Xarra Books in Newtown hosted scholars, authors and the public at large for an interactive launch of Mandla Langa’s The Lost Colours of the Chameleon.
The renowned author captivated the imagination of patrons by raising the curtain on his latest novel. “Although insignificant of itself, the chameleon represents a lot of us. If you take the most benign person and give him power, you will get a totally different person,” Langa explained.
Although based on imaginary characters and a semi-imaginative world, the book tells a story of high relevance to South Africa’s current political era. Set in Bangura, an Indian Ocean island plagued by a blood-borne disease, riven along economic lines and torn apart by crime, the story follows the fortunes of “the Colonel”’s three sons, who become in embroiled in a bitter succession struggle following their father’s death.
This family tussle plunges the country into the worst economic and humanitarian quagmire, and reveals the divisions that tears down the country.
Said Langa, “While writing this book, I strived for simplicity. I wanted to write something that could be read by a kindergarten child and a professor at the same time. There is a challenge in that, but I believe that when a writer reaches that level, then he can say he has done exceptionally well.”
With members from the audience voicing their opinions on the book, the event became something of an ideological battle, with some of guests questioning the true colours of the chameleon – much to the author’s amusement.
“I wouldn’t know what the true colours of the chameleon are, but through this novel I wanted us to look at ourselves and those who are in possession of power and prestige in a different way. The tendency of powerful people is to be viewed by others in a way that is not necessarily authentic, it’s a public guise. Do you and I have the power that I talked about? I wouldn’t know.”
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