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Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree
“This apricot tree has multiple souls that fill me with wonder every morning and enchant me by afternoon. This tree has bitter-sweet memories, just like the fruit it bears.” If the apricot trees of Soweto could talk, what stories would they tell? This short story collection provides an imaginative answer. Imbued with a vivid sense of place, it captures the vibrancy of the township and surrounds. Told with satirical flair, life and death are intertwined in these tales where funerals and the ancestors feature strongly; where cemeteries are places to show off your new car and catch up on the latest gossip. Populating these stories is a politician mesmerised by his mistress’s manicure, zama-zamas running businesses underground, a sangoma with a remedy for theft, soccer fans ready to mete out a bloody justice, a private dancer in love and many other intriguing characters. Take your seat under the apricot tree and be enthralled by tales that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.
187 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 6, 2018
15 people are currently reading
385 people want to read
About the author
Niq Mhlongo
18 books81 followersMhlongo was born in Midway-Chiawelo, Soweto, the seventh of nine children, and raised in Soweto. His father, who died when Mhlongo was a teenager, worked as a post-office sweeper. Mhlongo was sent to Limpopo Province, the province his mother came from, to finish high school. Initially failing his matriculation exam in October 1990,[1] Mhlongo completed his matric at Malenga High School in 1991. He studied African literature and political studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, gaining a BA in 1996. In 1997 he enrolled to study law there, transferring to the University of Cape Town the following year. In 2000 he discontinued university study to write his first novel, Dog Eat Dog.[2]
He has been called, "one of the most high-spirited and irreverent new voices of South Africa's post-apartheid literary scene".[1]
Mhlongo has presented his work at key African cultural venues, including the Caine Prize Workshop and the Zanzibar International Film Festival, and was a 2008 International Writing Program fellow at the University of Iowa.[3] His work has been translated into Spanish and Italian.
He has been called, "one of the most high-spirited and irreverent new voices of South Africa's post-apartheid literary scene".[1]
Mhlongo has presented his work at key African cultural venues, including the Caine Prize Workshop and the Zanzibar International Film Festival, and was a 2008 International Writing Program fellow at the University of Iowa.[3] His work has been translated into Spanish and Italian.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 5, 2025
Updated: 14th April 2022 I found myself questioning over and over if the endings might have been better after reading another short storybook and defending the terrible endings of this book's stories. Yes, they could have been better. I still enjoyed the book, but I had to reduce my rating to two stars.
Original review:
It was late 2018, I was looking through the African fiction section shelf at Exclusive Books when I heard a friendly and warm voice behind me. Hello, is there something specific you're looking for? Oh yes, Soweto, Under the Apricot TreeSoweto Under The Apricot Tree, I replied.
I had listened to Kaya FM's Jenny Crwys-Williams review the book which was followed by an interview with Niq Mhlongo and since then I've been trying to get my hands on the book. When the book store assistant returned, he told me the bitter-sweet news. They had just sold the last copy of the book minutes before I had walked in. This was the fourth or fifth book store I have been in and all were sold out. It would take me three years to eventually get my hands on the book.
About Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree
Niq Mhlongo's Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree is a collection of short stories about Sowetans or people linked to Soweto in some way or the other.
Stories:
The book's summary sums up the stories well:
As a person who was born in Soweto grew up in Soweto and is still a resident of Soweto, these stories felt familiar and all Mhlogo had to do was put pen to paper. By end of the first two stories, I was sure this book would be a 5/5 for me, but the further I delved into the book the stories were not connecting for me as much as the first two. I did not like the writing style of some of the stories or the abrupt ending in some.
Overall, I did like the book and think it's a book I will revisit in future. Perhaps after reading a few more short story books, I will relate to this book a little bit more especially since these are imaginative stories from hom.
Original review:
It was late 2018, I was looking through the African fiction section shelf at Exclusive Books when I heard a friendly and warm voice behind me. Hello, is there something specific you're looking for? Oh yes, Soweto, Under the Apricot TreeSoweto Under The Apricot Tree, I replied.
I had listened to Kaya FM's Jenny Crwys-Williams review the book which was followed by an interview with Niq Mhlongo and since then I've been trying to get my hands on the book. When the book store assistant returned, he told me the bitter-sweet news. They had just sold the last copy of the book minutes before I had walked in. This was the fourth or fifth book store I have been in and all were sold out. It would take me three years to eventually get my hands on the book.
About Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree
Niq Mhlongo's Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree is a collection of short stories about Sowetans or people linked to Soweto in some way or the other.
Stories:
MY FATHER’S EYES
CURIOSITY KILLED THE CAT
MOVING LANDMARK
ROPED IN
AVALON
NAILED
TURBULENCE
WHISTLE-BLOWERS AND VUVUZELAS
PRIVATE DANCER SAUDADE
EVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY
SOWETO, UNDER THE APRICOT TREE
The book's summary sums up the stories well:
SUMMARY
“This apricot tree has multiple souls that fill me with wonder every morning
and enchant me by afternoon. This tree has bittersweet memories, just like
the fruit it bears.”
If the apricot trees of Soweto could talk, what stories would they tell?
Acclaimed writer Niq Mhlongo’s second short story collection provides an
imaginative answer to this question. It is imbued with a strong sense of place
as it captures the vibrancy of the township and its surrounds. Told with his
characteristic satirical flair, life and death are intertwined in these tales where
funerals and the role of the ancestors feature strongly; where cemeteries are
convenient places to meet old friends, show off your new car and catch up on
the latest gossip.
Naledi visits a cemetery in search of her father, and Bra Makhenzo, with his
kick-and-bhoboza shoes and rising debt, uses a funeral to propagate his
politics. A cat’s burial features in one story and in another a missing dog
returns when his owner is laid to rest under mysterious circumstances. Then
there is the MEC who is fascinated by his mistress’s manicure, the
zamazamas running underground settlements, a homeless man who does not
want to be saved and a mob of soccer fans ready to mete out a bloody justice.
Take your seat under the apricot tree and let a born storyteller enthral you
with tales that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.
As a person who was born in Soweto grew up in Soweto and is still a resident of Soweto, these stories felt familiar and all Mhlogo had to do was put pen to paper. By end of the first two stories, I was sure this book would be a 5/5 for me, but the further I delved into the book the stories were not connecting for me as much as the first two. I did not like the writing style of some of the stories or the abrupt ending in some.
Overall, I did like the book and think it's a book I will revisit in future. Perhaps after reading a few more short story books, I will relate to this book a little bit more especially since these are imaginative stories from hom.
January 26, 2020
I went into this with plenty of bias against Mhlongo. I'd read a piece by him in the Johannesburg Review of Books and it was corny and the satirical style bordered on something I didn't like. I ended up enjoying Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree. I found some of the stories engrossing specifically the ones about men. I don't think his female subjects were written with care and often I felt that there was a misogynistic view of them not only by the male characters but by the author. This is specific to one story titled Private Dancer Saudade. I didn't enjoy reading descriptions about women and how they looked and they're body shapes. I also thought that Mhlongo writes about sex a bit badly, it's not unique to him, I don't think most male authors can write sex well and I had this thought of I would be totally okay if male authors stopped writing about sex or if I never had to read sex being written about men... not that there was much sex here but the few times it appeared I was cringing. My favorite stories from the collection was 'Curiosity Killed the Cat', 'Roped In', 'Avalon', 'Turbulence', and 'Whistle-blowers and Vuvuzelas'. Mhlongo is gifted with writing about place and creating an atmosphere and these stories felt like you'd been pulled in and observing everything as it was happening.
April 18, 2018
Soweto Under The Apricot Tree is a collection of eleven short stories covering 208 pages. Other books by Mhlongo are "Dog Eat Dog" (2004), "After Tears"(2007) "Way Back Home" ( 2013), and "Affluenza" (2016).
In Soweto Under The Apricot Tree, we are regaled with interesting tales mainly set in Soweto and the surrounding areas. Events are in post democratic South Africa, with some reflections to the apartheid era.
Intriguing stories about ; deception, mental health , physical disorder, emotional abuse, love, superstitions, racial intolerance, survival, illegal mining, politics, philandering, corruption , death , mob justice and crime.
The tussle between the Christian and African belief systems feature prominently in the book. Traditional healers, amadlozi ; desciples and Jesu contesting for prominence as a vehicle to tackling misfortune, and for looking into the future.
In Soweto Under The Apricot Tree, Mhlongo outdone himself in the skill of story telling. He excelled in the latter without being contrived or restricted by the intricacies of the Queen's language. I love how in the last story that shares the book title , he unapologetically and effectively uses tsotsi taal and township lingo. The magic with Mhlongo is that he writes like he speaks. His manner of story telling caters for readers and non reading listeners.
