Revelations
by Mongane Wally Serote
(Jacana, R145)
If you’ve ever wanted to pick Serote’s brain on matters of the heart, politics and the African complex, this book will prove to be a revelation of his thoughts.
The plot is quite simple, but the writing makes it somewhat complicated. Otsile is a photo-grapher and former member of Umkhonto we Sizwe.
He spends a lot of time accompanying his elderly friend, Bra Shope, whose art is exhibited all over the continent and the world.
Otsile has a woman in his life whom he loves very much, a child from another marriage and lovers from the past.
Through his interactions with Bra Shope he reflects on his life, relationships and country.
It also happens that all the noted characters in the book are highly opinionated. This gives Serote the chance to delve into heavy concepts, like what it truly means to be African, or the complexity and implications of justice.
With innumerable perceptions being brought to light, one is treated to a feast of food for thought. The poetic texture in which Serote places our African cultures is beautiful.
The only disappointment is that the structure of the writing and frequent recounting of concepts and emotions distort the direction of the story in a way that could easily confuse the reader.
As a lot of the complicated things are explained, the ones that should be easy to break down are somewhat neglected, leaving the reader to make sense of them all.
Serote also uses Pedi, Tswana and Sotho words, which could work against the discernment of the story for those who are not familiar with them.
Through all that is said and unsaid in the book, provocative questions are posed and meaningful opinions offered.
This is not a story you would read for its amazing plot but rather for its unstinting revelations. – Tshepo Tshabalala