The award-winning Kenyan writer and activist has died at the age of 48, his restless search for sense and voice incomplete but nonetheless comprising a body of significant work.
It was in May 2012 that I met Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina for the first and, now that he is gone, only time. The Center for Historical Reenactments, a curatorial and artistic initiative by curator Gabi Ngcobo, was hosting an evening with the Caine Prize-winning writer at August House, then an enclave for artists at the corner of End and Pritchard Streets, in downtown Johannesburg.
Ngcobo and Wainaina knew each other, I think, from New York, where the former had gone to study for her masters and the latter had been the director of the Chinua Achebe Center at Bard College. Johannesburg, or at any rate South Africa, wasn’t really new to Wainaina. At the age of 20, the Kenyan had moved to the country to study commerce at the then University of Transkei (Walter Sisulu University) in the early 1990s, before relocating to Cape Town, where he started writing.
A few weeks, perhaps months, before the event at August House, I had started reading One Day I Will Write About This Place, his memoir of growing up in Uganda and Kenya and then moving to South Africa, where he discovered his destiny as a writer. About the evening itself, I don’t remember a lot, as if a flock of wine-guzzling vultures had set upon not just the wine – which was flowing that night – but also my memory. About Wainaina himself, my memories are even more blurred; I only remember him as strangely subdued, as if he had been on a long-haul flight and was tired, seeking rest.
My first encounter with Wainaina was, in fact, in print. But unlike most, it was not the famous essay “How to Write About Africa”, said to be the most-read piece in British literary magazine Granta. It was a strange and beautiful piece published in South African magazine Chimurenga’s football issue, Futbol, Politricks and Ostentatious Cripples, in 2006 that I have never forgotten.
Football, but not
When I read the piece – which was part travelogue, part literary criticism and part city writing under the somewhat misleading title of “Ghana has no politics” – it was clear the author didn’t know much about football. In fact, he confesses this at the end of the piece, in a biographical sketch in which he mentions something about being kicked out of his class football team when he was just seven after letting in nine goals.
But I wasn’t reading Wainaina to understand how Togo coach Otto Pfister would be setting up his side for the 2006 Fifa World Cup, its inaugural appearance at the tournament.
Rather, it was about the famous West African markets; about former president Gnassingbé Eyadéma’s dictatorship (Eyadéma’s son was, not surprisingly, the head of the Togolese Football Association); about textiles; about the Francophonie (former French president Jacques Chirac described Eyadéma as “a great friend of France”); about the Ivorian writer Ahmadou Kourouma; and also about bras. Apparently, Anglophones know nothing about “uplifting engineering with the right aesthetic”, which is what a good bra is really about.
All of these things were mixed together, written with empathy, wide-eyed wonder and humility, which is to say with love.
Humour in truth
When Wainana writes about Togo’s descent into its doldrums after the tourists are gone, it is not with the viciousness of, say, Trinidadian-British writer VS Naipaul or the inventive pen of Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuściński, who made up facts and added colour to fit his reportage into the template of how to write about Africa.
Wainaina writes, “Togo’s main official export is phosphates – but it has always made its money as a free-trade area, supplying traders from all over West Africa. Markets like these have been in existence in the region for centuries – and there are traders from seven or eight countries here. Markets in Lomé are run by the famous ‘Mama Benz’ – rich trading women who have chauffeur-driven Mercedes Benz. These days, after years of economic stagnation, the Mama Benz are called Mama Opel.”
You can’t help but laugh at this arresting metaphor of the decline in the circumstances of these women. Nothing in there of the Naipaulian drama and hysteria as in the first line of his novel, A Bend in the River: “The world is what it is; men who are nothing, who allow themselves to become nothing, have no place in it.” Or even the finality of The Economist magazine’s dystopian cover featuring “The Hopeless Continent” (subsequent remedial attempts such as the “Africa Rising” issue failed to redeem the magazine in the eyes of Africans).
Call-outs and timing
On the Shakespeare and Company podcast recently, Ian Jack (editor of Granta between 1995 and 2007) and current Granta editor Sigrid Rausing started talking about the journal’s problematic history. Granta magazine is 40 and has published an anniversary edition to celebrate the journal (re)founded by American editor Bill Buford in 1979. But Jack and Rausing spoke about how there were entire issues done in which no women writers were featured and even one about Africa in which they didn’t have any African writers.
