Book Review of Coconut by Kopano Matlwa
To begin with the
title of this book “Coconut” which is brown to black coloured outside and white
inside perfectly depicts the story of two black girls living in South Africa in
a suburb full of white people.
Both the girls show
contradiction in their identity, life style and social status. Ofilwe Tlou is born
in upper class black privileged family who lives in a well fine area of little
valley country estate with her parents and elder brother Tshepto. She enjoys
all the amenities in her life which got possible only after withdrawal of
“Apartheid” but still she finds herself unfit in white dominant society and is
often left out by her white classmates and neighbouring friends because of her
dark skin complexion. Her family had even given up on their traditions just to
get fit into a white people dominant society. Her parents are having turmoil in
their relation because of her father extra marital affair. As compared to the
other black people of the country who are still living in poverty Ofilwe is not
so grateful with what she had got because of often getting discriminated due to
skin colour whether at the school, neighbourhood or café.
On the other hand
is Fikile Twala who was born in family suffering from poverty and hardship.
This girl is bold and had set higher goals in her life to get rid of poor life
she is currently living which she calls them as “Project Infinity”. She came in
contact with Ofilwe at Silver Spoons Café where she works as a waitress and
Ofilwe’s family comes for Sunday breakfast every week. Fikile wants to live the
life just like Ofilwe. Finally when Fikile realised that the price for having
comfort and wealth is to give up her identity and heritage of being a African
black girl she struggles between her dreams of living a rich classy life and
her traditions which she feels pride about.
The author Kopano
Matlwa who herself is of African origin have very well blended the life of two
contrasting personalities displaying the ultimate truth that even after
withdrawal of apartheid “Equality” is still a dream for African black people
whether they are rich or poor. The one living in poverty faces discrimination
along with great hardship in life.
Reference
Matlwa, K. (2008). Coconut.
ProQuest Ebook Central https://ebookcentral.proquest.com
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