Tales of hope are simply prize-less

IT WAS with enthusiasm and zeal that I delved into The Daily Assortment of Astonishing Things and Other Stories: The Caine Prize for African Writing 2016.

Of three South African short stories in its collection, two of the authors have their roots in the Eastern Cape, and one of them took the grand prize.

The winning story, Memories We Lost, by Lidumalingani Mqombothi, tells the sad story of the misinterpretation of mental and emotional illnesses in black communities.

It is a story about the bravery of a sibling’s love that dares to protect even from a parent. It’s also a story of culture and the dire lack of awareness in villages and townships when it comes to mental health. He paints a crystal clear picture of the effects of an unknown illness on the family unit.

The story is packed with emotion and told from the younger brother’s point of view, who eventually figures out that his older sister suffers from schizophrenia and no traditional healer or ritual or medicine will assist her, despite their mother’s efforts.

The story interrogates some of the traditional beliefs and methods used to tackle the mental illness. Lidudumalingani was born in Zikhovane village in the Eastern Cape.

Another author from the province included in the book, Masande Ntshanga, was born in East London. Though his short story Spaces II forms part of the writer’s workshop stories in this collection, he was shortlisted for the coveted first prize last year.

His story deals with living with trauma after a major loss. He talks to the nature of relationships and the exploration of one’s sexuality.

The last South African author, FT Kola’s story In The Garden is also in the writer’s workshop section. Though born in South Africa the author now lives overseas.

She delivers a detailed story of an Egyptian princess defying her father to give the people what they want.

The story highlights the contrast between those who have and those who don’t.

It’s also a tale of perceived power versus actual power and the irrelevance of age in that regard. Her thought-provoking tale left me yearning for more of her writing. — vuyiswav@dispatch.