Granta are not the only culprits. In 2013, the British Broadcasting Corporation or BBC did a programme on the Berlin conference in which they didn’t have a single African panelist. Just like at the original conference in the late 19th century, at which European powers sat to partition the continent.
Rausing said that after the magazine put out that issue, they received an angry letter from Wainaina from which grew the famous essay “How to Write About Africa”. It began, “Always use the word ‘Africa’ or ‘Darkness’ or ‘Safari’ in your title. Subtitles may include the words ‘Zanzibar’, ‘Masai’, ‘Zulu’, ‘Zambezi’, ‘Congo’, ‘Nile’, ‘Big’, ‘Sky’, ‘Shadow’, ‘Drum’, ‘Sun’ or ‘Bygone’.” The essay ended with, “Always end your book with Nelson Mandela saying something about rainbows or renaissances. Because you care.”
That stinging satirical piece wasn’t ordinary writing at all, more like an intervention – writing as an event. At his best, Wainaina tapped into the zeitgeist and gave us the writing we didn’t know we had been waiting for all along.
Think of the timing of his piece in Africa is a Country, “I am a homosexual, mum”, and the way it dropped like rain falling the day before the maize crop wilts. Or the piece about his life in South Africa that he wrote for Business Day newspaper during a period of xenophobic attacks.
Still searching
Wainaina is dead at just 48, which is not only young as a writing metric but also a young age for anyone to die – even one living with HIV, as was the Kenyan.
That sentence addressed to American author Richard Wright by activist and writer James Baldwin is especially apt: “Unless a writer is extremely old when he dies, in which case he has become a neglected institution, his death must always seem untimely.”
It’s germane because, as suggested in the tentative title of his memoir, One Day I Will Write About This Place, Wainana was still searching, trying to find a voice, a register. About how to write about this continent called Africa. About how to make sense of his own queer self. About the post-colony of Kenya and how he fitted into the jagged geometry of all that.
Now he has left us, before completing that task. But his small, rich legacy remains, for at his best Wainaina was a soaring force who wrote as if possessed, channelling the voices of the gods and the ancients.
This article was first published by New Frame.
This post is priceless. When can I find out more?
Respect to article author, some superb information .
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular
article! It is the little changes that produce the most
significant changes. Thanks for sharing!
Hi, I think your site may be having browser compatibility issues.
When I take a look at your website in Safari, it looks fine however,
if opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues.
I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up!
Aside from that, fantastic website!
Hi every one, here every person is sharing these kinds of experience, therefore it’s fastidious to read
this website, and I used to pay a visit this weblog every day.
Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your blog on my
iphone during lunch break. I really like the info you provide here and can’t
wait to take a look when I get home. I’m shocked at how quick your blog loaded on my phone ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyways, superb site!
Pretty! This has been a really wonderful post. Thanks for providing
this info.
Hello there! This blog post could not be written any better!
Looking through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He always kept talking about this. I’ll forward this post to
him. Pretty sure he will have a very good read.
I appreciate you for sharing!
Hi there it’s me, I am also visiting this website daily, this web site is really nice and the users are really sharing fastidious thoughts.
Very good article! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our
site. Keep up the great writing.
You made some decent points there. I looked on the web for more
info about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this website.
constantly i used to read smaller articles or reviews that as
well clear their motive, and that is also happening with this post which I am reading at this place.
This information is invaluable. How can I find out more?
Wonderful items from you, man. I have bear in mind your stuff previous to and you are simply too fantastic. I really like what you’ve got here, certainly like what you’re saying and the way by which you assert it. You are making it entertaining and you continue to care for to keep it wise. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific web site.
What Is Sugar Defender? Sugar Defender is a natural blood sugar support formula created by Tom Green. It is based on scientific breakthroughs and clinical studies.
What is Alpha Tonic? Alpha Tonic stands as a natural health supplement designed to comprehensively address men’s overall well-being.
FitSpresso is a natural weight loss supplement that will help you maintain healthy body weight without having to deprive your body of your favorite food or take up exhausting workout routines.
