Ke Go Jetse Eng by Peter Tseole
(Maskew Miller Longman) R54,95
Grade 10 learners will enjoy Ke Go Jetse Eng, a morality tale made accessible by author Peter Tseole’s use of simple Setswana and settings that are recognisable and easy to follow.
It’s the story of a family – a priest, his wife and their two grown-up sons – who are well-off and respected members of their society. Because of their status, the wife has a tendency to look down on those who are struggling to make ends meet. She also likes to brag about how well behaved her children are and puts them on a pedestal high above all others.
The eldest son works far from home, but the youngest is in matric and still lives with his parents. He falls for a girl in the neighbourhood, but their relationship becomes strained because she is from a poor family and was raised by her grandmother, who his mother believes to be a witch. Eventually his mother’s behaviour leads to the break-up of the couple’s relationship.
But the wheel turns, the mom loses everything she had and the “witch” is the only person prepared to help her out when the community turns against her and she ends up destitute.Ke Go Jetse Eng is based on day-to-day events that can be found in all communities. The characters are recognisable and anyone will be able to relate to them and their antics. The story also draws the reader in and entices one to keep on reading to the last page.
My only criticism is that I found a few grammatical errors, but overall the book is well written and a good addition to stories for Motswana children.
Mamo Moadira is a staff member of the Mail & Guardian Online