AM Info: A Panel Discussion: 2023 Outstanding African Creative Books

The Panelists Discussed Outstanding African Creative Books Written in English of Novels, Drama, Poetry, and Children’s Books

By Ashraf Aboul-Yazid

The Toyin Falola Interviews recently had a Panel Discussion on 2023 Outstanding African Creative Books Written in English of Novels, Drama, Poetry, and Children’s Books, on February 25, 2024.

This session was co-organized by Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), whose Secretary General Dr. Wale Okediran addressed the participants: “I want to thank Prof Falola for another collaboration. Am happy that we writers are gradually warming up to Literary Webinars which we believes go a long way in improving their literary skills. I also want to thank the Panelists and members of the audience who have given of their time and efforts to be here today. It is my hope that at the end of this very important discourse, we would have been able to chart a proper way forward for African Literature”.

African Books - Discussion-Sindh Courier-4The Pan-African Panel Discussion had the panelists Fadwa Ashraf (Egypt), Abubakar Adam Ibrahim (Nigeria) Bill Ndi (Cameroon) and Nthabiseng JahRose (South Africa) who shared their expertise on “2023 Outstanding African Creative Books Written in English “.

First Panelist, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim is most recently the author of the novel, When We Were Fireflies, currently on the longlist for the Dublin Literary Award. His debut novel, Season of Crimson Blossoms, was awarded the 2016 Nigerian Prize for Literature, the most lucrative prize in African literature. The French translation was shortlisted for several prizes, including the prestigious Prix Femina. It has been translated into several other languages, including Tamil. The novel followed on the successes and critical acclaim of his debut short story collection, The Whispering Trees, which was shortlisted for the Caine Prize for African Writing and the Etisalat Prize for Literature. He is also the recipient of the Michael Elliott Award for Excellence in African Storytelling, the BBC African Performance Prize and has received several international fellowships and residencies.

African Books - Discussion-Sindh Courier-5Second Panelist, Professor Bill F. Ndi, is poet, playwright, storyteller, critic, translator & Fellow of The Booker T. Washington Leadership Institute is an American-Southern Cameroonian who was educated at the University of Yaoundé, Nigeria: ABSU, Paris: ISIT, the Sorbonne, Paris VIII & Cergy-Pontoise where he obtained his doctorate degrees in Languages: Translation and Languages, Literatures and Contemporary Civilizations. He has held teaching positions at the Paris School of Languages, the University of the Sunshine Coast at Sippy Downs, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, St Lucia and Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. He is presently Professor of Modern Languages, Communication and Philosophy at Tuskegee University, Alabama, USA. He has published well over 40 books in various genres.

Nthabiseng JahRose Jafta, an Artpreneur and Creative Strategist born in South Africa’s Free State, is a dynamic force. As an author of children’s books like Mantlwane ‘Mollo lekeisheneng.

In the full video recording readers are invited to watch both speeches and the conversation with moderator, Dr. Toyin Falola; the Nigerian historian and professor of African Studies. Falola is a Fellow of the Historical Society of Nigeria and of the Nigerian Academy of Letters, and has served as the president of the African Studies Association.

The new generation was presented by two young voices from South Africa and Egypt. Third Panelist Jafta was one of them; she serves as the Publishing Coordinator at the University of the Free State’s African Languages Press, enriching the African Languages catalogue. Founding Sun Peo with 40 publications spanning poetry, prose, and translated works, she’s an International Performing Poet, Writer, and Festival Curator. Armed with a Master’s in Creative Writing, she’s a Dream Girl Scholarship ‘AWE’ recipient and a Euracian silver medalist at the “LIFFT – 2023” festival in Egypt.

African Books - Discussion-Sindh Courier-8We could read her full paper of the books she had reviewed in her speech: “it’s a truly a privilege to be part of the panels reflecting and putting spotlight on African Literature, it is only us indifferent parts of Africa That we can highlight and introduce these works to one another but moreover build profiles of authors within the continent. A Fractured Path is centered around this book “Nyaope Ruins Young lives” written by Marcus Maphile.” This book delve into the intricate themes of youth, drugs, and their profound impact it has in our communities.