It’s exhausting to search out educated individuals on this matter, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
After all, what a great site and informative posts, I will upload inbound link – bookmark this web site? Regards, Reader.
Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is very cool. I am impressed by the details that you?¦ve on this site. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched everywhere and just could not come across. What a great site.
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
I really like your writing style, wonderful information, regards for putting up : D.
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is truly informative. I’m gonna watch out for brussels. I’ll appreciate if you continue this in future. Numerous people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
I got good info from your blog
It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I am glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Good V I should definitely pronounce, impressed with your site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or something, site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Nice task..
Some genuinely nice and utilitarian information on this site, also I conceive the layout has got good features.
Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.
I have been absent for a while, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thank you, I will try and check back more frequently. How frequently you update your web site?
Great blog here! Also your site loads up fast! What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host? I wish my site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any tips?
Great write-up, I?¦m normal visitor of one?¦s web site, maintain up the excellent operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.
Java Burn: What is it? Java Burn is marketed as a natural weight loss product that can increase the speed and efficiency of a person’s natural metabolism, thereby supporting their weight loss efforts
What is ZenCortex? ZenCortex is a cutting-edge dietary supplement meticulously crafted to provide essential nutrients that support and enhance healthy hearing
You made a few good points there. I did a search on the issue and found a good number of people will agree with your blog.
Usually I don’t read post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, very nice post.
CBD exceeded my expectations in every way thanks. I’ve struggled with insomnia in the interest years, and after infuriating CBD like https://www.cornbreadhemp.com/blogs/learn/can-you-take-cbd-oil-on-a-plane in the course of the key age, I finally experienced a loaded nightfall of restful sleep. It was like a force had been lifted mad my shoulders. The calming effects were merciful yet intellectual, allowing me to roam free logically without sensibilities confused the next morning. I also noticed a reduction in my daytime apprehension, which was an unexpected but receive bonus. The taste was a fraction earthy, but nothing intolerable. Comprehensive, CBD has been a game-changer quest of my slumber and angst issues, and I’m appreciative to arrange discovered its benefits.
Thanks for sharing superb informations. Your web site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you¦ve on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched all over the place and just couldn’t come across. What an ideal web site.
I am not rattling excellent with English but I find this real easygoing to understand.
Dead composed subject material, thank you for information. “You can do very little with faith, but you can do nothing without it.” by Samuel Butler.
I like what you guys are up also. Such clever work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I¦ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my site 🙂
Hello! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I’m not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty quick. I’m thinking about making my own but I’m not sure where to start. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? Cheers
You really make it seem really easy along with your presentation but I in finding this matter to be really something that I feel I’d never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely broad for me. I am having a look ahead on your subsequent submit, I will try to get the hold of it!
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in reality was a amusement account it. Glance complex to far added agreeable from you! By the way, how could we keep in touch?
What Is LeanBiome? LeanBiome, a new weight loss solution, includes beneficial strains of gut bacteria that work fast for weight loss.
An fascinating dialogue is worth comment. I think that it’s best to write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not sufficient to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
Hi there, I found your website via Google while looking for a related topic, your web site came up, it looks good. I’ve bookmarked it in my google bookmarks.
Do you mind if I quote a couple of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your webpage? My blog site is in the exact same niche as yours and my users would really benefit from a lot of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Many thanks!
Hi, Neat post. There is a problem with your website in internet explorer, would test this… IE still is the market leader and a large portion of people will miss your excellent writing because of this problem.
Hmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any helpful hints for inexperienced blog writers? I’d definitely appreciate it.
Hello, Neat post. There’s a problem with your website in internet explorer, may check this?K IE still is the marketplace leader and a huge component to people will omit your wonderful writing due to this problem.
I always was concerned in this subject and stock still am, appreciate it for putting up.
I think this internet site holds some real wonderful information for everyone : D.
Howdy! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
Just desire to say your article is as astounding. The clarity on your put up is just nice and that i can think you’re knowledgeable in this subject. Well with your permission let me to clutch your feed to keep updated with approaching post. Thank you 1,000,000 and please continue the gratifying work.
I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.
