The shebeen (or tavern) in Bolaji’s Tebogo and the Haka
By Raselebeli Khotseng
A common comment about many of Omoseye Bolaji’s works of fiction is that a lot of the action is often centred in taverns or shebeens! This is particularly true as regards the Tebogo Mystery series. There is plenty of action in shebeens in Tebogo Fails and Ask Tebogo as usual.
Hence it is no surprise that in his latest work, Tebogo and the Haka (2008) a lot of the action takes place at the Club or shebeen, strangely called The Haka itself. We see Tebogo Mokoena the investigator visiting the place every time during his stay in Ladybrand, and he certainly enjoys himself, relaxing, quaffing, drinking, meeting all sorts of people.
Really many might wonder: how important are shebeens- for black people? The answer is obvious enough: apart from so many taverns and shebeens in towns and cities targeting the black people, it is fascinating that in the townships, virtually every street has at least one or two shebeens frequented by so many.
So what are the attractions of shebeens? Obviously the first is the alcohol itself, biri . In the shebeens the alcohol always flows and the sellers often make sure it is ice cold you can buy at almost anytime of the day, especially during the weekends. Many people go into debt heavily not minding, so long as they can pay their debts at the end of the month or when convenient. I have seen cases of some people owing as much as a thousand rand monthly to settle debts for alcohol.
At shebeens there is always this ambience of excitement and fizz, people throng the places, talk, exchange quips and even share bottles together. During big matches, especially soccer, many people gather to support their local team or the national team, at the 2007 Rugby World Cup many people enjoyed the games at the shebeens.
Then there is the music, at such places assorted music is played often till late in the night during weekends. The atmosphere is informal and people can also bring their own beloved brands of music. It is an excuse for music unlimited, with loudspeakers blaring forth very loud music with the patrons enjoying; all the while the drinks are flowing.
Needless to say at the shebeens and taverns there are many women who come and add spice to the whole atmosphere. Whilst it is not true that most of the ladies who frequent sheebens are cheap or waiting to be picked up, a fair number of them are. At worst they believe they can get men to buy drinks for them at such places, and if anything happens afterwards? Ladies, after some drinks become liberated and become the heart and soul of such assemblages.
Omoseye Bolaji, time and again uses riveting scenes from the shebeens to make his fiction more exciting. In Tebogo and the Haka, with Tebogo’s wife Khanyi thousands of kilometres away overseas, the protagonist can enjoy the company of ladies at the shebeen or Club, the likes of Brenda, Maki and Charlotte. Of course he still succeeds in solving the mysteries as usual talk of mixing business with pleasure!
March 11th, 2008 at 8:58 am
Let the disciple be the first one to comment! Indeed shebeens are the haert and soul of township life - I remember once sitting down patiently at such a place and composing a series of poems at one sitting as inspiration followed inspiration
March 11th, 2008 at 9:02 am
On second thoughts, can’t the cover of the book (Tebogo and the haka) be put beside this article, in the special style of kagablog?
March 11th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Not a bad article eh? Even if I say so myself!
March 11th, 2008 at 11:01 am
People like me have always cautioned writers poets etc not to get carried away and indulge in self praise. Contrary to what Mr Raselebeli writes here, Tebogo the investigator never met Charlotte at the shebeen or tavern
March 11th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Once again Mr Aaron is being confrontational. Tebogo got to know about Charlotte from the Club (tavern) and we learn from the book that Charlotte used to go there fairly regularly.
March 11th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
A fine article - but strictly speaking, Aaron is right. Tebogo never actually met Charlotte at the Haka club or tavern
March 12th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
I suppose there is plenty of “life” at a shebeen, but this does not mean that all or even most of blacks go to such places. I know quite a number of people who rarely go to shebeens - including myself.
March 12th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
“Rarely” is different from “never”. With so many shebeens all over the place especially in the townships, the shebeen can be regarded as an integral part of life - to a very large number of people. Imagine the scenes when different paydays occur!
March 12th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Well, Mr lechesa has got his wish - as i was writing this, the cover of the book suddenly appeared here! So I am not confrontational, you can even call me bearer of good tidings!
March 12th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Yes good to see this cover here
March 13th, 2008 at 9:22 am
I have just heard about this article, which is quite interesting. I remember once travelling to Gauteng by train and reading one of Bolaji’s books - Ask Tebogo. I too got the impression taht a lot of the action took place in shebeens, with Tebogo taking to such places like a duck to water; including his seemingly harmless conversations and enquiries.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
My favourite Tebogo book is Tebogo fails (2003). Not only because of the moving love angle between Tebogo and Khanyi, but also because of Tebogo’s humility - drinking very cheap “pineapple” (liquor) with the poorest of the poor at a shebeen in Botshabelo
March 15th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Yet if you read teh text of Tebogo Fails carefully, despite Tebogo’s empathy, there is an element of condescension in the narrative, an almost patronising attitude as Tebogo drinks with the masses so to speak
March 16th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
If that’s true, then it’s fine that not only whites can be patronising! (just joking)
March 17th, 2008 at 10:26 am
People read whatever they want into everything. I never felt Tebogo was patronising anybody in Tebogo Fails. After all he’s a product of the townships too. If he was not the empathetic type, the essays of Dave, focusing on mainly the poor would not have moved him so much.
March 23rd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Interestingly this long weekend (easter) I was talking with some friends at a tavern in the townships and Mr Flaxman Qoopane was there, as usual with many books of local interest(always in his bags) which he showed to people around. Within the next one hour at least 20 people there were busy reading pages and portions from the different books, with apt concentration, depite drinking. it made me wonder whether a shebeen or tavern could facilitate reading even more than the libraries!
April 25th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Well, with so many holidays in South Africa starting now and including most of next week, expect so many people to enjoy the taverns and shebeens. Will we meet our fictional “Tebogo” there???