An Experiment Shared & A Challenge Received | In Conversation with Prof Siphiwo Mahala
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In this episode, I have a conversation with Professor Siphiwo Mahala
about literature. With my podcast I aim to explore literary spaces in a broad sense. That means not only speaking to writers or readers, but also to the people who shape how literature is recognised and valued.
Professor Siphiwo Mahala is the Chair of the Sunday Times Literary Awards and an associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Johannesburg. He is also an acclaimed writer in his own right.
We talk about how the judging and selection process works. I explore a question that has been on my mind: what should a South African literary prize winner reveal or achieve in its texts? I think you, listeners, will find this fascinating.
I begin this conversation with a little experiment. I read three of Siphiwo’s published works. Two short story collections; African Delights and his latest The Missing Pages, as well as his recent biography of Drum journalist Can Themba, Can Themba: The Making and Braking of the Intellectual Tsotsi. Based on these texts, I attempted to loosely sketch the “writer” that emerged in my mind. I read this experimental sketch to Siphiwo during our conversation, and you’ll hear how he responds.
I then ask a few in-depth questions about Can Themba’s work, specifically his famous short story The Suit, and intertextuality. You’ll also discover which of Siphiwo’s stories is my favorite and why.
At one point during our conversation, I get a very interesting challenge and my final question is which book we should read during the long summer holiday and festive season ahead of us.
about literature. With my podcast I aim to explore literary spaces in a broad sense. That means not only speaking to writers or readers, but also to the people who shape how literature is recognised and valued.
Professor Siphiwo Mahala is the Chair of the Sunday Times Literary Awards and an associate Professor in the Department of English at the University of Johannesburg. He is also an acclaimed writer in his own right.
We talk about how the judging and selection process works. I explore a question that has been on my mind: what should a South African literary prize winner reveal or achieve in its texts? I think you, listeners, will find this fascinating.
I begin this conversation with a little experiment. I read three of Siphiwo’s published works. Two short story collections; African Delights and his latest The Missing Pages, as well as his recent biography of Drum journalist Can Themba, Can Themba: The Making and Braking of the Intellectual Tsotsi. Based on these texts, I attempted to loosely sketch the “writer” that emerged in my mind. I read this experimental sketch to Siphiwo during our conversation, and you’ll hear how he responds.
I then ask a few in-depth questions about Can Themba’s work, specifically his famous short story The Suit, and intertextuality. You’ll also discover which of Siphiwo’s stories is my favorite and why.
At one point during our conversation, I get a very interesting challenge and my final question is which book we should read during the long summer holiday and festive season ahead of us.
Chapters
- 00:03 Introduction to Professor Siphiwo Mahala
- 03:32 The host's impressions of Mahala as a writer
- 08:01 Mahala's connection to horses and rural life
- 11:18 Mahala's discovery of Can Temba's work
- 15:10 Researching Can Temba's life
- 19:35 The enduring appeal of The Suit
- 26:56 The art of storytelling and finding inspiration
- 31:12 The relationship between writer and text
- 35:39 Understanding Can Temba beyond alcoholism
- 46:00 Mahala's personal connection to The Asylum story
- 52:04 Teaching at the University of Johannesburg
- 57:28 Chairing the Sunday Times Literary Awards