In two of his stories "My Father's Eyes" and "Private Dancer Saudade" we witness him as a male author writing as female protagonists. My most favourite stories were " Curiosity Killed A Cat" , "Avalon" ; ' Nailed" " Soweto Under The Apricot Tree" "Every Dog Has Its Day" "My Father's Eyes" and " Whistle Blowers And Vuvuzelas".
If music be the food of love, let it play on in this book like it did in Mhlongo's other books. I enjoyed and loved the music featured in the book. Coupled with classics of Sankomota's "Ramasela" Abdula Ibrahim's 'Mannenberg" " "Jikijela" of Letta Mbulu, and "Mayanka" by Teenage Lovers; it was refreshing and hip for "Sister Bettina" "Xigubu" of DJ Ganyani , and " Khona" by Mafikizolo to be included.
If you have lived in a South African township and or suburb, you will undoubtedly relish and resonate with the contends of the book. Proudly Msanzi and made in kasi, that is how i would label Soweto Under The Apricot Tree . A brilliant read !
In Soweto Under The Apricot Tree, we are regaled with interesting tales mainly set in Soweto and the surrounding areas. Events are in post democratic South Africa, with some reflections to the apartheid era.
Intriguing stories about ; deception, mental health , physical disorder, emotional abuse, love, superstitions, racial intolerance, survival, illegal mining, politics, philandering, corruption , death , mob justice and crime.
The tussle between the Christian and African belief systems feature prominently in the book. Traditional healers, amadlozi ; desciples and Jesu contesting for prominence as a vehicle to tackling misfortune, and for looking into the future.
In Soweto Under The Apricot Tree, Mhlongo outdone himself in the skill of story telling. He excelled in the latter without being contrived or restricted by the intricacies of the Queen's language. I love how in the last story that shares the book title , he unapologetically and effectively uses tsotsi taal and township lingo. The magic with Mhlongo is that he writes like he speaks. His manner of story telling caters for readers and non reading listeners.
In two of his stories "My Father's Eyes" and "Private Dancer Saudade" we witness him as a male author writing as female protagonists. My most favourite stories were " Curiosity Killed A Cat" , "Avalon" ; ' Nailed" " Soweto Under The Apricot Tree" "Every Dog Has Its Day" "My Father's Eyes" and " Whistle Blowers And Vuvuzelas".
If music be the food of love, let it play on in this book like it did in Mhlongo's other books. I enjoyed and loved the music featured in the book. Coupled with classics of Sankomota's "Ramasela" Abdula Ibrahim's 'Mannenberg" " "Jikijela" of Letta Mbulu, and "Mayanka" by Teenage Lovers; it was refreshing and hip for "Sister Bettina" "Xigubu" of DJ Ganyani , and " Khona" by Mafikizolo to be included.
If you have lived in a South African township and or suburb, you will undoubtedly relish and resonate with the contends of the book. Proudly Msanzi and made in kasi, that is how i would label Soweto Under The Apricot Tree . A brilliant read !
February 5, 2023
#SowetoUnderTheApricotTree – Niq Mhlongo
#Kwela (2018)
If the apricot trees in Soweto could tell the stories of all that they have seen and heard, it would be very similar to this anthology of short stories. It tells of everyday life in Soweto; the joy, the longing, the broken dreams, the hope, the love, the conflict and the deaths. The most secret thoughts of the characters are brought to light: western religion, ancestral worship, ancient customs, parenthood, the relationship with animals, the need for sacrifices, the buzz of graveyards, the hidden world of the zamazamas, suicide, gender, superstition, mental illness, soccer, violence, and vuvuzelas.
