A review by Ishmael
Mzwandile Soqaga
Another
fine literary book of the prolific African writer Omoseye Bolaji is currently
out with some stunning popularity. The
book among many other things is exhilarating, it is a book that the literati
may enjoy exceedingly and the general lovers of literature would like to own. This year alone we have witnessed a plethora
of books being churned out in the Free State.
The book Tebogo in the thick of things comprises
two famous two books written by Omoseye Bolaji.
They are popularly known as Tebogo
and the Ephithalamion, and Tebogo and
the Pantophagist. Enthusiastically
the combination of the known mystery series created by Omoseye Bolaji has a lot
of excitement to provide. Although most
of Omoseye Bolaji work is known on the grassroots level and internationally but
his mystery series have gained gigantic and interesting publicity. Apparently among his books the Tebogo Mokoena
mystery series has been the one which the protagonist used his prodigious zeal
to create such awesome literary fiction.
In the new book Pule Lechesa (Literary Critic) has written a gripping
introduction:
“How well I
remember my unbridled glee when I discovered the "Tebogo Mystery Series
many years ago in Ladybrand libraries! My exhilaration increased when I
realised the series was based in the Free State! I devoured the early adventures, and as
subsequent episodes were churned out I read them - many times over.”
The Tebogo
mystery series has been appreciated by many literary pundits. And in particular it has been reviewed and
studied by literary experts and critics.
In particular the compendium titled OMOSEYE
BOLAJI, put together by Hector Kunene contains extraordinary reviews about
Omoseye Bojali Mystery books. On the
very same book on pages 48, 50 and 52 Pule Lechesa, Peter Moroe and Paul
Lothane wrote remarkable reviews on the book Tebogo and The Epithalamion. Lothane gave special attention on ‘folksiness
in the Tebogo and the epithalamion’. Pule Lechesa in his own review stated
clearly that "for the average reader or even many critics like me the
first thing that comes to mind is: what is the epithalamion. We learn that an epithalamion is or was a
sort of song or poem in celebration of a bride/wedding.”
Secondly
Peter Moroe also wrote significantly in his review "Although probably the
worst book in the series, this is another very readable edition of the
adventures of Tebogo Mokoena the private investigator. Regular readers of the series would be
thrilled.” Thirdly, Paul Lothane also wrote
"The important thing is how a chord of folksiness on the part of the
people runs through this work. There is
a strong, unforced feeling of camaraderie and bonhomie- in part also typified
by the many jokes, smiles and grins-in Tebogo and the Epithalamion. A feel good factor is reinforced despite the
mystery involved; and it is almost as if we black Africans are reclaiming our
heritage in the new Millennium…”
Excitingly
enough in the same book by Hector, Peter Moroe on page 88; and Pule Lechesa on
page 96 also provide thrilling review on the book Tebogo and Pantophagist. Peter
Moroe asserts that the book "Tebogo and the Pantophagist is the seventh
book featuring the adventures of Tebogo Mokoena, the Free State based sleuth
created by Omoseye Bolaji. And this new edition
is also readable.” In the meantime Pule
Lechesa concentrated on football, a favorite sport of author Omoseye
Bolaji. Lechesa emphasized that
"This story is less complicated than the others and the elements of
mystery are mainly concentrated in chapters one, and nine. But here I want to emphasis the aspect of the
football loving side of the author that emerges again in this new work. Bolaji has published countless articles on
soccer football over the years in newspapers and magazines all over the
world. In fact he was one of the first
black African to contribute lengthy articles on football to the British based
international magazine, World Soccer. It is no surprise that sometimes his love for
the sport emerges clearly in his work.”
Quite
significant is the combination of this “two into one book” edition; ie Tebogo in the thick of things. Obviously the mystery book created by Bolaji
has been respected worldwide. Patently it
deserves special recognition. Perhaps I
might be misunderstood as one who just ‘worships and praise’ the great
achievement of Omoseye Bolaji literary work.
Honestly, I mostly enjoy reading Omoseye Bolaji books and I have relished
them in the most exhilarating way. I am
grateful for the publication of the book, its introduction by the critic Pule
Lechesa is piquant.
Imperatively in the introduction he
magnificently explains how Omoseye Bolajis literary mystery series is considered
as rather unique especially produced by black African writer. The mystery books
of Omoseye Bolaji are worth reading. In
the first paragraph in the introduction Pule Lechesa said
"Mystery/Detective fiction is an integral part of western writing and
literature. We all know world famous
names, protagonist like Sherlock Holmes (created by Conar Doyle), and Hercule
Poirot (created by Agatha Christie).
Over the centuries, so many such writers and their sleuths have emerged
in the western world. Research into what
we might call the Africa equivalent of Mystery/Detective genre or series will
easily reveal that authentic black authors in this wise are very much thin on
the ground. Indeed the two (arguably)
most famous African writers of this ilk are both white- Alexander McCall Smith,
and Pepetela.
Conspicuously,
Omoseye Bolaji is one of the few prolific African writers who have managed to
create the most admired mystery series books based on Tebogo Mokoena, the
fictional Free State townships sleuth.
At the launching of Tebogo and the Pantophagist the protagonist Omoseye
Bolaji (in his book, Miscellaneous
writings (page 53) says: "It rather excites me that the Tebogo Mystery
series is almost ten years into since inception! The first one I wrote and published was
Tebogo Investigates(2000); this has now been followed by Tebogo's Spot of brother (2001) Tebogo Fails (2003),
Ask Tebogo (2024) Tebogo and the Haka (2008), Tebogo and the epithalamion
(2009); and now Tebogo and the pantophagist. (Of course Tebogo and the bacchae was to come out in 2010)
I believe
the Tebogo Mokoena Mystery is the most profound ever produced literary work by
Omoseye Bolaji. It has received many
excellent reviews from prolific writers and critics and it can be found in many
libraries and on the internet. The
outstanding Petro Schonfeld has set the record straight by producing a very
fine enchanting study based on the Tebogo Mokoena Mystery series. It can be more exciting to see many studies
produced and made about Tebogo Mokoena Mystery series.
Lastly on Bolaji's literary legacy, the well known
literary critic Raphael Mokoena posits: “What will Omoseye Bolaji's main legacy
be as regards African literature? Few
would disagree that it is mainly his striking contributions to the
Mystery/Detective fiction that many will continue to cherish him for…”