Book Title: Nyaope e bapala ka rona batjha by Marcus Malope Maphile. Children’ Book (Paperback) in Sesotho (Language spoken In South Africa and Lesotho). The Author portrays challenges faced by young people in South Africa when confronted with the allure of drugs. Charles, the protagonist, becomes entangled in a web of addiction, leading to consequences that reverberate through his family and community. Charles addiction escalates to health challenges, criminal activities and ends up getting arrested. A young life ruined. I found the depiction of Charles’s inner turmoil particularly compelling. His internal conflict between succumbing to the temptations of drugs and striving for a better future reflects the struggles of many young people caught in similar circumstances. It highlights the complex interplay of personal agency and external influences.

Charles’s journey serves as a microcosm of the larger systemic issues at play. The lack of access to education and opportunities, coupled with the pervasive presence of drugs in communities, sets the stage for a cycle of despair. How do you perceive the role of community support in addressing these challenges?”

African Books - Discussion-Sindh Courier-3The second book presented by Jafta was Nna ke Monna(paperback) – Sesotho Edition| (English also available)by Author: Jerry Mofokeng(248 pages:)

“In “Nna ke Monna | I am a Man,” Dr. Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha offers a profound reflection on manhood, identity, and the complexities of family. One poignant moment from our discussion centered on Jerry’s revelation about his upbringing, particularly his discovery of being raised by a stepfather without his knowledge until later in life.

Jerry shared with us the deeply personal journey of learning about his biological father at the age of 58, despite already being a husband, father, and elder himself. It was a revelation that shook the very foundation of his identity, prompting him to embark on what he describes as a treacherous journey “To Himself.”

What struck us most was Jerry’s nuanced approach to reconciling his newfound knowledge with the reality of the man who had raised him – his stepfather. Despite the shock and upheaval caused by this revelation, Jerry showed immense grace in acknowledging both his biological father and the man who had played a paternal role in his life.

His story serves as a powerful reminder of the complexity of familial relationships and the resilience of the human spirit. Through his own experiences, Jerry challenges us to confront our preconceived notions of manhood and the importance of embracing both our wounds and our triumphs as integral parts of our journey.

As we reflect on Jerry’s journey of maturity, healing, and self-discovery, we’re reminded of the importance of embracing our own stories – scars and all – and using them as stepping stones towards becoming better versions of ourselves. “Nna ke Monna | I am a Man” challenges us to move beyond the confines of societal expectations and forge our own path towards authentic manhood.

The third book presented by the third panelist was (Friends of Shangala: A Lesson in Friendship and Integrity).

Shongi the springbok. I live in the beautiful village of Shangala. I love my cousin Basi the bushbuck. I play with her every day. One day I told her my little secret. ‘Basi my cousin, I want to enter the beauty pageant. All the friends I meet at the waterhole say I am beautiful. I know it too. ‘I said.’Great news! Yes, you are pretty! Go for it Shongi!’ she replied.

In “Friends of Shangala” by Dr. Babane, the intricacies of friendship and the consequences of spreading rumors and telling lies are vividly portrayed through the experiences of the characters. The story delves into the repercussions that arise when trust is betrayed and the importance of honesty and empathy in maintaining healthy relationships.

The narrative unfolds with Shongi, a character falsely accused of disparaging her fellow villagers by claiming superiority in beauty. However, it becomes evident that Shongi’s innocent statement about participating in a beauty pageant was misconstrued and blown out of proportion by her peers, leading to hurtful gossip and rumors.

In conclusion, “Friends of Shangala” is a heartwarming tale that resonates with its audience through its universal themes and timeless wisdom. Dr. Babane’s narrative prowess and insightful storytelling make this book a compelling read for anyone seeking to explore the intricacies of human relationships and the power of redemption.

Some of the books that were a highlight includes: Culture and Liberation Struggle in South Africa: From Colonialism to Post-Apartheid, edited by Dr Lance Nawa, Won’t be there forever, Stan Montsho, What’s Your Money Personality, Vangile Makwakwa, In Every Mirror She’s Back, Lola Akinmade Akerstrom, ⁠Sunshine & Shadows, Busisekile Khumalo, The Girl Who Survived Her Mother, Moshitadi Lehlomela.Lucky Girl, Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu. For Black Girls: Who Have Yet to Forgive Themselves, Tlhalefo Moagi, The Attic Child, Lola Jaye, The Thing With Zola, Zibu Sithole, Ma’am, Jessica George.

