Farouk Asvat
FAROUK ASVAT is a South African author:[1][2][3],[4], who was involved in the struggle against the apartheid regime:[5].
He was Banned by the South African apartheid regime:list_of_people_subject_to_banning_orders_under_apartheid; and designated an Amnesty International "Prisoner of Conscience":[6].
He qualified as a medical doctor at the University of the Witwatersrand: and has worked at various community clinics and hospitals.
Books by Farouk Asvat[edit]
The Time Of Our Lives (poetry, 1982):[7][8][9],[10];
A Celebration Of Flames (poetry, 1987):[11][12][13][14];
A Celebration Of Flames (poetry, 1989): (selected poems: including from The Time Of Our Lives, Heller Fund, University of California, Berkeley, USA, 1989);
The Wind Still Sings Sad Songs (poetry, 2006):[15][16][17][18];
Bra Frooks … (poetry, 2006):[19][20][21][22];
I Dream In Long Sentences (poetry, 2015);
Sadness In The House Of Love (novel, 2015);
The Gathering Of The Storm (novel, 2016);
Weapons of Words (comparative literature & literary criticism, 2016);
The Paanies Are Coming (short stories, 2017);
In The House Of Love (novel, 2017);
This Masquerade (short stories, 2019).
Honours and Awards[edit]
Banned by the South African apartheid regime (1973 to 1978):list_of_people_subject_to_banning_orders_under_apartheid.
Amnesty International "Prisoner of Conscience" (1973 to 1978):[23].
Possibilities for a Man Hunted by SBs nominated by the International Portland Review (1980).
Health Care Trust Scholarship by the University of Cape Town (1980).
Vita Literary Award for A Celebration of Flames (1987):[24].
Kwanzaa Honors Certificate by the Africa Network (USA, 1987).
EOC Scholarship to the Vrije Universiteit, Netherlands (1987/1988).
Fulbright Scholarship to the University of California at Berkeley (1988/1989).
Literary Journals[edit]
Farouk Asvat's writings have been published in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Turkey, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, Germany, England and South Africa, including:
Berkeley Poetry Review:;[1]; Index on Censorship:[2]; International Portland Review:[25],[3]; Requiem magazine:[26][27][28][29][30][31]; Praxis:[4]; Gar:[5]; Descant:[32]; Poetry Pacific:[33]; The Race Today Review:[6]; Wasafiri:[7]; Europe: Afrique De Sud:[8]; Geneve-Afrique:[9]; O Nag, Kom Gou, Bly Weg!: Zuidafrikaanse Poezie:[10]; Zuid:[11]; Een Feest Van Vlammen:[12]; South Africa: the privileged and the dispossessed:[13]; Dokumente Texte Und Tendenzen:[14]; Englisch Amerikanische Studien:[15]; Awa-Finnaba:[16]; Matatu #3/4: Towards Liberation: culture and resistance in south africa, ed. Geoffrey Davis:[17]; Matatu #5(3): Creativity and Development in Literature, with a critical look at black south african literature in the context of third world and world fiction:[18]; Çağdaş Güney Afrïka Şïrï Antolojïsï:[19]; Crisis And Conflict: Essays On Southern African Literature: proceedings of the XIth annual conference on commonwealth literature and language studies in German-speaking countries, Aachen - Liege, 16-19 June 1988:[34],[35].
In South Africa he has been published in numerous literary magazines, to mention just a few:
Ten Years of Staffrider:[36][37] [20][21][22][23] Exiles Within: seven south african poets:[38][39]; Poskaarte: beelde van die afrikaanse poësie sedert 1960:[40][41]; English Academy Review:[24].
His poems have been translated into French, Portuguese, Turkish and Dutch, including his anthology, A Celebration of Flames.
He has lectured at various writers' forums, conferences and universities:, including Leiden University and Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam in the Netherlands; and at the University of California, Berkeley, USA.
He also freelanced as a journalist, columnist, reviewer, news reporter, special correspondent and art critic for various newspapers, including the Sowetan, The Star, The Indicator, The Voice, Grassroots, and Muslim News.
He has been interviewed for radio by the BBC: BBC World Of Books - interviewed by Mike Popham:[25] BBC Arts & Africa:[26] BBC Topical Tapes:[27] BBC London Calling - interviewed by Hilton File:[28]; Deutsche Welle - interviewed by Alexa Dvorson:[29], and Radio Antilles;
and for print by The Star, Weekly Mail, Tribute magazine, & Cadernos Do Terceiro Mundo: The Power Of Words: interview with the south african poet farouk asvat:[30], + A Força Da Palavra:[31]; Vrije Azania: We Sterven Teveel Doden: interviewed by Jos Dirks [Dutch text]: [32]; Me'decin et poe'te: Entretien avec Farouk Asvat: interviewed by Denise Coussy [French text]: Notre Librairie:[42] [33]. and YouTube:[43],[44].
