"I'm proud as punch over my new book" - Soqaga

ISHMAEL MZWANDILE SOQAGA speaks here...

Congratulations on your new book, Mr Soqaga! As a young man who grew up in the townships, did you imagine yourself as an established writer like this from the beginning? How has the journey been so far?

ISHMAEL SOQAGA: Ka le boha. Thank you very much.   Immediately when I succeeded with my debut book, “O.Bolaji:  A Voyage Around his Literary Work” definitely I was extraordinarily inspired.  Although it took me time to write the book however, seeing the book being published, it gave me indispensable verve to upsurge my enthusiasm for literature. Very fantastic.  So far, I have four books published.  Primarily, my four books had been successfully being reviewed by veritable critics and writers.  You can also find them on internet. You might say I am as pleased as punch over my very latest book! (Glimpses into African Literature)

  What inspired your latest book - and its vision; pan-African... Glimpses into African literature (2015) ? How come you can do research, and write on an author like Okotp'bitek?

Today, of course African literature is tremendously successful throughout the world.  This is great because the success of African literature is the excellent achievement.  In fact as the avid pan – Africanist my elation for my latest book is strongly encouraged by the vision of Pan – Africanism.  Like Okot p’ bitek, his enormous contribution in African literature is very sublime.  Thanks to the power of technology– because through internet I could easily make researches on African prolific writers such as Okot p’ bitek.

 You have written an essay on the late Pule Lebuso. Lebuso, like other writers like DambudzoMarechera and Ingrid Jonker, died quite young. How important is it to remember, honour and continue to read writers who are deceased? 

The late Mr Pule Lebuso was the very talented African writer similarly like Dambuzo Marechera and Ingrid Jonker.  Despite their gloomy and untimely demise, but their works are monumentally awesome.  Essentially their works must be immortalised perpetually as this will dramatically inspire young people, in particular Africans.

  Mr Pule Lechesa has now established himself as a major African literary critic after publishing books on criticism, and on key writers like Bolaji and Maphalla. How did you receive the news that Lechesa finally brought out his comprehensive study on Ntate Maphalla?

Mr Pule Lechesa is the well-established remarkable critic, writer etc.  He successfully published exhilarating books, reviews and literary criticism.  Congratulations for his new book on Maphalla.  He has done a very wonderful work.  In fact previously he had impressively translated one of Ntate Bolaji's books into Sesotho (The Subtle Transgressor).

 In your essay, tribute to Flaxman Qoopane, you raised many issues, problems as regards African literature. You do not sound optimistic about the future. What can be done to ensure young ones appreciate literature and literacy?

Honestly, nowadays it is very disappointing to see African literature inauspicious, because of technological features like facebook etc.  Frivolity among the Africans, in particular for the lack of their fondness for African literature can be woefully daunting.  Young African writers need to take African literature very serious.  They need to appreciate the fact that they are the future custodians of African literature and be able to distinguish between what is genuine literature and social network - that is very imperative.

Which African writers or and their books have impressed you most over the y   years?

In my mind I have so many writers and their thrilling books too.  Chinua Achebe, Peter Abrahams, Wole Soyinka, Es’kiaMphahlele, Bessie Head, Grace Ogot, Mariam Tlali, Mariama Ba, O Bolaji, BiragoDiop, Pule Lechesa,  KPD Maphalla, Pule Lechesa, Amos Tutuola etc.   However, Chief Bolaji's tantalising books have constantly impressed me over the years, as I have reviewed quite a number of his many books.