Story of Refilwe follows Jacana’s aim to
provide stories which are more accessible and understandable to the children of
Africa. (Review by Keith Millar)
Jacana Media’s Best Loved Stories For
Africa is a series of books where favourite children’s tales from around the
world are re-written in the local idiom. The result is stories which are more
accessible and understandable to the children of Africa.
Receiving the treatment on this occasion is
the classic Brothers Grimm fairy Tale, Rapunzel.
Author Zukiswa Wanner has set the story in
the mountain kingdom of Lesotho and has renamed the heroine Refilwe. Refilwe is
a dreadlocked book-reading and singing beauty. However, rather than being
locked away in a tower in the forest by the wicked witch as was the case with
Rapunzel, she is imprisoned in a cave high up on a craggy cliff. The handsome
prince who hears her plaintive signing is Prince Thumi - and rather than
chanting "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair, so that I may climb the
golden stair" he calls “Refilwe, Refilwe let down your locks, so I can
climb the scraggy rocks!”.
When they are caught by the witch, Refilwe
is sent away to the Northern Cape and Prince Thumi is blinded. He wanders the
country alone and lost until one day he again hears that beautiful voice
signing and Refilwe and the Prince are reunited
What does remain from the original is the
lessons taught by the story. Such as good triumphs over evil, and that love
conquers all – and it goes without saying that in the end they all live happily
ever after.
This charming adaptation of Rapunzel was
written by Zukiswa Wanner author of several books including Maid In Africa. The magical and
colourful illustrations which really enrich the book are by Cape Town
illustrator Tamsin Hinrichsen.
The aim of the Best Loved Stories For
Africa series is to encourage reading, and the love of books amongst our
children. The story of Refilwe will enchant children and will go a long way in
promoting these aims.
Refilwe is published by Jacana Media, and is available in English,
Afrikaans, isiXhosa and isiZulu. The ISBN number is 978-1-4314-0927-3. Price
R79. – Keith Millar
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