Cde Seroke: I first got acquainted with the name Zakes Mda some time ago, most probably from your writings, when you were writing about South African writers. Some months ago, in a shopping center at Benoni, where I live, I saw the book. They made separate collection of Zakes's books. To me, I had an impression that Zakes was a late author, I don't know where did I get that impression.. Lately, I have been googling about him, and I have established that he was and is an illustrious writer. I understand that currently he's lecturing in the US. I will definitely get myself a copy very soon. The other writer that become an unsung figure was Bessie Head, a South African native, who went to live in Botswana. Her masterpiece work, Maru was a textbook for English in Matric for many years in South Africa. I was befuddled at University, in the department of African Politics, when we were doing comparative politics in Southern African that that the name of Bessie Head appeared. Looking back at your contribution to this circulation on a host of issues, I must admit that your writings are second to no one, that is, they are unsurpassed nor unsurpassable. I certainly believe that maybe writers such as Zakes had an indelible impression on your pen. Where you a member of the COSAW, what was the role of this organization in the eighties ?
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jaki Seroke Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 1:26 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [PAYCO] SOMETIMES THERE IS A VOID Mduduzi Zakes Mda's new book, Sometimes There is a Void - Memoirs of an Outsider, Penguin 2011, is an interesting insight into the author's development and growth as an artist and writer, and an academic teaching creative writing. It is also very revealing on aspects of the life of AP Mda, the author's father. Zakes has done tremendous work in the literary sphere with his output of fiction and drama such that he now commands serious respect and a good profile of readership internationally. In other words he is not a tickey-line author confined to sympathetic followers of like minded uncritical readers. This point has to be said so that the uninitiated understand the impact of his comments to the world of book readers, and to celebrate his achievements after many years of dedication, discipline and devotion to his craft. In the light of your recent unravelling of the Gerhardt interview with AP Mda in the company of struggle stalwarts such as Oom Gqobs and Mfaxa in January 1970, I hurriedly read Zakes Mda's memoirs and would now recommend that you also make the time to read the book. Zakes Mda and I have been friends (within the fraternity of poets, novelists, painters, and musicians in Southern Africa) since the mid seventies. We were advocates of Black Consciousness and revolutionary struggle. We were also non-sectarian and criss-crossed into all schools of thought and examined the ideas of all leaders. Zakes never really wanted to discuss the contributions of his father in the Azanian Revolution, and he was all the time reticent about such things. Arrogant young people disregarded the older generation as meek and ineffective opponents of the regime. Zakes however wanted to be his own man - not to be seen under the shadow of his father. He has had an interesting upbringing alright, worthy of being penned down into a book. I his experiences with the PAC and the BCP in Lesotho in the 60s and 70s quite revealing. The void he writes about is symbolically presented as unfulfilled expectations, unintended outcomes and gaps in the journey of his personal life in very tough circumstances. It is also an honest assessment of charlatans masquerading as leaders and public representatives, when they are in fact exploiting the ignorance and trust of the people for selfish reasons. This void is currently in political parties. We cannot begin to compare AP and Lembede with the numbskulls in the youth leagues presently. The book reveals important titbits such as, for example, that Sabelo Phama lived in the Mda household and spent long evenings until dawn with the old man discussing the maelstroms of the revolution. AP was closer to Chris Hani's parents in Lesotho and he took Sabelo there on regular visits. Sabs, as he always was, even did chores in the Hani parents' home at the time when he was Secretary for Defence in the PAC Central Committee and Chris Hani was commissar in MK. Today Sabelo Phama is a forgotten hero and unknown even within the ranks of the Africanists. Read the book and let's talk. Jaki -- Sending your posting to [email protected] Unsubscribe by sending an email to [email protected] You can also visit http://groups.google.com/group/payco Visit our website at www.mayihlome.wordpress.com This email and any accompanying attachments may contain confidential and proprietary information. This information is private and protected by law and, accordingly, if you are not the intended recipient, you are requested to delete this entire communication immediately and are notified that any disclosure, copying or distribution of or taking any action based on this information is prohibited. Emails cannot be guaranteed to be secure or free of errors or viruses. The sender does not accept any liability or responsibility for any interception, corruption, destruction, loss, late arrival or incompleteness of or tampering or interference with any of the information contained in this email or for its incorrect delivery or non-delivery for whatsoever reason or for its effect on any electronic device of the recipient. Views and opinions expressed or implied in this email are those of the sender unless clearly stated as being that of Rand Water. If verification of this email or any attachment is required, please request a hard-copy version. -- Sending your posting to [email protected] Unsubscribe by sending an email to [email protected] You can also visit http://groups.google.com/group/payco Visit our website at www.mayihlome.wordpress.com
