Bongi and Baboon

By Malesela Makwesa

A Short Story: Bongi is a 12 years old girl who hates the constant xenophobic attacks plaguing her community of Mabone Township. One night she begins a secret friendship with a stray baboon that sneaked into their property at night to eat the raspberries from the trees in her yard. The friendship grows when the baboon starts sharing its views on the difference between animals and humans. The animal sees people as destructive to the environment. But after the baboon refuses to be introduced to Sasa, Bongi's best friend, chosing instead to remain a secret, for its own safety, Sasa leaks this unusual friendship. She does this out of spite and her internalized belief in witchcraft. And when a group of community members turn up to kill the baboon, Bongi stands fiercely in its defence.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Malesela Makwesa
• Release date: Apr 10, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463243510

Malesela Makwesa

Malesela Makwesa was born in Mokopane but raised in Alexandra Township Johannesburg. He writes in English and Sepedi. The author feels that indigenous languages should be preserved for future generations. His second book Bongi and Baboon won best folklore story at Mulher Forte African Literature Awards. Malesela is also a content contributor on live.fundza.mobi where his English short story Dulcy Masusu was selected for the 2020 Heritage Day Special page, to highlight writing in all 11 South African languages. When not writing he offer English lessons to high school students.

Book preview

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