Rant&Rave: We do have the good stuff!!!

Do we as South Africans believe the literary hype around our South African authors? I recently saw a tweet that read, “Kids at a rural school laughed their teacher off as a liar when he introduced me. A writer they studied could not be living.” Posted by  Zakes Mda and this got me thinking, we as the reading public are quick to dismiss the vast quantities of highly skilled writers that walk amongst us on a daily. We are always seeking literary genius in faraway places (the west in particular) on a regular and always proclaim the stuff we brew here at home is sub-standard. I, as well, am as guilty of this as the next person. I sing the praises of the world’s James Frey’s, Toni Morrison’s  and Gabriel Garcia Marquez’ and yes, I will stake my life on the talent held by authors such as these but, I am dumbstruck at just how little we know of or credit the writers of this country or even of this continent.  Majority of us “readers” would sooner slit their wrists than attempt to name, just name, ten African authors.

It is for this reason that I immensely appreciate my chosen field of study because more often than not my set-work is made up of predominantly South African literature and it is due to this that I can confidently say my knowledge of South Africa’s literary landscape has grown massively. I am able to speak of the Andre Brink’s and Wally Serote’s of this here South Africa with as much familiarity as I would about Margaret Atwood or Harper Lee.

It however would do our writers no favour to have us sing their praises just because… In order to grow our literary industries, open but, fair criticism has to be granted a platform of existence.  Readers have to be able to speak out when they feel the stuff they are reading is not up to scratch and writers in turn need to be tuned in to the needs and wants, likes and dislikes of their audiences. 

I appreciate the art contained within the process of creating literature and I also appreciate the ability to be read great works, whether they are produced nationally or elsewhere. I’m a regular old “book Whore” and I suppose all I’m trying to say is it’s all good and well to recognise the efforts of those who stand further than an arm’s length way (this pertains to not just literature but also music, film, art, technology, fashion, cuisine and a host of other things) but, can we also take a minute to enjoy those who tell our stories through our eyes.