The author, an accomplished writer well-versed in the nature of humanity with a keen sense of observation, paints the vibrancy of life in Soweto with a large portion of irony, wit, and satire. There is variety in the style of narration, the themes explored and the characters of the protagonists. In ‘My father’s eyes’ a woman’s search for her unknown father is related to the reader in the format of a monologue directed at her mother in hauntingly beautiful prose: ‘You’ve told me that the human heart is the heaviest part of the body when broken, but the lightest when happy.’ (25) The tragedy of mental illnesses leading to homelessness is equally perfectly verbalized in ‘Moving landmark’: ‘Spewed out by us, his own kind, in the township, the man had been adopted by the imaginary world.’ (66)
Satire is delightfully employed in references to ancestors: ‘Some were just useless beings here on earth, but we still believe things changed for them after dying’ (9) and ‘I think as Africans we care more for the dead than we do for the living.’ (102) Gender stereotyping is also described with razor sharp wit: ‘My son, don’t worry when you don’t understand your wife or women in general. That’s because men where asleep when a woman was made by God.’ (13) and A woman’s superiority over men is proved by God giving them uteruses, since ‘Men’s stomachs … are designed to carry useless things such as alcohol and shit.’ (23) One character also intensely distrusts women with short nails, because he believes that such women are ‘…more likely to bully a man in a relationship… Such a women will not think twice before hitting you because she has nothing to lose, as she doesn’t have nails to break.’ (113)
Life wisdom is subtly shared parallel with the satire, such as ‘My son, we all have one foot on the earth and another in the grave. We just don’t know the date.’ (202-203)
Most of the eleven short stories were written whilst the author was Artist in Residence in Cologne in June 2017, and the collection was awarded the Herman Charles Bosman Prize in 2019. It is recommended for lovers of short stories. His 2022 collection ‘For you I’d steal a goat’ was one of my top reads of that year and convinced me to read more of his work. My sincere thanks to the friend who gave me this book as a gift.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Uitdieperdsebek
#Kwela (2018)
If the apricot trees in Soweto could tell the stories of all that they have seen and heard, it would be very similar to this anthology of short stories. It tells of everyday life in Soweto; the joy, the longing, the broken dreams, the hope, the love, the conflict and the deaths. The most secret thoughts of the characters are brought to light: western religion, ancestral worship, ancient customs, parenthood, the relationship with animals, the need for sacrifices, the buzz of graveyards, the hidden world of the zamazamas, suicide, gender, superstition, mental illness, soccer, violence, and vuvuzelas.
The author, an accomplished writer well-versed in the nature of humanity with a keen sense of observation, paints the vibrancy of life in Soweto with a large portion of irony, wit, and satire. There is variety in the style of narration, the themes explored and the characters of the protagonists. In ‘My father’s eyes’ a woman’s search for her unknown father is related to the reader in the format of a monologue directed at her mother in hauntingly beautiful prose: ‘You’ve told me that the human heart is the heaviest part of the body when broken, but the lightest when happy.’ (25) The tragedy of mental illnesses leading to homelessness is equally perfectly verbalized in ‘Moving landmark’: ‘Spewed out by us, his own kind, in the township, the man had been adopted by the imaginary world.’ (66)
Satire is delightfully employed in references to ancestors: ‘Some were just useless beings here on earth, but we still believe things changed for them after dying’ (9) and ‘I think as Africans we care more for the dead than we do for the living.’ (102) Gender stereotyping is also described with razor sharp wit: ‘My son, don’t worry when you don’t understand your wife or women in general. That’s because men where asleep when a woman was made by God.’ (13) and A woman’s superiority over men is proved by God giving them uteruses, since ‘Men’s stomachs … are designed to carry useless things such as alcohol and shit.’ (23) One character also intensely distrusts women with short nails, because he believes that such women are ‘…more likely to bully a man in a relationship… Such a women will not think twice before hitting you because she has nothing to lose, as she doesn’t have nails to break.’ (113)
Life wisdom is subtly shared parallel with the satire, such as ‘My son, we all have one foot on the earth and another in the grave. We just don’t know the date.’ (202-203)
Most of the eleven short stories were written whilst the author was Artist in Residence in Cologne in June 2017, and the collection was awarded the Herman Charles Bosman Prize in 2019. It is recommended for lovers of short stories. His 2022 collection ‘For you I’d steal a goat’ was one of my top reads of that year and convinced me to read more of his work. My sincere thanks to the friend who gave me this book as a gift.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#Uitdieperdsebek
August 10, 2018
I liked how the stories show a glimpse of the lives in South African townships among other places. Some stories looked back at the time of apartheid while others focused on current affairs and the inherent racism that still exists in South Africa. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and the diverse set of characters.
October 21, 2018
I began reading Soweto Under the Apricot Tree by Niq Mhlongo exactly two weeks ago, and I can't say I enjoyed it as much as I had hoped to. I feel cheated by the cover.
