Woman Zone CT
  • Home
  • About
    • Vision
    • The WZ Team
    • Background
    • Projects >
      • Artscape Womens Humanity Walk
      • The Everywoman Project
      • Women's Walks
  • The Women's Library
  • Book Club
    • About
    • Book Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Contact
WELCOME TO THE WOMAN ZONE BOOK REVIEW PAGE.                   
​This is where members of the WZ Book Club get to share their thoughts on titles seen on the shelves of our Women’s Library. All reviews are unsolicited and only those attending the WZBC may borrow and review books.
The Woman Zone Book Club meets on the 2nd Saturday of every month between 2pm and 4pm at The Women’s Library, ground floor, Artscape.  All are welcome.
​
We welcome your reviews of women-authored books. Send between 200-500 words and cover pic if possible to info@womanzonect.co.za or hipzone@mweb and we will post it here! 

Bantu Knots

9/22/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
​Author: Lebo Mazibuko
Publisher: Kwela books
Reviewer: Hazel Makuzeni
COVID has done us wrong; horribly wrong. It has stolen from us and paralysed our psyche. It is thus quite refreshing and uplifting to read a number of books this year written by black South African women. Bantu Knots is 
one of those books I had the pleasure of reading. The novel revolves around Naledi Kwena. It’s an adolescent tale of growing up in a township and navigating life’s hurdles while pursuing your dreams.
Naledi is born and raised in Zone 2, Ndende Street in Pimville, Soweto. Her mother Dineo had her when she was still a teenager and for the most part of the book, is busy chasing the good life with ama-blessers. Naledi is raised by her grandmother, Norah. A strict Christian woman who hasn’t forgotten nor forgiven her daughter Dineo's past transgressions. This leads to her stern approach in parenting Naledi. To be fair to grandma Norah, Dineo is not pulling her weight around the house. Most times – she’s nowhere to be seen and her relationship with Naledi is non-existent.    
You feel for Naledi right from the start. As a young girl, she’s banned from playing with the other kids from her street. She watches them by the gate and is envious of their freedom. She has only one friend at school and the only person she can have a meaningful talk to in Zone 2 is Karabo, her next door neighbour. Even then, their talk is usually through the wire fence that separates their two homes. The less said about her father Xolani, the better.  He has denied paternity and is demeaning towards her – lowering still further  Naledi’s already fragile self-esteem. On the home front it’s no better. Mama (Naledi calls her grandmother Mama) demands complete obedience – almost suffocating the poor girls independence and imagination. Each and every night she recites Bible verses with Naledi. And is quick to put the fear of God and Hell in the heart of the growing young lady whenever she senses mischievousness. She’s also militant about the household chores that Naledi must fulfil. Mama is definitely not the sentimental type. She will not even say “I love you” to Naledi.
Dineo’s wishes do come true when she finally meets a blesser who ends up marrying her. But not without drama! Naledi gets liberated at university. She takes up drama, makes new friends, parties, falls in love and have sex. Danger lurks around the corner; and she soon discovers that. Dineo’s fairy tale romance crumbles to dust and she moves back home abused and defeated. A sorry state of affairs for a girl who once got a Porsche Cayenne as a wedding gift from her sugar daddy.  She’s now car-less and is back sleeping on the mattress on the floor of Mama’s living room.
Bantu Knots is a book that examines notions of beauty. Why should your worth and status depend on the hue of your skin colour or on whether your hair is relaxed or an Afro? The book also looks at the generational-gap and the importance of finding common ground. It touches on the taboo issue of sex discussions especially in black families. It explores religion, identity, youth, freedom, guilt and redemption. Dineo’s episode is a cautionary tale to the girls pursuing the blesser lifestyle.  ​
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
    • Vision
    • The WZ Team
    • Background
    • Projects >
      • Artscape Womens Humanity Walk
      • The Everywoman Project
      • Women's Walks
  • The Women's Library
  • Book Club
    • About
    • Book Reviews
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Contact