Stitching Broken Pieces and Silencing the Past

Review by Dr. William Mpofu

Abstract: This is a well written manuscript that carries a wealth of themes pertaining to the condition of a girl children growing up in an African family setting. Domestic violence, sexual abuse, the effects of war, anger and hatred, culture and religion, patriarchy are but some of the volatile themes that this courageous manuscript invokes. At once painful and alarming story of a girl children: One Nomazulu who has literally travelled an educating journey from an African village childhood to the world’s capitals and metropolis.

The Plot: The story unfolds in a personal and direct narrative that assumes the status of intimate disclosures of an abandoned and sexually abused girl children who exhibit strength and courage. In the process of this narrative the roles of women, men, relatives and friends in the life of the African children are interrogated. This story is structured in form of a life journey that is pregnant with encounters, scandals and lessons, and it ends with a rounded maturity and can speak with an educated voice.

Educational Value: The present manuscript provides a wealth of educational insights on the African family, society and the encounters of sexual abuse, parental negligence, love, anger and education. The present narrative will be found to be a rich resource for sociologists, psychologists, ministers of religion and professional counselors. Anthropologists and family historians will also find this narrative a profitable learning.

Moral Value: This, at the end of it, is a book about victory and survival. It teaches that abuse and violence can survive and be put in the past. The book also challenges everyone in society to play a part in making constructive decisions and confronting wrong whenever it emerges. This is a positive book that seeks to promote healing and survival in the context of societal challenges.

Conclusion: If published into a book, or screened as an educational documentary, Stitching Broken Pieces and Silencing the Past is a book that would inspire debates that are likely to provoke the writing of more books in solidarity and in response.