Although pretty and colourful, the cover actually sets the tone for the collection of short stories it encloses. Each and every piece, most of which are set in Soweto, with the exception of Turbulence and Curiosity killed the cat - which rather are about people who are from the Southern Western Township and not the place, has a dark undertone, like the background of the book.
Death is a flowing theme in the anthology. The death of a cat, death by poison, death on a plane... If the characters aren't dead they come very close to it. You read about a cheating couple jumping off a balcony, a thief being subjected to mob justice, illegal immigrants hanging from rope.
I enjoy Niq Mhlongo's short stories because he has such firm footing on black township life. You always get a sense of his stories taking shape while he sits in the local shebeen, while burrying a community member at Avalon cemetery, he has a way of bringing you into the story, making you sit next to him and watch it unfold.
I came to know of #Soweto through #Sarafina. The imagine of lines and lines of graves dug out for the victims of #june16. The role Avaloncemetery plays in the #township cannot be missed, it is the setting of a number of the short stories. Niq Mhlongo throws in bits of history that makes Soweto less of an enigma for us who make the occasional trip to the shisanyamas and the historical landmarks and don't get to live in the area. Do you know why there are so many Apricot trees in Soweto?
The collection covers a range of topical issues such as white people speaking on behalf of black people, immigrant labour, the coloured question, traditional healing and medicine, absent fathers, homelessness, morality, unemployment, and the relationship black people have with domestic animals.
A little sombre for my liking, but very close to home.
Although pretty and colourful, the cover actually sets the tone for the collection of short stories it encloses. Each and every piece, most of which are set in Soweto, with the exception of Turbulence and Curiosity killed the cat - which rather are about people who are from the Southern Western Township and not the place, has a dark undertone, like the background of the book.
Death is a flowing theme in the anthology. The death of a cat, death by poison, death on a plane... If the characters aren't dead they come very close to it. You read about a cheating couple jumping off a balcony, a thief being subjected to mob justice, illegal immigrants hanging from rope.
I enjoy Niq Mhlongo's short stories because he has such firm footing on black township life. You always get a sense of his stories taking shape while he sits in the local shebeen, while burrying a community member at Avalon cemetery, he has a way of bringing you into the story, making you sit next to him and watch it unfold.
I came to know of #Soweto through #Sarafina. The imagine of lines and lines of graves dug out for the victims of #june16. The role Avaloncemetery plays in the #township cannot be missed, it is the setting of a number of the short stories. Niq Mhlongo throws in bits of history that makes Soweto less of an enigma for us who make the occasional trip to the shisanyamas and the historical landmarks and don't get to live in the area. Do you know why there are so many Apricot trees in Soweto?
The collection covers a range of topical issues such as white people speaking on behalf of black people, immigrant labour, the coloured question, traditional healing and medicine, absent fathers, homelessness, morality, unemployment, and the relationship black people have with domestic animals.
A little sombre for my liking, but very close to home.
January 4, 2019
Stunning collection of short stories.
It feels like travelling through Soweto.
Each story stands beautifully apart from the rest.
I honestly couldn't stop turning the pages!
It feels like travelling through Soweto.
Each story stands beautifully apart from the rest.
I honestly couldn't stop turning the pages!
September 23, 2025
I expected so much more because this is a talked about collection and I just didn't get what everyone else felt. The stories here were solid but lacked that wow factor, I definitely won't remember most of these a month from now. They felt like the kinds of tales you hear about in a taxi on your way to work.
March 2, 2022
3.5 *
The title of this book made me curious and as it contains short stories set mostly in and around a South African township I gave it a go.
There is a very keen sense of place in the stories; the setting, way of life, culture, traditions and political situation feature in all of them. Cemeteries and funerals and the ritual respect accorded to the dead play a role in many of them whether relating a woman's search for the father her mother never mentions or a politician showing off his new car at a funeral while complaining about the rival party in power.
There's something new in each tale and the effect of apartheid is prevalent in most.
The collection is simple but quite entertaining.
The title of this book made me curious and as it contains short stories set mostly in and around a South African township I gave it a go.
There is a very keen sense of place in the stories; the setting, way of life, culture, traditions and political situation feature in all of them. Cemeteries and funerals and the ritual respect accorded to the dead play a role in many of them whether relating a woman's search for the father her mother never mentions or a politician showing off his new car at a funeral while complaining about the rival party in power.
There's something new in each tale and the effect of apartheid is prevalent in most.
