The Centre for African Literary Studies (CALS), UKZN are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of Africa’s greatest novelists, Chinua Achebe.

The CALS collection contains a considerable number of Achebe’s works which are well-used by researchers.  Bernth Lindfors, whose remarkable collection of African literary material forms the core of the CALS library, states that Achebe’s books are read throughout the English-speaking world and have been translated into more than fifty languages.  Achebe’s novels are studied widely, as are his short stories, poetry and essays.  More books, articles, study guides, doctoral dissertations and master’s theses have been produced on his writings than on those of any other African novelist.  Reading his carefully composed works “one is immediately struck by the dignity and grace of his art … moreover, there is a profundity and high moral seriousness in his fiction that can only be found in writing of the very highest quality” states Lindfors, Professor Emeritus of English and African literatures at the University of Texas at Austin.

In correspondence with Bernth Lindfors, he stated “I was attending a conference of the African Literature Association in Charleston, South Carolina, when the news of Achebe’s death came.  A memorial service was quickly organised.  Achebe had attended the inaugural meeting of the ALA in Austin in 1975 and had participated in a number of the ALA’s conferences in the years that followed.  Everyone in the Association knew him or certainly knew of him and had taught his works in African literature courses.  He was much loved and admired not only for his writing but also for his integrity, personal warmth and friendliness.  He was a wise man who lived a good life.”

Achebe will be best remembered for his first and most famous work “Things fall apart” which was first published in 1958.  The poem “Generation gap” captured in Achebe’s handwriting is lodged at CALS – and is especially evocative at this time.