About

Gatvol is a South African word, of Afrikaans origin, meaning fed up or irritated. At the time I set up shop I was fed up by the injustice I saw happening on a daily basis. This inspired me to write because I couldn’t just keep quiet about what I saw or irritated me.

This blog is an outlet for my nonfiction writing, random rants, book reviews and various historical or current affairs articles. My main passions are writing and books so most of my articles tend to lean towards that direction.

Occasionally, I dabble in politics or current affairs but that is rather random. I publish randomly but intend to publish more regularly from this moment on. I was away for a while and I have quite a lot of content to share so hang around. You will not be disappointed.

Writing is cathartic for me. The more I write the calmer I feel. I don’t feel so irritable anymore. Consequently, I am evolving emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Thegatvolblogger is evolving too, reflecting my overall evolution.

I am a Sankarist, a person inspired by the principles and works of Thomas Sankara, the first revolutionary president of Burkina Faso.

I am also a scholar of Black Consciousness, inspired by Steve Banto Biko. As a committed Pan Africanist, I am a keen student of African history. I believe it is my duty to keep our history alive by reviving the teachings of legendary sons of Africa mentioned above and many others.

Therefore, my blog features more historical accounts covering the lives of legendary African leaders, within Africa or the Diaspora, who have shaped the destiny of Africa.

Music, poetry, literature (African and English, Russian) are some of my other interests which I will touch on. I am widely read, therefore, expect a wide range of book reviews showcasing the new and old generation of writers like Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Chinua Achebe, NoViolet Bulawayo, Ben Okri, Charles Bukowski, Toni Morrison, Richard Wright, Albert Camus, Emile Zola, etc.

My interests in books is not limited to literary fiction. I am a keen reader of nonfiction work such as The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Alex Haley and Biko: A Life by Xolela Magncu I have reviewed here.

My perspective is Pan African but my approach is internationalist. Our geographical, cultural and social differences are not a hindrance to understanding. We are interconnected in more ways than one.

All these artificial constructs like borders, countries are fluid. They are not static. Throughout history and time they are always shifting and reshaping. And so do our attitudes and understanding.

We, the little people, have more in common than the people in power. It is imperative we learn from one another and make the gulf between us operate like a bridge which we can cross over.

We, the little people, have the most to lose if we fail to unite. Ignorance is our greatest enemy. As Steve Biko said, “The most potent weapon of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed.”

Enlightenment is the weapon to decolonise our minds. Enlightenment is not like an apocalypse. It is a gradual process reached through education, words, ideas and knowledge to fight and defeat our real enemy – ignorance.

This is why I write to share ideas and fight ignorance. As they say in Ghana, “when the fool knows the game, it is over!” Join me, bring your friends and let’s discuss issues that can liberate our minds from mental slavery.

Aluta Continua!