Hiya very nice website!! Man .. Beautiful .. Superb .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I’m glad to seek out so many useful info right here within the publish, we want work out extra techniques on this regard, thanks for sharing.
I am not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.
I like this website because so much utile material on here : D.
Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?
Great – I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your website. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs as well as related info ended up being truly easy to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Quite unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.
I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you design this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks
You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart. “The point of quotations is that one can use another’s words to be insulting.” by Amanda Cross.
We stumbled over here from a different web page and thought I should check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you. Look forward to going over your web page repeatedly.
mexico pharmacy: mexico pharmacy – reputable mexican pharmacies online
mexico pharmacies prescription drugs
http://cmqpharma.com/# mexico pharmacies prescription drugs
buying prescription drugs in mexico
I am impressed with this website , really I am a big fan .
Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…
I have not checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
My coder is trying to convince me to move to .net from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs. But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on various websites for about a year and am worried about switching to another platform. I have heard good things about blogengine.net. Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress content into it? Any help would be really appreciated!
buying from online mexican pharmacy
https://cmqpharma.com/# pharmacies in mexico that ship to usa
medication from mexico pharmacy
I think you have remarked some very interesting points, appreciate it for the post.
mexico drug stores pharmacies
https://cmqpharma.com/# reputable mexican pharmacies online
purple pharmacy mexico price list
Tonic Greens: An Overview Introducing Tonic Greens, an innovative immune support supplement meticulously crafted with potent antioxidants, essential minerals, and vital vitamins.
I have been absent for some time, but now I remember why I used to love this blog. Thanks , I¦ll try and check back more often. How frequently you update your site?
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with valuable information to work on. You’ve done an impressive job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
After I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new feedback are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I get four emails with the same comment. Is there any means you possibly can remove me from that service? Thanks!
https://canadapharmast.com/# trustworthy canadian pharmacy
Online medicine home delivery [url=http://indiapharmast.com/#]cheapest online pharmacy india[/url] п»їlegitimate online pharmacies india
Thanks for the concepts you talk about through this web site In addition, many young women that become pregnant never even try and get medical health insurance because they dread they wouldn’t qualify Although many states at this moment require that insurers offer coverage no matter the pre-existing conditions Fees on these guaranteed options are usually higher, but when taking into consideration the high cost of medical care bills it may be your safer strategy to use to protect a person’s financial potential
http://indiapharmast.com/# indian pharmacy
canadian pharmacy antibiotics [url=http://canadapharmast.com/#]canadian pharmacy 1 internet online drugstore[/url] canadian pharmacy ltd
canadian king pharmacy [url=http://canadapharmast.com/#]pharmacy wholesalers canada[/url] canadian world pharmacy
https://canadapharmast.com/# cheapest pharmacy canada
buying from online mexican pharmacy [url=http://foruspharma.com/#]mexican online pharmacies prescription drugs[/url] buying prescription drugs in mexico online
https://indiapharmast.com/# india pharmacy
buy online doxycycline: doxycycline 20 mg – doxycycline 100mg uk
https://paxloviddelivery.pro/# buy paxlovid online
buy paxlovid online [url=http://paxloviddelivery.pro/#]paxlovid generic[/url] Paxlovid over the counter
Paxlovid over the counter: Paxlovid buy online – paxlovid buy
http://paxloviddelivery.pro/# п»їpaxlovid
I like the valuable information you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
I’m quite certain I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
buy cipro online canada: ciprofloxacin 500 mg tablet price – ciprofloxacin generic
http://ciprodelivery.pro/# antibiotics cipro
cipro pharmacy: buy cipro online canada – cipro for sale
doxycycline usa pharmacy: doxycycline 40 mg generic – doxycycline hydrochloride 100mg
https://ciprodelivery.pro/# buy ciprofloxacin
amoxicillin 500 mg cost [url=http://amoxildelivery.pro/#]buy amoxicillin canada[/url] can we buy amoxcillin 500mg on ebay without prescription
paxlovid price: paxlovid for sale – Paxlovid over the counter
doxycycline online uk: doxycycline 20 mg cost – doxycycline medicine in india
paxlovid price: paxlovid pill – paxlovid for sale