The acclaimed seminal book, Culture and Liberation Struggle in South Africa: From Colonialism to Post-Apartheid, casts a spotlight on the mantra, Culture as a Weapon of Struggle, in and for South Africa and beyond through how music, drama, dance, literature, film, photography, visual art and other arts genres formed the inspiration that fostered the spirit of rebellion and elevated the level of national political consciousness during Colonialism, Apartheid and beyond towards a liberated South Africa.

This is an anthology of articles, biographies, interviews, personal memoirs, photo essays and tributes compiled by twenty-eight (28) South African and non-South African authors over thirty-three (33 chapters), and edited by Dr. Lebogang Lance Nawa; himself a scion of the liberation struggle.

Making the most of the influences from international struggles against cultural domination, especially in Africa and the Diaspora, the trailblazers, profiled herein, mobilized and guided their people – in villages, townships, suburbs, towns and cities – through the injustices of Colonialism into the light of the post-Apartheid era, by rediscovering their voices and reclaiming their uniquely African culture by means of magazines, newspapers, stages, screens, and the airwaves.

This book paints a vivid picture of a rich and diverse history and heritage that shaped the new South Africa and endeavors to plot the continuation of the Cultural Revolution that seemed to have become dormant in its embryonic stage since the dawn of a new political dispensation gradually turning into a nightmare.

Finally, the panelists concluded with Fadwa Ashraf, who was born in 2008, and has been grown up in a library, with active parents in the field of culture and literature. Her father is an author, and her mother is a TV director in the official cultural Nile TV. Fadwa and her sister Hoda have their own library, and Fadwa was much interested in comics, and created her own cartoon Facebook page with more than 18 000 fans. Fadwa is a first grade students at Horus language school, Cairo. She published some of her stories online, and she is a daily narrator, noting school and travel diaries. She got the chance to spend sometimes in Kuwait, China, Vietnam and India. She is clever at drawing as well.

Fadwa presented three books, and the first one was her father’s novel for young readers “My Cat Writes a Book”, by Ashraf Aboul-Yazid, which won 2023 Sawiris Award of Children Literature for its author. From the core of reality came the idea of “My Cat Writes a Book”. The author sums up his novel published by Shajarah in Cairo:

“My family got a cat that gave birth to another, and there were two cats at home. My wife goes to work, my two daughters go to their school, and the two cats remain in my company, taking turns sitting at my desk, looking politely at what I write, so the spark of the idea came to me. As I believe that there is no children’s literature without science, I had to use the capabilities of science and technology to convince the readers that the cat was the one who wrote the book.”

The book came in two parts; the first presents the adventures and the second documents the cats’ messages to the main character cat, which are letters that mix experience and coexistence with research and reading. Cats – from another angle – are beings that share life with us on this planet, and teach – those who own them -many good lessons. Cat breeding offers lessons in love, cleanliness, understanding those who cannot express themselves, belief in everyone’s abilities to think, and acceptance of difference.

The writer’s previous experience in children’s literature was poetry, and he was pleased that some of his poems were included in school curricula, whether in Lebanon, or in India for students of the Arabic language, or in East Africa. So he hope his book My Cat Writes a Book could be one of the school books someday.

The second book Fadwa chose to introduce was “The Perfect Muslims”, a novel by Onyeka Nwelue. The author Onyeka Nwelue, born in 1988, is a Nigerian scholar, jazz musician and filmmaker, who has had esteemed positions in academia in African studies at two of the world’s most prestigious universities, University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. He is currently the director of Africa Center Mexico.

His novel “The Perfect Muslims” is a story of tolerance, love, modern slavery and human trafficking. Filipino Christian woman Corazon Silang lives with an upper class Qatari family the Al-Musallams – at The Pearl-Qatar in Doha. She has been employed by them, as a nanny. She is paid well, she is happy. The Al-Musallams, who are Muslims, love her dearly.

