By Pule Lechesa
The Mbali
Literary Association, essentially a Writers' Club based in the eastern Free
State (South Africa) has sent a congratulatory birthday message to African literary giant,
Wole Soyinka.
Wole
Soyinka, a Nigerian writer, was the first African writer to win the Nobel award
for literature. His 81st birthday this year is being marked throughout this
week globally. Mr George Rampai, General-Secretary of the Mbali Literary
Association said that he and members of his Club
continue to be inspired by Soyinka. "The man is a colossus, easily one of
the best writers in the world," Rampai, a published writer himself
said.
Rampai continued: "Many of Soyinka's
books dot our libraries in the Free state, including the eastern Free state
here. I and other members of the club have been tremendously improved by
Soyinka's books. The least we could do was send our heartfelt birthday wishes
to Soyinka".
Rampai went
down memory lane, confessing that in the beginning whilst in secondary school, he could hardly understand
Soyinka's works. "I tried to read his novel, The Interpreters, but it was
too difficult for me. I kept on reading many parts of the book regularly,
struck by the brilliance of diction, African proverbs and idioms etc. Later I
read his simpler plays like The lion and
the jewel; Brother Jero, which are still very brilliant too. Such books improved
me as a potential writer myself,"
In fact
George Rampai is now a successful author himself, having published an
award-winning novel, From where I stand
(2012). "Soyinka is one of the great writers I look up to," he
rounded off. "Over the years I introduced his works to other members of
the club".
One of the
male club members of the South African Club said that he loves the
works of Soyinka too. "His book that I enjoy most is actually the
prose-one, The man died. You can not but admire such an incredibly talented
writer who combines uncompromising integrity too,".
"Soyinka
is one of the major African writers who made us to appreciate South African
writers even more," another young woman from the club, said. "Now we
can also enjoy reading our own writers like Mongane Wally Serote, Zakes Mda,
Lewis Nkosi, Sindiwe Magona, Es'kia Mphahlele among others...we wish Ntatemoholo (Elder)Wole Soyinka a very
happy birthday," she said with a beaming, charming smile.
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