Comments on: Black writers, white readers

By: mgeve

mgeve — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 12:36:01 +0000

Hola, Sbali!
Hmm. After having read all the comments above, I seem to sense that few people have really read all the books you have mentioned. So this makes their attacks on your article paltry and very weak indeed. Hei, mfo, I think the ANC needs to be critiqued by both Africans and whites, Why? To take hold of the censorship of the past and promote and more fluid flow of new democratic ideas. Thabo Mbeki, Mandela and all their clones and cabal have really chilled comments from intellectuals in South Africa. The few rich elites in African community are in cahoots with the few White rich elites in the White community- both share in the wealth of the country and ignore most poor Africans and poor Whites, that’s a fact. If you do not like the criticism leveled against the ANC, then we are still living in Apartheidstan- or is it “Rainbowstan”? Mandela, Mbeki, Zuma and all the minions in the ANC and the former Boerstans are not above criticism. It is a healthy state that allows for such criticism. You and your friends, drive nice cars, live in mansions, and have bodyguards, and are spotting a double chin and a really robust pot-belly. Well, what about us in the Lokishi, hungry, no jobs, no electricity, no cars, no connections, nothing but poverty, stress and Diseases. Whatsadube?

By: BraveHeart

BraveHeart — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 06:32:40 +0000

There isn`t a thing, and it is becoming a trend, that Mr Sandile Memela has raised about the alleged “visible and negative portrayal of the black experience” by writers such Xolela,Khumalo, Mda etc. Or even their “critical assault on black identity and achievement.

His intervention brings no value to our knowledge understanding of black writing and writers.

Mr Memela `s deployment in government appears to have done irrepairable damage to his critical faculties.

By: Paddy

Paddy — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:16:19 +0000

Sandile you are unable to tell the difference between propaganda and enlightened reading material.

I read to be entertained or educated.

By: Phillipa Lipinski

Phillipa Lipinski — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:42:49 +0000

Domino2: I believe the reson Memela writes in English is because not all black people would understand his mother tongue. This is an explanation my husband always give to those who always try to portay blacks as self-hating, white-wprshiping zombies who venerate white culture and language for the skae of it. There are mnore than 2000 languages in Africa, in SA 11 official languages, nine of which are African languages. He would have a much smaller readership if he only wrote in Zulu so English is most convenient. That being said, I strongly object to his diatribes.

Rustum: Thanks for the link. I love Zakes Mda.

By: Mbuyi

Mbuyi — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 06:50:44 +0000

Memela,you are one government praise singer who would love to see the so called whites silenced and their views taken for granted like you tried with your Xhosa Nostra gabage when you were writting for City Press,and now you wish whites cannot work with the so called blacks.That is the problem with your likes,and for record Africans are not black but human beings that belong to human race and have no colour,we are not cattle that must be identified by colour,if you do not want to work with non indegenous Africans,that is your problem alone and alone.Going forward they are here to stay and will be protected from prejudists of the new order,no more segregation will take place and be left unrubished in our country,

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:30:04 +0000

You assume that only blacks can deal with ‘black’ issues with a ‘black’ insight promoting ‘blackness’ or some other ‘black’ agenda.

It’s racist mate.

Only Argentinians can dance the Tango properly; only Austrian’s intrinsically know how to conduct Mahler’s 5th Symphony; only Chinese can can fully appreciate Confucianism.

Nonsense.

Granted thou’, surely only Zimbabweans know why they keep Bob and Zanu-PF on board. Ditto Venezuelans re Hugo.

By: Benzol

Benzol — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:10:57 +0000

@S’fiso Khumalo: “Have you been smoking your socks?” Very relevant question. The mental association with “smoking socks” and a discussion on “who reads what” or “who writes for who” in terms of black and white could give me some insight in your thought patterns.
Makes me feel sorry for you but please enjoy it while it lasts.

By: Danny Gleeson

Danny Gleeson — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:34:08 +0000

Mr. Memela,
I am certain you have read ‘The Invisible Man’ by Ralph Ellison. What I can extract from it includes the dilemma that you describe. I enjoyed your piece

By: Domino2

Domino2 — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:16:12 +0000

Sir , you have your work cut out! Start a black publishing house and write in your own language…funds should not be a problem , there is plenty available for that kind of endeavour . In that way ‘the intuitive connection and understanding of the subtlety and nuance of what can be considered the “black experience”’ cannot get lost. As white readership will be practically eliminated you can reach your target audience precisely. In fact, considering that you feel there is a need for serious critical examination from the black world itself, why do you write in English at all?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:27:01 +0000

Of course the only “authentic black experience” is what Mamela declares it to be. This man is just an ANC hack.
As for writing in black African languages. Best of luck in making a living there.