Translated by Bester Meyer
Lobola for life (published in 1962 in Afrikaans as Lobola vir die lewe) was a ground-breaking addition to African literature. It was considered to be a clean break from past literary tradition. Brink, strongly influenced by Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre, uses love, at times with sexual nuances, as the starting point for metaphysical enquiry. It then lucidly flows into a metaphysical journey for the archetypical "outsider" to find meaning in an existential complexed reality. It simultaneously invites the reader to do the same. It may turn out to be a "non-reality", even a crisis.
With the 1962 publication, Brink, of the Sestigers generation of Afrikaans literature, not only established himself as the voice of his people, but as a storyteller par excellence. He has a readership in more than 30 languages worldwide, and a lifelong career of literary achievements and international prizes.
Lobola for life is one of the author’s only novels which had not been translated into English. It is a timeless piece of art which sees Brink set in motion what would become a life-long revolt against injustice, the Lie and all that threatens freedom. Set against the backdrop of the post-industrial revolution world and it slaves, it reminds us of today’s slavery to information technology.
Could this work possibly provide the answer to the age-old musings of the id or our identity as a collective?