When Govenders get crabby!

MY NAME is Govender... Ravi Govender!

One of the things I am most proud of is that I am a writer and a published author. Why you may ask? Well, many of you may be tired of hearing about my school life and my love of all things. books. My enchantment with Dickens, Shakespeare and Rider Haggard.

I started reading the written word at the age of three, thanks to my older brother, Rajin, who taught me to read and write even before I embarked on my school voyage. It was a titanic adventure, but at the end of it, I am privileged and honoured to now have people reading my writings. I am infused with hubris, but minus the arrogance, although my late mom would disagree with that statement.

Nevertheless, before she passed on, she attended my first two book launches. To say she beamed with pride throughout the functions would be putting it mildly. Even more momentous for her was that she appeared on the cover of my second book, alongside my late father. I was pleased to know that South Africa has birthed quite a few penmen and women with the surname Govender. Let me introduce them to you: arguably, the most famous writer Govender was a larger-than-life man named Sathiseelan Gurulingam Govender. Who? You may know him better as the celebrated playwright, theatre director and activist, Ronnie Govender.

I was blessed to be in his company numerous times. Those were momentous times and memories. If you were fortunate to be in his circle of associates, each meet-up would be indelible in your memory. You look, listen and learn from this legend. In conversation, he pulled no punches, which was the same in his writings. His speech was always well punctuated and peppered with choice expletives, which he could do dexterously in a variety of languages.

His passing on was a severe blow to the country and the world of writing. He was our Don Corleone (The Godfather) of literature. The heartening fact is that his daughter took up the literary cudgels, albeit for one incredible outing. In 2007, Pregaluxmi (Pregs) Govender released her book, Love and Courage: A Story of Insubordination. I treasure my autographed copy as I do with every one of Ronnie’s personally autographed classics. Pregs, having grown up in a politically awoke family, invariably become an activist and a vociferous supporter of feminism and human rights. 

When I received her book, I devoured it and immediately re-read it. It was an impressive addition to South African literature. She proved that the Govender blood, actually, ink, ran in her veins. Like any worthy biography or autobiography, Preg’s homage to her father was exactly as her dad lived his life. Straight forward, direct, in your face. She tackled many difficult topics and did so without censorship and with great candour. Her dad’s imperfections were not glossed over or justified. They were called out and ventilated. She proved she was proudly Govender. A gravy-soaking potato chip off the old block.

Speaking of food, Ronnie was an unapologetic gourmand and not surprisingly, he relished a well-made crab curry. If you know the significance of that little detail, then you will chuckle.

On April 29, 2021, Govender passed away at a ripe old 86 years of age. However, before that, he had penned a memoir of his chequered life and in typical Ronnie-style, he titled it, In the Manure. He said that was the place he had found himself often throughout his life.

One of my very close friends and confidante is the popular writer, Vanessa Govender. In typical Govender-norm, she is and has always been a frank and straight-shooting individual. I presume much of that derived from her having been an award-winning television news journalist. Before that, she was a radio journalist at the SABC, which is where I met this beautiful soul when I worked at Lotus FM.

She segued into writing with a successful children’s book, The Selfish Shongololo. Then she wrote a no-holds-barred book about her real-life adventures with another kind of shongololo, this time a brutal, narcissistic, spoilt, rich brat. The captivating Beaten but not Broken in 2018 was a best-seller. Vanessa settled down and started a family with a lovely, gentle soul. She has just released an amazing book called The Village Indian in which she regales us with her stories of growing up in a village in KwaZulu-Natal. She does not reveal the name of it, but if you an Indian that knows your Coriander and Kashmiri masala, you’d easily work it out. Interestingly, both Ronnie and Vanessa had their books published by Jacana Media.

Neelan Govender was a medical practitioner who also wrote two highly significant books, Girmit Tales and Legends of the Tide. Better known as Dr PN Govender, he was well-loved by the community. He sadly passed on a few years ago. Guess what’s the name of South Africa’s youngest author. I know looks are deceiving but it’s not me. Atarah Teagan Govender is now nine years old. But catch this. She published her book Lilly in her Garden at the amazing age of six years in 2022.

The Govender author legacy plan is in no way going to diminish. Writing space inhibits me from focusing on more writers named Govender., but I would be amiss If I did not mention a hurricane named Rubendra Govender. If you know the gentleman, you would understand why I call him that. He’s a bundle of energy that is not easily forgotten. I met him when his first book, the best-selling Sugar Cane Boy was still a manuscript residing in his trustylaptop.

I was privileged to assist him in knocking it into shape. This was simple as the writing talent was already there as book sales have proven. Ditto with his second book, The English Major’s Daughter. We await the much-anticipated release of the film based on his first book. The son of a pioneering Indian sugar cane farming dynasty going global.

This upcoming Sunday at an Umhlanga hotel, another Govender makes his book debut. When I joined SABC radio, circa. 2006, the name Subry Govender was already a legendary one. Over the following years I was not blessed to work closely with him personally. But I certainly knew of him. However, it is only when I was editing his first book that I learned why "legendary" is a worthy adjective to describe Govender.

He served time in the trenches - literally and symbolically. His tale is one of courage, pathos, and truth. His life took a beating from many angles and he is still standing... testament of resilience, bravery and honour. I don't use these words loosely. Immerse yourself in Coolie Journalist, his life story, and draw your own conclusion. My view is that this publication is essential reading and should take its rightful place among South African great writings. Peek into Subry's world... it is a fascinating one and not easily forgettable.

So, what do Govenders do when they get crabby? Well, judging from theaforegoing - I guess they write. 

Ravi Govender is a former POST sub-editor and Lotus FM radio presenter. He is a published author of four books, a freelance editor and film producer in training. He can be contacted at: [email protected]

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media. 

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