“Madam Speaker, Sir” beyond the Politics

Authored by Speaker of Parliament Margret N. Nasha, “Madam Speaker Sir” has without a doubt ruffled a few feathers in the past weeks since its release. In this memoir MmaNasha as we’ve fondly come to know her shares with us the achievements and disappointments in her somewhat extraordinary life. While the book is no literary marvel in the sense of its basic writing, MmaNasha’s honesty makes it a good enough read.

In this Memoir the iconic woman leaves no stone unturned. She freely discusses her childhood, that of her children and even her ex-husbands adultery and her criminal dealing with it. It’s hard to imagine the respectable Speaker of Parliament throwing a pile of bricks at someone’s house but still quite humorous.

However, her chapters on her family (including the other woman) show a side to MmaNasha that young girls in our country need to see, that even she is a woman. It puts her within reach, makes her relatable giving inspiration to young women that beyond their dirty laundry, cheating boyfriends, controlling men and beautiful children is something that belongs solely to them.

It is un-debatable that Madam Speaker, Sir was a necessary book in our society today. Not only in reminding young women that she is amongst those who broke the barriers that we are allowing to be reintroduced in our lives, but also in reminding us that Botswana is a democracy. That, within that democracy is the freedom of speech.

While MmaNasha now faces criticism for openly discussing the politics of the ruling party, President Seretse Khama Ian Khama’s leadership style, and secret missions she participated in during her years long servitude as a Minister one cannot dispute that she has reminded the country of freedom of speech. In this book she discusses the compliance of BDP members in advising the president, confirms the existence of fractions in the party which has been whispers in the society. Although she does expose the deceiving and destructive nature of these fractions, there is nothing to be shocked about.

MmaNasha has shown herself to be a revolutionary, releasing a book that could quite possibly end her political career on such an important year. What this book does tell us about her is that she is here for the people and above all for herself. Madam Speaker, Sir is a book that was owed to each and every Motswana, regardless of political affiliation, age and gender, and quite frankly it would be impossible to forgive MmaNasha if she had never published it.

Here is a link to an interview Dr. Nasha did with Echoe newspaper where she discusses Women and how we need to stop being apologetic for our ambition. P.S she has amazing nails too. :)

Book Review: A Renegade Called Simphiwe

Reading A Renegade Called Simphiwe has been somewhat of an exhilarating experience. Often the book which is written by South African academic and author Phumla Dineo Gqola is mistaken for a biography of South African musician Simphiwe Dana. However, A Renegade Called Simphiwe is written way beyond Dana and her experiences.  It is without a doubt an excellent record and observation of multiple aspects of South Africa and without a doubt the patriarchal world as a whole.

Through writing about Simphiwe Dana’s opinions, challenges, achievements and South Africa’s reaction to her, Phumla gives you an extensive view of the relations not only between the artist and the audience, but relations within South Africa itself. She explores everything from the Simphiwe’s definition of ‘soft feminism’ to her opinions on monogamy, all the while still finding space to discuss the Language situation in South Africa.

Phumla Dineo Gqola presents you with a one of a kind of book, one she describes as “the kind of book I would like to read”. While the book does explore a variety of things it’s quite clearly written with an intensive view on the relations of males and females in the patriarchal society. It opens you up to a large number of truths.

Phumla’s ability to write about Simphiwe Dana as a woman, a writer, a mother and even an artist, as well as her opinions without validating or invalidating them is spectacular. On countless occasions she disagrees with Simphiwe but is not forceful of her opinion over Dana’s something that writer’s today lack. While the book is not exclusive to female readers, It is without a doubt the perfect gift for any lady during this woman’s month.