Machona Mother: Shebeen Queen

By Simon Chilembo

This is the fifth of Simon Chilembo's books in the MACHONA Series. In his Zambian Tumbuka people's tongue, Machona is derived from the verb ku-chona/ to vanish. Especially in relation to South Africa, it means emigrant, often male. For as long as the emigrant stays abroad, Machona is normally a neutral word describing a formerly local person whose exile is acknowledged. In the event of the exile's return home, the term is usually used disparagingly with potentially dire consequences for the subjects. 1. In MACHONA - Emigrant we meet a young Zambian immigrant into South Africa. His story of survival is developed around the economic aspirations of many migrant labourers from the northern countries. It also highlights the psycho-social challenges and traumas arising. The novel also plays out aspects of deep African culture, and Africans' relationship with nature and the supernatural. Colonial and South Africa's apartheid history completes the narrative. 2. MACHONA AWAKENING - Home in Grey Matter deals with real life issues of a returning exile. It addresses questions of identity and sense of belonging: what defines the place called home? 3. MACHONA SON - Ain't Going Nowhere presents a defiant immigrant' son. The boy argues that, as a South African born, he has every right to live in this country. His story revolves around the economic success aspirations of people like his immigrant father, as well. 4. With MACHONA BLOGS - As I See It, the second-generation real life Machona presents a collection of his socio-politico commentaries in his immediate and distant worlds. 5. MACHONA MOTHER - Shebeen Queen is inspired by the condition of local women that fall in love and, eventually, establish families with immigrant men. Whereas the economic aspirations are similar, the women play the game differently.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1793955824
• ISBN13: 9781793955821
• Release Date: February 2019
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 404 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.0" x 9.0"