Medical Doctor[edit]
Farouk Asvat qualified as a medical doctor with an MB BCh at the University of the Witwatersrand University of the Witwatersrand. He did his elective period at the Zanempilo Community Health Centre set up by Steve Biko Steve Biko; but was unable to secure an internship for two and a half years because of "political listing" by the regime. He later worked at various community clinics and hospitals: [45].
Community Activity[edit]
In 1973, Farouk Asvat joined the Black Consciousness Movement: Black People's Convention (BPC), the South African Students' Organisation (SAS0), and Black Community Programmes (BCP). He started the Black Students' Society (BSS) at the University of the Witwatersrand; and initiated the Black Thoughts ensemble and publications:[46][47][48]. He then refused to join any political group or organisation; but remained active, founded several organisations; and continued to work with various political, community and artistic groups:[49].
Banning Order[edit]
Farouk Asvat was then served with a Banning Order by the South African apartheid regime, for his opposition to oppression and racial discrimination:list_of_people_subject_to_banning_orders_under_apartheid,[50].
Death Threats[edit]
Farouk Asvat received a dozen death threats from the Security Police under the apartheid regime - including attempts on his life by tampering with his car; and being threatened to be thrown down from the 10th floor of Security Police headquarters. He has also received fifteen death threats from the African National Congress (ANC) alliance for his views and writings, including an attempt on his life with chemical/biological agents:[51].
Videos & Recordings[edit]
Farouk Asvat under apartheid (video):[52].
A Morte De Steve Biko (video):[53]. Farouk Asvat in Johannesburg in the waning days of apartheid (video): {interview & reading}:[54]. Possibilities For A Man Hunted By SBs (video):[55]. Poetry of the People (video):[56]. South African Black Poets (video):[57]. German Studio recording: (audio):[58].
Reviews & Criticism[edit]
WINNER OF THE VITA AWARD:
● "A Celebration Of Flames is a powerful, impassioned call. The sanity and courage of this collection arises from the poet's unique experiential perceptions of his milieu, making him one of the few who can write about these traumatic times with such lucidity and lyricism. The strength of Farouk Asvat's poetry lies in the way he intertwines the complex elements of social and political conflicts with intense personal relationships. The wide tonal range extends from sensual and delicate insights into the nature of passion to the satiric and humorous use of slang." • Vita Award citation, • Lionel Abrahams, editor Purple Renoster & Sesame:[34].
● "Out of an angry silence, a polished poet is born". • Anton Harber, editor, "Weekly Mail" [35] [36].
● "Sense Of Affirmation Is Hallmark Of True Poetry". • Professor Marcia Leveson, University of the Witwatersrand, in "The Indicator" [37].
● "The legend of poet extraordinaire Farouk Asvat: ... ". • Mphutlane Wa Bofelo, "Straight Talk From Bra Frooks: the legend of farouk asvat":[38].
● "Asvat's poem (Possibilities for a Man Hunted by SBs) is a clear and simple statement of the true state of affairs ... reducible to mathematical terms". • Professor Mbulelo Mzamane, "Perspectives On South African English Literature":[59], [39].
● "Our strength comes from poisoned wells" • Priya Narismulu, University of Durban-Westville:[60].
● "... the vital expression of a people struggling to voice its soul ..." • Phyllis Bischof, University of California at Berkeley, USA:[61].
● "A Força Da Palavra" + "The Death Of Steve Biko" / "A Morte de Steve Biko", p37, • interviewed by Josefa Salmón, Loyola University, USA at the University of Berkeley, California, May, 1989, Portuguese translation by Josefa Salmón: Cadernos Do Terceiro Mundo, Manaus, Brazil, #135, p35-40, August 1990): [62] [40]":
● "The Power Of Words: Interview with the South African poet Farouk Asvat", "Third World", August, 1990: [41] • interviewed by Josefa Salmón, Loyola University, USA at the University of Berkeley, California, May, 1989.
● "Me'decin et poe'te: Entretien avec Farouk Asvat": interviewed by Denise Coussy [French text]: Notre Librairie:.[42]
POSTSCRIPT by MYSTIQUE
Once again, FAROUK ASVAT has been silenced - first by the apartheid regime, then by the ANC, and now by Wikipedia.
