By Henry Ozogula
The
impressive South African writer, critic and publisher, Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga (below)
continues to make great strides in the African literary circuit.
An author of at least five thought provoking books himself, Mr Soqaga believes in the primacy of Africans' rights to be published and assessed on their own terms, hence his forays into publishing: he is the Managing Director of Eselby Jnr Publishers based in South Africa. The firm has issued over 20 titles in recent years.
Africa must
have its own voice, and must not be frustrated or daunted by the usual travails
associated with publishing in the continent, Mr Soqaga avows in his varied
writings. He has published a number of titles and new authors, including yours truly.
Indeed as an important writer and critic
himself, Soqaga reminds us of Eurocentric world class writers like Mark Twain
and Virginia Woolf who also ventured into book publishing in their time. For example, apart from
publishing her own books, the distinguished Woolfs also published many other
writers, including the first Kikuyu (Kenyan) writer in English, Githendu Parmenas
Mockerie.
In Africa, over the years, prominent writers
like Ken Saro Wiwa of Nigeria, and Asare Konadu of Ghana also published books.
Soqaga is forging ahead in this wise too.
The writings of I. M Soqaga show clearly that he believes in everything African with a passion - as witness his work, Promoting Quintessential African Writing. It is reassuring that his dedication in this wise is adding more allure to such writing, as he continues to publish his own books and others.
Works by I. M Soqaga
O Bolaji: A
Voyage around his literary work (2012)
Promoting Quintessential African Writing (2013)
Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga (2014)
Glimpses into African Literature (2015)
Further Glimpses into African Literature (with O Bolaji). 2018
