I think I’ve just been harpooned through the heart.
I just finished reading George Seremba’s Come Good Rain. I don’t know if I have the words to properly express what effect this play has on me – and, given my (somewhat unfortunate?) penchant for digressing into humour, I hope that this post will properly act as a tribute to the experience of reading this piece.
I’ll start by saying: My knowledge of African politics in general is thin. This is something that I’ve been meaning to rectify, and so when George Seremba’s Come Good Rain appeared on my desk this morning I was instantly pleased that the script is preceded with a bit of a historical breakdown of the major leaders of Uganda dating back to British colonial rule.
The play, in short, deals with Seremba’s personal experience having survived some of the most horrific, terror-based, leaders of Uganda during the 70s-80s. Having been somewhat of an opponent of Milton Obote – or, rather, speculative deaths more generally, and at the very least, speculative acquisitions of power – Seremba landed himself in a world of trouble.
I’m between a rock and a hard place; I want so badly to talk about this, but don’t want to ruin the dramatic arc for you, dear readers! …I am fighting a lump in my throat, wanting so badly to talk about the horror this man survived, the things he has seen, my empathy, how humbling it is to read this and realize that yes, you fight for justice, for your fellow human being, because some people have fought under much more trying circumstances. This play : it is heartbreaking.
And yes, you should absolutely not hesitate to read it (Fall 2010! as part of a very exciting anthology re: African-Canadian plays)
Seremba – well, he is outstanding. A beautiful writer, a talented actor, a proponent for higher education, a professor, a true role model. Amazing. Just look! Cmon! I am so so happy I thought to google, because my heart (contending with the shrapnel of knowledge handed to me by this amazing, moving play) has been somewhat soothed knowing where this man has come from, and where he is today.
