Bluff author delves into SA history in latest novel

A WORDSMITH with a creative take on South Africa’s history, is born storyteller Elwyn Bonhomme. The Treasure Beach teacher turned author is currently finalising the finishing touches to his second novel, Did you tell them?.

His latest literary contribution is a dynamic, fictional take on South Africa’s past policies and events. He describes Did you tell them? as a harrowing narrative of women and child abuse and its consequences. Thule Gumede, a teenage Zulu maiden from a staunch family steeped in Zulu tradition, customs and culture, comes to Durban. She is employed as a domestic worker by a married, arrogant and corrupt Dave Davies who seduces and impregnates her. The child born has all the features of a Zulu but is very fair in complexion and frequently mistaken for an albino. These three lives become inexorably intertwined, spiral out of control and head down the path to destruction.

“The book is inspired by the Immorality Act which forbade and criminalised sexual relations between a white and any non-white. The act first came in 1927 and was amended in 1950. My idea behind writing this story was that all people really know about the law was that it denied whites and non-whites to be together, but there isn’t really further knowledge about it. But in reality it had a major impact on people’s lives, because before it was amended you had various races marrying each other and after 1950, their marriages instantly became illegal. So many people aren’t aware of much this affected married couples, families and people who had simply fallen in love but could no longer be together otherwise they would be deemed criminals,” shared Elwyn who has a degree in psychology and history.

His breakthrough as a writer came about when he was on bed rest after a hernia operation. The time off from work saw him put pen to paper, drafting his thoughts, inquisitions and personal experiences. It wasn’t long before he had written his first novel in 1996 which he shelved.

“Three years ago my daughter asked me about the book and advised me to take it and finalise it to have it published. Looking back now I think it was to my advantage that I had shelved it for almost 10 years, because so much had happened in our country for me to add. And so his debut, The Chasing of the Wind was born which looks at a young man’s quest for a better life which drags him through a world of poverty, discrimination, racial abuse, adultery, deceit, hatred, violence, freedom fighting, enduring friendship, and redemption,” reflected Elwyn who is also busy on book number three.

The Bluff resident describes writing as a therapeutic way of reflecting on lived experiences and traumas of the past. He has a professional career in education which spans over 40 years. He was a teacher at Greenwood Park Primary, Briardene Primary, Collingwood Primary, Fairvale Secondary as well as deputy principal at Gardenia Primary before he took up retirement after serving as principal of Charles Hugo Primary School.

He specialised in maths, science and history. He has been married to Frances for 52 years and they have three children and six grandchildren.

Elwyn’s book is for any curious reader, but is especially targeted to men as it also seeks to bring awareness on women and child abuse. The enthralling read will be published on Saturday, 5 December at the Durban Book Fair held at the Mitchell Park Zoo in Durban. For more information contact Elwyn on is 082-464-0132.  

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