Coconut Kopano Matlwa

Sources

The Book "Coconut"

http://www.jacana.co.za/

http://www.sharondavis.co/portfolio/newsletter-articles/76-kopano-matlwa-profile-of-a-young-author.html

Structure

1. EU Literary Award

2. About the author

3. First Part

3.1 Main Characters

3.2 Summary

4. Second Part

4.1 Main Characters

4.2 Summary

5. Scene that impressed me most

6. My opinion about the book

EU Literary Award

Coconut is the Winner of the EU Literary Award 2006

Rules

The European Union Literary Award is presented annually by Jacana Media and the European Union to a first, unpublished novel by a South African. Submissions must be received by 30 September. The winner of the EU Literary Award will be announced at a ceremony n Johannesburg the following March. The winner will receive R25000 and will have his or her novel published by Jacana Media. This award is open to South African writers resident in South Africa.

EU Literary Award Jury:

“Narrated from a teenager’s perspective, Kopano Matlwa’s Coconut is an audacious, lyrical and compassionate tale. It explores the grey, in-between, intimate experiences and dilemmas of a young girl who, like the society around her, is undergoing changes that call old boundaries, comforts and certitudes into question.”

About the Author

• born at the Mamelodi Day Hospital in Pretoria in 1985
• grew up in Midrand in Gauteng
• won a scholarship to attend St Peter's College in Sunninghill, Johannesburg
• studied medicine at the University of Cape Town
• was selected as one of eight Goldman Sachs Global Leaders to represent South Africa at the Goldman Sachs Global Leadership Institute in New York
• Coconut was published in 2007 when she was just 21
• graduated from medical school in 2010
• was awarded a Rhodes scholarship to study at Oxford University (2010)
• currently reading for her masters in Global Health

First Part

Ofilwe is a young girl from a wealthy black family. She spends her childhood mostly with white people which effects she is losing her culture. Trying to fit into the golden world of the rich, Ofilwe quickly has to admit this world also is prejudiced against blacks. Besides she must see her parents are about to drift apart.

Main Characters

Summary

Gemina Tlou

Tshepo Tlou

• Ofilwe's Mom
• Even not finished High School
• worked as nurse until John told her to stay at home

• Ofilwe's big brother
• attended a school only for boys
• wants to study African Literature and Languages

• on sunday: The Tlou's go to church

After that, they go to Little Square Shopping Center to eat at Silver Spoon Coffee Shop

Ofilwe Tlou

• attends a nursery school
• lives with her family in Little Valley Country Estate
• goes to St. Francis Angelican Church every Sunday with her family

John Tlou

• Ofilwe's father
• works as IT specialist
• has his "lady friends"

In italics is written anything Ofilwe remembers of her childhood during this one day.

Second Part

Main Characters

Summary

Fikile

on sunday: Fikile stands up early to get

the train to Little Square Shopping Centre to work at Silver Spoon Coffee Shop

• lives with her Uncle because he is the only real family she has
• started "Project Infinity": someday she wants to be white and famous
• works at Silver Spoon Coffee Shop: wants to earn enough money to go away
• sleeps on the kitchen floor since she was 11

shared a bed with her Uncle before but realized making him happy at night was sexual abuse

Silas Nyoni

• Fikile's Uncle
• Operations Manager of Lentso Communications
• Fikile's legal guardian

In italics is written anything Fikile remembers of her childhood during this one day.

Scene that impressed me most

It is the scene where Ofilwe and Fikile meet. I will read the Scene from both sights.

My opinion about the book

"Coconut shows two examples of young black girls' lives in south africa, different in many ways but equal in one point: Things not always are what they seem. Coconut is an exciting novel with authentic characters and fascinating stories.

So if you find it interesting you can ask Mr Rüscher to lend you the book. I can recommend it to everyone."

Coconut

Kopano Matlwa

Winner of the European Union Literary Award