For decades Nigerians have always followed the progress of its Under 17 and Under 20 or even 21 squads. It is still the same….

Yet the western world considers such tournaments as very small beer indeed, hardly even bothering to send decent squads to such events. The parent clubs often frown at the idea of their key players starring at such tournaments and look for excuses for such starlets to withdraw – in the end a second string squad would “grace” such tournaments, a team barely recognizable to pertinent  football followers!

Why are these “big” footballing nations sceptical of such global tournaments for the kids; why would they not relish the opportunities for their starlets to garner even more exposure? Suffice it to say that these exalted clubs care only about themselves really, and do not want the possibility of such players being injured…and of course apart from the lofty national football leagues in countries like Germany, Spain, England, Italy, there is also a lot of concentration on the European Champions League for clubs; hence the tournaments for the youngsters become something of a nuisance and irritation on such shores.

In fairness to South America, they often take the age-competitions quite seriously, and it is no surprise that the world is soon alerted to extraordinary talents from Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay etc thanks to the Under 20, or Under 17 tournaments. Argentina for example showcased the skills of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguerro from such early age grade competitions. In Africa this is also often the case; especially in Ghana which is famous for unearthing and encouraging talented kids from a very young age. The 6-1 thrashing of Egypt (by the Ghana national team) in the latest World Cup qualifiers is recent proof that the Ghanaians certainly have their eye on the ball as it were.

As Africans we can state that we believe unequivocally in the efficacy of tournaments like the Under 17 and the under 20 World Cup finals. More than that, we relish and bask at such occasions. Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon etc have traditionally done well at such events. And right now Nigeria is expected to win the latest edition of the under 17 World Cup final this Friday. The boys have been doing very well with their cascade of fine football garnished with a plethora of goals. We wish them all the best as they face Mexico in the final…

ALEX FERGUSON'S NEW BOOK

By Omoseye Bolaji

To the delectation of thousands of readers, Sir Alex Ferguson - revered erstwhile supremo of Manchester UTD FC - has just released his latest autobiography. The event once again highlights the yawning chasm between the western world and Africa, re the genre of the written, published word.

The palpable euphoria, the fulsome excitement and ambience even before the book was released is a story in itself. But what else can one expect in an “enlightened" society where some newspapers over yonder actually sell in MILLIONS? - hence to put it as mildly as possible, here is a veritably literate society indeed.  

It has been reported that the initial print run of Ferguson's book is 100 000 copies, expected to be sold out soon, with reprints guaranteed. Small beer compared to sales of Harry Potter books perhaps, but these are scenarios the literary scene in Africa can only envy in quintessential manner.

The interesting thing is the way the western world generated transcendent interest in Sir Ferguson's book even before it came out. In their countless dozens of newspapers, magazines, websites, blogs etc the anticipation over the book was generated, reaching a peak just before the book was published this week.

There were even countless perceptive reviews before the book came out; provocative presumptions and assumptions about probable "acerbic" comments. What would the great man, Fergie, write about the likes of David Beckham, Arsene Wenger, Roy Keane, Rooney, Ronaldo, etc? All these ingredients added to the frenzy.

And the perspicacious media provided even more fillip, whetting even more appetites with excerpts and reviews from the book just before its release. The emphasis of course was on the more explosive, controversial aspect of the work, the "pungent attacks" on the likes of Keane, Beckham, and more mildly on Arsene Wenger. So why would the book not fly off the shelves?

And don't forget to add into the tantalising mix the reactions of those "attacked" by Fergie in the book. It is still early doors, but even before the book was formally released this week Roy Keane has already ventilated his chagrin; to the effect that Fergie should not have written negative things about those who did the hard job on the field of play for years - ensuring the author's greatness as Coach and leader.

Perhaps. But the point here is how the wheels of the western publishing
world is well galvanised and oiled; a true publishing, sports and literary repast. If only the same operated here in Africa! Alas, the general picture is that of despondency and even hints of something of a doomsday scenario as more and more major booksellers close down.

One does not want to paint a bleak picture, but how many of us are reading? Are we aware of new, genuine African books being churned out, meagre though the number is? This year alone I felt like weeping, reading comments from two great (elderly) Nigerian writers, who confessed that even if they heard about any new books, they probably cannot afford to buy such books anyway!    

As I pondered tens of thousands of people buying Alex Ferguson's book - which is just a football book, not literature - I mused over the general pathetic situation in this wise in Africa. Why can't we take pride in building our own private libraries at home, and regularly stocking them with (new) books? But I must still praise those few Africans I know who relish books, and buy new titles on a regular basis – like Mpikeleni Duma, R Mokoena, K Dintlhoane (The Bibliophile)...  

