The Sculptors of Mapungubwe (African Voices: novel)

Chatambudza and Rendani were brought up as brothers and saw each other in that light. They were born in the same year at the same mining compound a day’s journey south of Mapungubwe.’ However, the talented sculptors turn out to be quite different. Chata, taught the ways of the wild by his !Kung mother, seldom does what is expected of him. His astonishing art is fed by spiritual trances and dreams, and his mitshimbilo – wanderlust – takes him on distant adventures. Rendi’s art is skilful but conventional, and his life tightly bound by tradition. Increasing rivalry, resentment and jealousy sour the young men’s relationship. Who will win their power
contest? And what will they destroy in the process? Zakes Mda draws on archaeological evidence and oral tradition to recreate a vibrant and convincing historical backdrop to this timeless story about what happens when the existing order is disrupted.