GLIMPSES INTO AFRICAN LITERATURE (Introduction)

"Glimpses into African literature" is a new book edited by critic Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga (below). It is published by Eselby Jnr Publications in South Africa. Here is the Introduction to the book:

“I truly love African literature - a passion that often makes me rather an odd man out in my society, many times. Others who should know better also try to pull me down, undermine my efforts for our continent but this is part of the tragedy of Africa.   

Nevertheless I remain undaunted by negative forces; I continue to read books, review some of them, and engage in activities that will uplift  literacy and literature in our society. I continue to be very excited about our African writers, essays and critiques and interviews on them. 

  

This latest work - a compilation of essays on many aspects of African literature over the decades - was mainly inspired by recent literary work and essays published by Mr Pule Lechesa, and Mr Omoseye Bolaji. I have been very much inspired by Lechesa's Essays on Free State Black Literature, and his Bolaji in his pomp - two excellent books.

Additionally, as a bonus I was also able to purchase and study Christine Mautjana's book, Throbbing SA Black Writing. I was very excited to see a young black woman putting such a book together; and I told myself that one day I'd do the same, publish some of my own new literary essays in a book alongside other fine critics and essayists.

I have been a Pan-Africanist for years, hence my vision is not confined only to my country, South Africa. I love reading about authors from all over our continent, and writing about them (eg my essay on east African writer, Okot p'bitek, is one of my firm favourites and is reproduced in this work.) Also I am very proud to tell the world how much I have learnt from the exquisite published works, and the guidance of Omoseye Bolaji (indeed, one or two very wicked, narrow-minded people dislike me for this, but only a fool avoids or tries to undermine pure quality). I am very happy Mr Bolaji allowed me to include and publish some of his recent literary essays in this work. I am also grateful to the others - Ntate Thiba, Ntate Mokoena, Leke Giwa, Mpikeleni Duma and Ebounge from Cameroon. It's a pity I could not include any of Lechesa's works here; as a new book by him containing his own recent work is scheduled to come out soon.

With the advent of the internet, it is easy not only to read recent essays on African writing online, but also to communicate with the authors. Would they mind if some of their essays online were published in a book? Virtually all those contacted were only too happy to co-operate. As the editor, I am grateful for such goodwill. Not that there was anything much to change or edit from the originals though.  

Hence I am delighted to introduce this new work to lovers of African literature. Like the books I mentioned earlier here, I hope this one will encourage many people out there to appreciate the beauty and wide range of our writers, including those in east, west and northern Africa. Thank you!

- Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga"

Other Books by Soqaga

O Bolaji: a voyage around his literary work (2012)

Promoting Quintessential African Writing (2013)

ISHMAEL MZWANDILE SOQAGA (2014)