The great thing is that the good libraries often manage to grab hold of new books and stock them; one would necessarily expect libraries in Africa to buy and stock virtually all titles penned by African writers. After all, during our times now, it would be an insult to espy countless recent books published by famous writers from the Eurocentric world easily available in our libraries; whilst it might be onerous to come across books written by our own writers...

But it is a safe bet to assume that the latest Ferguson book will soon be available from most libraries all over the world...

COMPLACENCY CAN BE A BUGBEAR

By Omoseye Bolaji

The crunch final World Cup qualifying games in Africa kicked off throughout the continent over the weekend. Naturally enough, tens of millions of Nigerians looked forward with relish to the first leg of the games with Ethiopia, including in South Africa here.

Ethiopia had done very well indeed to get to this final stage of qualification, one must say. And they are such a lovable, genial breed of people, so law-abiding and essentially decent. In South Africa they exhibit their love for business and amity within each other every time – you see them at the helm of sundry businesses like salons,eateries, and internet centres.

Many South African men often praise the beauty and “nobility” of Ethiopian (or sometimes Eritrean; their east African neighbours’) women. This was especially so during that last Africa Cup of Nations finals hosted earlier this year by SA where glimpses of the pulchritude of such women could be seen in the media intermittently. But I have been used to seeing their women for years, so there is no novelty for moi!

Yes, Ethiopia had done magnificently to get to this final stage but to expect to defeat Nigeria, would to most pundits be over-stretching expectations; yet as we have seen over the decades nothing is impossible in football really. Naturally I wanted the Super Eagles (Nigeria) to win but I still had a lot of sympathy for the Ethiopians.

Such was the fervour, enthusiasm and expectations of the Ethiopians over the game (the first leg in their country) that one could not but have a lot of empathy for them, especially as I have so many good Ethiopian friends in South Africa. It is a pity there has to always be a victor in such mammoth competitions though…

Yet even many South Africans believed that Ethiopia could pull off an upset against Nigeria, at least in the first leg in their country. After all, Ethiopia had acquitted themselves well during the Nations Cup finals in SA earlier in the year (which the Eagles incidentally won). But what a game they had given Nigeria in the very first round, when again many felt the Eagles would win rather easily.

How well I remember that game – it was in no way easy for Nigeria. In fact late on in the match it was clear that any of the teams could actually win it – until Victor Moses won two penalties and converted them. But Ethiopia had made a very fine impression and nobody was underestimating them again.

Certainly not South Africa who were painfully denied the possibility of going to next year’s World Cup finals because of the same Ethiopia. It seemed almost unreal, quite surreal when Bafana Bafana could not win their vital home tie against Ethiopia…but the word “surreal” was accentuated in the crunch tie far away in Ethiopia when SA lost 2-1. Not really because Bafana lost, but because the winning goal of Ethiopia was actually an own goal scored by the normally reliable SA striker, Bernard Parker!

Yet South Africa would be reprieved thanks to a technicality, and there was still a chance of progressing ahead of Ethiopia; but the latter, showing how strong they are these days travelled to CAF and somehow won. So this put paid to Bafana Bafana’s prospects and Ethiopia consolidated their new found respect internationally. 

Yes, Nigerians, we know traditionally would still find it difficult to be in awe of Ethiopia. After all for about fifty years Ethiopia had not pulled up any trees in African football, not even in the Cup of Nations finals for decades! Yet the history book tells us that Ethiopia won the Africa Cup in 1962, something most people around today would know nothing about. Anyway, the simple truth was that this was easily the strongest Ethiopian side ever in decades… and they were bent on going to the World Cup for the first time! Then again there was also the small matter of the thin air that affected visitors playing in their country (Ethiopia)

In the event, Nigeria won the first leg of the World Cup tie against Ethiopia 2-1, despite conceding the first goal of the match in almost bizarre fashion. Then Emmanuel Emenike, never short of confidence and unbridled determination these days, went on to score two goals for the Eagles, the second a very late penalty.

Yet this does not mean that Ethiopia would easily be rolled over during the second leg in Calabar (Nigeria) The Eagles, having won the first leg away are overwhelming favourites, but there should be no room for complacency. Anything can happen in football. For example, some months ago Arsenal (England) lost 2-0 AT HOME to Bayern Munich, but incredibly travelled to Germany and won 2-0 too! A word is enough for the wise…suke…

* Pic above: Emmanuel Emeneke who bagged a brace against Ethiopia