Southern African Literature – A Profile

During the 1980s it was difficult for any creative writers and artists to find an audience. The male writers were in exile. Under the apartheid threats of harassment, censorship, house arrests, imprisonment, it was impossible for them to even think of writing a fiction or poems. Dennis Brutus had to write at ‘Robben island – Prison’ on toilet papers under pseudonames. Limited education, malnutrition were other causes for blacks to live in separation, added to their woes. Many Black Women suffered due to subjugation in domestic service and scarcity of funds. Rarely any woman wrote. But several women like Mirium Tlale of Soweto have published poems, short stories and articles. Though Mirium’s first story was banned the criticism of Amelia House appeared in print. Olive Shriener, at the beginning of the 20th century raised her voice from South Africa, impressing women in UK and USA on women’s rights. Her short stories named ‘dramas’ reflect her religious upbringing and stress on women’s need to work, to differ from banal, to create freely.

Doris Lessing’s stories mirror the inequality of the society. The later novels known for her understanding of women’s issues, got international recognition. As a critic Nadir Gardiner is an advocate for the black writers of her society for their oppression and the inhuman treatment meted out to them.

Besie Head, in her fiction, reveals her own sufferings as a coloured South African, shunned and driven away from her country deprived of hearing but teaching and learning. Her sketches of Botswana village women became popular.

Other South African women writers gradually gained ground after facing obstacles and frustration to express their views. Their out cry is worth hearing. Finally it brought Independence to South Africa in 1994 when Mandela became the President.

Ref: Role of Women in writing by Julie K. S.

Mr. Jerry Friedman, a commercial photographer, interviewed and photographed several super centenarians for his book ‘EARTH’S ELDERS - THE WISDOM OF THE WORLD’S OLDEST PEOPLE’. He mentions the case of DHAMACHAAGI, A 110-year-old Buddhist lama. He had earnd a doctorate in Theology at age 106. He had all his teeth. He had never seen a doctor in his life. Mild arthritis in his lower is his only complaint.

The lama was one of more than 50 super centenarians, people who are at least 110 years old whom Friedman interviewed.
-Source ‘The Hindu.’

ISA Upanishad expects man to live for 120 years. According to the Bible Methuselah lived for 969 years!
- Editor.