Coconut
by Kopano Matlwa
This interesting, well written book is a ‘coming of age’ narrative of two young South African girls: Ofilwe from a comfortably-off middle class family in a ‘leafy’ suburb of Johannesburg, and the sassy, township-bred Fiks. Without their knowing it, their lives intersect and their aspirations and expectations are contrasted. Both these young girls are experiencing an awakening awareness of their role in the ‘emerging black middle class’ society of South Africa. Fiks, from the townships, covets the material trappings of a capitalist society that parades through the coffee shop where she is a waitress, but where she is only noticed in her subordinate role. Ofilwe, secure and happy at her 
'posh' school, experiences the little hurts of being black in a mainly white society, but it is her brother (a bit hung up about losing his ‘black’ identity to an amorphous western culture) who makes her question where she is headed.
'posh' school, experiences the little hurts of being black in a mainly white society, but it is her brother (a bit hung up about losing his ‘black’ identity to an amorphous western culture) who makes her question where she is headed. More threateningly, sexism and infidelity make an impact on the lives of both the girls.
The author
Kopana Matlwa is a bright, charming young lass studying medicine at UCT, and the very picture of a successful new South African, but she obviously has underlying doubts and regrets (and perhaps also a degree of embarrassment that she is black on the outside and white inside -an insult that is thrown at up-and-coming black people in this absurd society of ours!) that she voices through the two characters in her book. I think she writes very well (and indeed, she has won a prestigious award for the book) and look forward to more of her books.
Comment on Coconut by Kopana Matlwa (Jacana, 2007) by Caroline.
Woodlands Bookclub rating: 3.5
Book no 2146 (Brenda)