Last year I began an article on the subject - it was my very first article using reference links; and my first article for Wikipedia.
So, having jotted down a series of FACTS from different sources,
I wrote to the "teahouse" help section, from the "sandbox" section, without requesting it to be considered for publication; enquiring about several issues and asking for help.
Instead of responding to my queries, the person immediately deleted my article, and "whitelisted" it; saying among other things that it was not original, and that there were no references!
Under the present climate how do I know if the person in the Wikipedia "teahouse" is not a racist; or an ANC member, or an ANC sympathizer?
The China - Taiwan "conflict" is a perfect example of people submitting completely viewpoints, and the prejudice that might be displayed by Wikipedia.
I wonder if anybody else have had their article deleted in the first week, at the first attempt?
Wikipedia only recognizes the White South African writers - none of whom actively took part in the Struggle against Apartheid, in a country of 60 million Blacks, and 5 million Whites - whereas all the Black South African writers were actively involved in the fight, and suffered everything from death, torture, imprisonment, and all types of restrictions including severe censorship and Banning Orders.
After doing extensive research at NELM (the South African National English Literary Museum) - which has a large selection of his articles, and copies of all his books); the South African History Organization; and the WORLD CAT publications list, the Library of Congress Library in the USA, and other internet sites, I resubmitted my article on the subject for re-consideration.
This time the person in the "teahouse" made several suggestions, but said there was now "too much" detail!
Having embarked on this venture, after seeing that there were Wikipedia articles on the subject in Afrikaans and in Dutch - (and been told there were articles on Farouk Asvat in Turkish, Russian, Hindi, Urdu, and Chinese on Wikipedia) - which I cannot verify since I am unable to write in some of these languages - I decided to start my own version in English.
Since I was doing this part-time on my own time, after the second rejection, I decided to give it a rest; only to find out some months later that the entire subject and article had been completely deleted.
I have seen a large number of articles on Wikipedia that have just a few lines, that have no references, and yet they have been accepted.
I have also seen a large number of articles on Wikipedia that have no "negative" material about the subject, and yet they have been accepted.
I have also seen a large number on of articles on Wikipedia on USA & UK tv series - BEFORE they are even broadcast, about USA & UK movies before they are even released - which are largely promotional, and hardly 'neutral', as Wikipedia demanded from me.
I have provided you with about 40 published references, and a further 60 internet references (wherever available), even though the Struggle against apartheid took place BEFORE the internet was in existence.
In spite of my providing you with all these references - both published and on the internet - you now demand detailed references of the references!
There is no way I could know the archival details of these documents, except that I have read them over the years, and they could be verified by various reputed organisations - both in South Africa (the National English Literary Museum (NELM), the South African History Organisation (SAHO), the Banned Peoples' Organisation, and other organisations, libraries and museums; and by international organisations like the Vrije Azania Kommittee based in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, the Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam, the University of Austin Texas library, and the chief librarian and the English Department at the University of Berkeley, California, USA.
What is most troubling about this, is that there are already articles on Farouk Asvat on Wikipedia in Dutch and Afrikaans. He is also recognized by LinkedIn as a respected South African author, besides his very important contribution to the Struggle against Apartheid, both in terms of his writings and public meetings, but also from the harassment and death threats and attempts on his life - not only by the Apartheid regime, but also from the African National Congress.
Do people who have not lived under discrimination, oppression and tyranny even have an idea of how much bravery and courage is involved these forces - it is a reality for some, not some intellectual or fictional story to be told.
Anyway, I have extensively culled my original article, removed many of the specifics, and most importantly only represented the FACTS as they can be cross-referenced from the various sources; and am re-submitting this version; and hope you will read it with an open mind, and not as one that was prematurely CENSORED.
I will remove this preamble as soon as you read this article with an open mind, and not as one "tainted" from the very beginning, - and accept the subject, and publish the article on Wikipedia without prejudice.
