Today I’ve posted reading from my novel The Magic of Tiéga, but also something else.
My novel begins in place called Mahebourg, the town where my wife and my father were born, and where much of our family still lives. Over two weeks ago now, on the 25th July, a Japanese tanker the MV Wakashio ran aground just off the coast of Mahebourg. Just a week later the ship’s hull fractured and oil began to leak into the sea. With little official help, the people of the Mahebourg and other volunteers banded together in an attempt to stop the oil spreading, an effort that is ongoing, with people often working tirelessly into the night. Many are out there braving the dangers caused by the spillage to deploy improvised floating barriers, others have been dredging the oil which escaped these cordons. Those who are not on the water are feeding the volunteers and gathering the necessary supplies. All this done with their own resources and under their own coordination. However, despite this heroic effort the oil has continued to spread along the eastern coast.
While we might not be there to help, we can make sure the people have the means to carry on fighting this catastrophe. Below I’ve included links to information about the tragedy and a crowdfunding link. If you know somebody there, send them some money to help with supplies. Do whatever you can.
https://www.crowdfund.mu/mauritius-oil-spill-cleaning-2020-mv-wakashio-306.html
https://www.facebook.com/reziste/
https://www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/press/11864/greenpeace-africa-response-to-mauritius-oil-spill/
About The Magic of Tiéga
The Magic of Tiéga takes place in 19th Century Mauritius. Slavery and the period of apprenticeship that followed, have not long ended. At this time the we find an island no so much trying to re-invent itself, but two islands: one trying to maintain the system that made its fortunes and another seeking to distance itself from the misery created by these riches.
Out of this setting emerge Liberté: a Creole boy on the verge of manhood, a budding musician and storyteller, and Mme Lousteau: an ageing plantation mistress sidled with many ghosts. When their paths cross it seems anything but accidental, a past they shared is awoken and their futures bound together in way that seems to promise nothing but misfortune.
