Novelists as experts

Shortly after my novel The Scattering was published, a political magazine in India asked if I would write a nonfiction article on the genocide of the Baherero in Namibia.

I promptly said no and referred them to the correct people, the many academics and activists who have made it their life’s work to know about that subject.

I am a storyteller. My concern is a good story. I want to take characters I have made up in my head and throw them into situations I have also made up, and see what happens. I know quite a bit about that, at least the way I do it, and that is about it.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up