POSTSCRIPT by MYSTIQUE
This article "Farouk Asvat" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Farouk Asvat. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
- ↑ The Berkeley Poetry Review, Berkeley, California, USA, p128-130, #23/24, 1990
- ↑ Index On Censorship , London, UK, p27, vol 9, #3, Jun 1980
- ↑ International Portland Review, Portland, USA, p331, 1980
- ↑ Praxis, University of California, Los Angeles, USA, p27, #4-6, 1978
- ↑ Gar 34, University of Texas, USA, p24, April 1980
- ↑ The Race Today Review , London, UK, p30, v17 #1, Feb 1986
- ↑ Wasafiri , London, UK, p55, #21, Spring 1995
- ↑ Europe: Afrique De Sud, Demain le Feu, Les Temps Modernes, Juin-Juillet-Aout, #480-481, p183, 1986
- ↑ Genève-Afrique, Genève, Switzerland, xxvii (2), p112, 1989
- ↑ O Nag, Kom Gou, Bly Weg!: ZuidAfrikanse poëzie, Kairos, Utrecht, Netherlands, p16, 1988
- ↑ Mogelijkheden voor iemand die wordt geplaagd door honger, Zuid, Utrecht, Netherlands, p16, 1988
- ↑ Dutch translation of his anthology, A Celebration of Flames by Irene Scheltes
- ↑ South Africa: the privileged and the dispossessed, #12, p370, ed. F Schöningh, Paderborn, Germany,1985
- ↑ Dokumente Texte Und Tendenzen VIII: south african literature - from popular culture to the written artefact: 2nd Bad Boll Conference, 11-13 December 1987, Bad Boll, Germany, Evangelische Akademie, Bad Boll, Germany, 1987
- ↑ Englisch Amerikanische Studien, München, Germany, p262, v10, n2, 1988
- ↑ Awa-Finnaba, West Berlin, Germany, #2, p2 & p8, March 1988
- ↑ Matatu #3/4: Towards Liberation: culture and resistance in south africa, ed. Geoffrey Davis, Matsamela Manaka, Jurgen Jansen, p46, 183, 189-190, Göttingen, Germany, 1988
- ↑ Matatu #5 (3): Creativity and Development in Literature, with a critical look at black south african literature in the context of third world and world fiction, Matatu, Göttingen, Germany, vol 5(3), p235`-246`, 1989
- ↑ Bencekitap Publishing, Istanbul, Turkey, p231-235, 2013
- ↑ Staffrider: Ravan Press, Johannesburg, vol 2 (3), p31, Jul/Aug 1979
- ↑ Staffrider: Ravan Press, Johannesburg, vol 3 (1), p13, Jun 1980
- ↑ Staffrider: Ravan Press, p16-20, vol 4 (2), p16-20, July/Aug 1981
- ↑ Kelwyn Sole, Staffrider, Ravan Press, p75-83, Johannesburg, vol 7 (1), 1988
- ↑ English Academy Review 3, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, #3, p6-7, 1985
- ↑ BBC World Of Books, BBC, London, UK, 1988
- ↑ BBC Arts & Africa, BBC, London, UK, 1988
- ↑ BBC Topical Tapes, BBC, London, UK, 1988
- ↑ London Calling, BBC, London, UK, 1988
- ↑ Deutsche Welle, Germany, 1988
- ↑ The Power Of Words: interview with the south african poet farouk asvat, Third World, August, 1990
- ↑ A Força Da Palavra, + The Death Of Steve Biko / A Morte de Steve Biko, Cadernos Do Terceiro Mundo, Manaus, Brazil, #135, p35-40, August 1990
- ↑ We Sterven Teveel Doden (interview), Vrije Azania, Rotterdam, Netherlands, v13 (4), p10-12, July 1988
- ↑ Notre Librairie, ed. Denise Coussy, Clef, Paris, France, p138-143, #122, April-June 1995
- ↑ Vita Award citation, Lionel Abrahams, editor Purple Renoster & Sesame
- ↑ Harber, Anton, ed. (14–20 August 1987). ""Out of an Angry Silence, A Polished Poet is Born"". Weekly Mail. Johannesburg, South Africa. p. 19.
"Out of an Angry Silence, A Polished Poet is Born"
- ↑ "Out of an Angry Silence, A Polished Poet is Born", interviewed by Anton Harber, editor, (Weekly Mail, Johannesburg, p19, 14-20.08.1987)
- ↑ "Sense Of Affirmation Is Hallmark Of True Poetry", Professor Marcia Leveson, "The Indicator", Caxton, p44, 25-30.09.1987)
- ↑ "Straight Talk From Bra Frooks: the legend of farouk asvat" by Mphutlane wa Bofelo, "kagablog", 08.11.2007
- ↑ "Colonial And Imperial Themes In South African Literature 1820-1930", Professor Mbulelo Vizikhungo Mzamane, "The Yearbook Of English Studies, Modern Humanities Research Association", vol 13, pp181-195, 1983
- ↑ "Cadernos Do Terceiro Mundo", Manaus, Brazil, #135, p35-40, August 1990
- ↑ "The Power Of Words: interview with the south african poet Farouk Asvat", "Third World", August, 1990
- ↑ "Me'decin et poe'te: Entretien avec Farouk Asvat": • interviewed by Denise Coussy [French text]
