It was just last month that I bought a book written by writer and sociologist Fatima Mernissi. She writes about her life in an islamic context, about feminism, about women. She was raised in a harem in the Moroccon town of Fez. Now this Fatima has passed away.
the perfect gift for the ardent sports fan
This is a selection of some of the very good books on sports, that have been published in South Africa. Dominant in the list are sports like rugby and cricket. Nothing on speedskating though!
the french literati and the arab world do a complicated dance
There is a strong connection between France and the northern countries of Africa. These countries have been yoked with the colonial master. Since independence these contacts have not disappeared. People who find it hard to live in one of these countries move to France. Books from many authors are written in the French language. In … Continue reading the french literati and the arab world do a complicated dance
the so-called jewish question
As far as I know many Jews in South Africa were involved in the struggle for liberation in the apartheid decades in South Africa. Many Jews had fled oppression in European countries, and now they (or their children) were fighting again. A new book on the position of the Jewish community in South Africa has … Continue reading the so-called jewish question
‘after 4.30’ back in kenyan bookshops
When the book was first published it caused a stir in Kenya. The writer David G. Maillu had authored the book, and he was explicit about, about what? It was not about harvesting wheat, or picking coffee beans or tea leaves. Maillu was explicit about sexual relations. This all happened in the year 1971. Now … Continue reading ‘after 4.30’ back in kenyan bookshops
books touched by Africa 