The novel starts by introducing Corazon Silang and her life as a girl living in Batanes Island in Philippines with her grandmother (Mama Ligaya). The first third of the novel narrate the details of her tough life. Her mother was killed in an earthquake. Her father was killed in a raid by police against drug criminals. Despite the warnings of her grandmother to stay away strangers, especially of the other sex, whether boys or men, she fell in love with a stranger, and later was kidnapped by a mob to sell her body. From there, Madam Diwata, business woman of illegal company, Good Maids, arranges a work for her in Qatar.

In the upper class Qatari family, the Al-Musallams, she loved them, as they treated her well. She could read books in the son’s library. The author told us about his readings through her of two examples: Khaled Hosseini’s novel “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, a sensational story set against the combustive events of Afghanistan’s last thirty years-from the Soviet invasion to the reign of the Taliban to post- Taliban rebuilding that puts the violence, fear, hope, and faith of this country in personal, and human terms. Naguib Mahfouz’s novel “Adrift on the Nile, is about ten young professionals who spent their evenings sailing in a houseboat on the Nile until a catastrophe split them apart. The group’s master of ceremonies, Anis Zaki, was a widower at the Ministry of Health whose addiction to smoking kef was so severe that he could write out and submit a long- winded document at work without glimpsing that his pen had run out of ink. Anis marked time from night to night when he and his middle-aged friends a translator for the Foreign Ministry, an accountant at the Ministry of Social Affairs, a lawyer, an art critic, and a noted writer of short stories. This novel narrates the defeat of Arabs in 1967 war.

The other woman was another servant from India, and alike she suffered bitter life, as a gang killed and burnt her child to force her to be subject to their plans to send her to work in Qatar and get her salary through the illegal company.

Filipino Christian woman Corazon Silang became a friend with Njeri’s, who was a Dalit; a member of the lowest class in the traditional Hindu social hierarchy having in traditional Hindu belief the quality of defiling by contact a member of a higher caste. The Dalits were also formerly referred to as untouchables, a term that is now understood as offensive.

By chance, as they talk together about their life in Philippines and India, the Qatari Mother hears the stories. While the two women expect they would be kicked off, the author shows the tolerance the Muslim family has by forgiving their past. They also helped the Dalit Njeri to find the killers of her child. Thanks to Mr. Al-Musallam and detective Mr. Hassan. By the end, the two women decide to continue their lives at Al- Musallam’s house, serving them, as it is the new safe home for both of them.

African Books - Discussion-Sindh Courier-6The third book chosen by Fadwa Ashraf was her most favorite one. Art of Over the Garden Wall is the book inspired by the series she used to watch when she was younger. The episodes take us on an adventure, brothers Wirt and Greg get lost in the Unknown, a strange forest adrift in time; as they attempt to find a way out of the Unknown, they cross paths with a mysterious old woodsman and a bluebird named Beatrice. Fadwa was eager to read the stories beyond the series and the secrets of the TV work itself.

She was showing the three books as she was talking about them, and similar to some other books in the talk show, they were of different languages; Arabic an English.

Finally, the president of the World Organization of Writers WOW, Margarita Al, saluted audience in her Russian speech, translated by Russian poet into English” Colleagues, friends! It is a great honor for me to greet you at this panel discussion and it is a feast of poetry and literature. Please accept my sincere congratulations and wishes to achieve success and a high level of creativity. I hope your books and works will find the way to the hearts of the readers. So that your words have a great impact on the minds of our contemporaries and so that each of your books carries the idea of peace and solidarity between the people of our small planet Earth. Margarita represents the World Organization of WOW Writers. And very soon we will fly to the most mysterious and attractive continent Africa. And I’ve already fallen in love with Nigeria, just because people like Wale Okediran live and work and create there. It will be a great pleasure for us to accept your creative works for the competition. There’s not much time left, until March the 1st, but I’m sure you’ll make it. WOW has an anthem and it will be played on April 4-6 in Abuja, Nigeria. And there are very important words. We are people of the same planet and poetry unites us.

Ashraf Aboul-YazidAshraf Aboul-Yazid is a renowned Egyptian poet, journalist, novelist, travelogue writer and translator. He is author of around three dozen books and Editor-in-Chief of Silk Road Literature Series.

Source / Photo / Video: Sindh Courier