There is a Place is a riveting collection of poems by ten fertile wordsmiths anchored to the Northern Cape, either as residents or observers. In this slim volume edited by Vonani Bila, the stunning poets seem to concur that the gaping big hole in Kimberley is a painful site that reminds the poor and working class communities of South Africa’s glaring economic inequality and the brutality of Apartheid’s mining industry. The poets recount their memories of the city of Kimberley, the Northern Cape landscape in general and of course the heroic scribe and struggle icon Sol Plaatje in such a breathtaking manner.
Other concerns that worry these young and emerging poets include xenophobia, the worsening of farm worker conditions, domestic cruelty against women and children, foiled reconciliation, corruption in the tender system, HIV/Aids that’s devouring the nation before our eyes and the shameful consumption tendencies of the black petty bourgeoisie who possibly make departed liberation fighters like Steve Biko, Oliver Tambo and Robert Sobukwe turn on their graves.
Although this collection does not pretend to represent the entire body of writing in the Northern Cape, it is fairly the latest mirror of the best new writing sprouting from the creative nucleus of the province. The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture should be congratulated for supporting this noble initiative, and for allowing Room to Read to publish this marvelous book.
What makes this collection exciting is the inclusion of extremely young voices like Gladys Oliphant, Lesego Moitsemang, Nosipho Mtabani and Priscilla Mvelase who have been active participants in the Creative Writing workshops organized by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture. It is equally rewarding to hear the more formidable voices of David wa Maahlamela, Gontse Chaane, Sabata-mpho Mokae and Mosimanegape Sehako.
There is a Place is available from Room to Read. We hope this book will be made available in all the public libraries in the country.