Editor's Note

November is winding down, although it’s not quite the holidays yet, most minds are already travelling. It’s time to make fabulous plans hence our decision to give you a travel issue for inspiration!

Sihle Khumalo recently launched his book, Rainbow Nation My Zulu Arse this month! His wanderlust has seen him criss-cross the African continent, this time he shows us some of Mzansi’s nooks, crannies and gorgeous natural wonders! It’s a great book to have for those who are road-tripping this year, you may just come across some spots mentioned along Sihle’s adventure. Check out our #litrockstar video and look out for Sihle’s suggestions for your home library in #unstealable.

Jozi is quite the destination this December! Some of our all-time faves will be in Soweto at Abantu Festival! Can you believe Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Kagiso Molope, Lola Shoneyin, Efe Paul Azino, Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi, Panashe Chigumadzi, Dudu Busani-Dube, Fred Khumalo, Gcina Mhlophe and more of the crème de la crème of African literature will be in Soweto, all in one weekend? Check out the full programme and Soweto travel tips in #linklove.

In #thisislit, we have a quick chat with media guru Lerato Mogoatlhe about her three-month-turned-five-year continental adventure! Her upcoming book Vagabond, is her hilarious and honest account of those years as an African drifter. We’ll definitely remind you when the book launches in 2019!

We’ve remixed our approach to the #relatedreview section. From now on, we’ll feature book reviews from African literature enthusiasts. This issue you can read Amohelang Mothapo's review of Nthikeng Mohlele’s Small Things.

Together with Jacana Media, we hosted last month’s #litrockstar Lesego Semenya aka LesDaChef’s book launch at Social Kitchen & Bar, Hyde Park Corner. The event was a vibrant and well-attended affair where we were treated to a delicious 3-course-meal prepared by Chef Lesego. See pics in our gallery below.

Yours in lit!

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#litrockstar

Video interview

 

Related review: 'Wandering Things'

Small Things
Nthikeng Mohlele
Jacana Media, May 2018 (new edition)
Online Price: R200


The elusive nature of love is a recurring theme in the novel. Nthikeng Mohlele takes us on a philosophical, poetic and musical journey – a heartbreaking one.

The most significant part of the story, for me, is how he masterfully highlights the contradictions between real life and one's inner self.
 

• Read the complete review on our blog

#thisislit: Q&A with Lerato Mogoatlhe

Q1: So there you were, a well-known entertainment & lifestyle journo in Jozi and then you packed it all up to travel across the continent? Why?

A: I loved my job and life in Jozi but it no longer satisfied me, certainly after my first trip to Accra in 2006. I have always been obsessed with West Africa and that trip felt like a homecoming of sorts. I simply belonged. Before leaving SA for Accra I told my mom that my spirit was telling me to be ready for something. I felt it when I stepped out of the plane. The hot, humid air felt wonderful and every experience in those four days was simply marvellous — the first taste of hibiscus juice, first shopping trip at a market, the way everyone smiled at me and laughed with me, the togas the men wore, the colourful wax print dresses and how everything I saw in the people around me made life as I knew it until then somewhat dull. I love African literature and food.

My first introduction to the pleasure of reading was Things Fall Apart when I was around 13 or 14 years old. So in a way West Africa is my teen fantasy and Accra was my first taste of experiencing it. I did not want to leave. I was with a group of other journalists and we all went on about how we wanted to visit Accra again. In my case, I knew I would do it again sooner rather than later because I felt it in my heart and soul. I was home in a way that I have never been able to relate to when talking about South Africa. Another thing is I have always had wanderlust and wanted to see the world.

In the first week of my undergraduate studies, I called home crying about not wanting to study. I wanted to wander off to Europe to au pair! I wanted to go to the kibbutz (anything but SA and university) but my mom was adamant in her refusal for me to drop out no matter how much I begged, cried, threatened to flunk (she laughed because I was anal about doing well). She always said I’d be free to do whatever I want when I finished school and had some sort of career. I sucked it up, studied and found a career. Only after those four days in Accra in 2006, I really could not ignore my dream especially as I wrote about other people’s dreams coming true. I chose Africa first because it has been my love since I was a teen. Africa is also my home and I was unhappy that I knew it from the media instead of through my own experiences.

Q2: So at what point along your travels did you decide to write the book?

A: It was always going to happen. I had a collection of stories, spoke to a few publishers here and there but I never felt confident with going through with it because deep down, I knew my manuscript was laughable and until I met Thabiso Mahlape (of BlackBird Books). The three people I had been in serious conversations with only told me how good it was instead of giving me critical feedback, which I value more than praise because it leads to growth. The wheels started turning in 2017 when Thabiso and I decided to work together.

Q3: So 3 months turned into 5 years across 21 countries; one word to describe the experience?

A: Gift, as in the best gift I will ever give to myself.

Q4: Has travelling the continent enriched your life?

A: It has. In West Africa and Mali in particular because I lived there for 6 months, my personality and character were not a problem. I live in my head a lot and it's often mislabelled as moody or having an attitude. In West Africa it was understood as being the kind of person who needs her space all the damn time. Travelling comes with the gift of anonymity and being able to recreated myself in every moment of my existence. It is wonderful to be a clean slate instead of someone's daughter or sister, or being known through my job or associated with a job or defined by people in my social and professional life.

Gallery: The launch of Dijo by Lesego 'LesDaChef' Semenya

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