Writing Namibia Coming of Age
Sarala Krishnamurthy, Nelson Mlambo and Helen Vale (editors)
ISBN 9783906927411
Basler Afrika Bibliographien, May 2022
378 p., illustrations in color
A rich collection of captivating and remarkable chapters, Writing Namibia Coming of Age presents research of senior academics as well as emerging scholars from Namibia. The book includes wide ranging topics in literature written in English and other Namibian languages, such as German, Afrikaans and Oshiwambo. Almost thirty years after independence, Namibia literature has come of age with new writers experimenting with different genres and varied aspects of literature. As an aesthetic object and social phenomenon, Namibian literature still fulfils the function of social conscience and as new writers emerge, there is ample demonstration that, pluri-vocal as they are, Namibian literary texts relate in a complex manner to the socio-historical trends shaping the country. The Namibian literary-critical tradition continues to paint some versions of Namibia and what we find in this new and highly welcome volume is a canvas of rich voices and perspectives that demonstrate an intricate diversity in terms of culture, language, and themes.
Sarala Krishnamurthy is a Professor of English and Applied Linguistics in the Faculty of Human Sciences at the Namibia University of Science and Technology.
Nelson Mlambo is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Namibia, Department of Humanities and Arts.
Helen Vale taught literature at the English Department of the University of Namibia from 1991–2007 and has authored several publications in the literary field.