The collection is simple but quite entertaining.
December 12, 2019
Excellent collection of short stories. Evocative and skilful writing. Gives the reader disturbing insight into township/urban life for Black South Africans in current South Africa.
April 27, 2018
I was in SA not long ago and I bought this book before leaving the airport on my way back home, as a kind of souvenir for myself.
The stories made me think over and over again about SA and its cultural diversity, which makes it both a marvelous and complicated country.
Somehow difficult but beautiful stories.
Hopefully one day we'll all be different but equal.
The stories made me think over and over again about SA and its cultural diversity, which makes it both a marvelous and complicated country.
Somehow difficult but beautiful stories.
Hopefully one day we'll all be different but equal.
August 18, 2020
Representation matters!!!
This is not a book review but a personal account.
Niq wrote about my childhood in this book.
I know the streets, the people, the stories, the cemetery, the lives...
He wrote about where I grew up, Tshiawelo (Tshi-Venda for a place of rest).
He wrote about my first school where I did sub A
He wrote about my grandmothers homes that had peach and apricot trees as well as a mini vineyard.
Niq answered so many questions for me and he also brought back fond memories.
This is not a book review but a personal account.
Niq wrote about my childhood in this book.
I know the streets, the people, the stories, the cemetery, the lives...
He wrote about where I grew up, Tshiawelo (Tshi-Venda for a place of rest).
He wrote about my first school where I did sub A
He wrote about my grandmothers homes that had peach and apricot trees as well as a mini vineyard.
Niq answered so many questions for me and he also brought back fond memories.
February 24, 2022
There are some beautiful, heart-rending stories in this collection but I was hoping for something more memorable.
On average, average.
On average, average.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2023
This is the first short story collection that I've read for fun. It was okay. I don't think that there was anything outstanding about any of the stories in this book, but most of them were enjoyable.
My favourite story in this collection was definitely "Turbulence." I also enjoyed "My Father's Eyes", "Curiosity Killed the Cat" and "Roped In".
I feel like many of the stories in "Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree" suffered from a lack of conclusion. It felt like a bulk of them were just incomplete or not properly fleshed out. There also isn't a strong enough golden thread between the individual stories to counter this incompleteness.
Niq consistently included certain motifs in each of his stories - death, Christianity and ancestors and poverty, to name a few. It felt like all of these were explored in the same way, from the same lense. There wasn't enough diversity in the subject matter or, at least, what was being said about the subject matter. Almost all the stories seemed to be about the exact same thing in my opinion.
Would I recommend this? Sure. But mostly for the stories I mentioned by name. The others aren't bad, but they weren't that great either.
My favourite story in this collection was definitely "Turbulence." I also enjoyed "My Father's Eyes", "Curiosity Killed the Cat" and "Roped In".
I feel like many of the stories in "Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree" suffered from a lack of conclusion. It felt like a bulk of them were just incomplete or not properly fleshed out. There also isn't a strong enough golden thread between the individual stories to counter this incompleteness.
Niq consistently included certain motifs in each of his stories - death, Christianity and ancestors and poverty, to name a few. It felt like all of these were explored in the same way, from the same lense. There wasn't enough diversity in the subject matter or, at least, what was being said about the subject matter. Almost all the stories seemed to be about the exact same thing in my opinion.
Would I recommend this? Sure. But mostly for the stories I mentioned by name. The others aren't bad, but they weren't that great either.
July 25, 2018
I picked up this book when i was in Johannesburg - i wanted a South African book, written by a South African about South Africa. I really appreciate that this was what i ended up with. Typically i dont pick up short stories but thinking about how spontaneous i was feeling in the book store i decided to pick up this novel. I would say that this book may have converted me into a believer.
I really enjoyed it. The stories seemed so light but covered very deep themes and topics. They also provided an insight(s) into Soweto, South African societies, and cultures. Some of the themes surrounded abuse, religion, death, racism, politics (!!!), mental health, love, superstitions,precarious workers, and much much more.
I won't bother listing out which stories i enjoyed the most because I really enjoyed a lot of the stories, maybe except one
I really enjoyed it. The stories seemed so light but covered very deep themes and topics. They also provided an insight(s) into Soweto, South African societies, and cultures. Some of the themes surrounded abuse, religion, death, racism, politics (!!!), mental health, love, superstitions,precarious workers, and much much more.
I won't bother listing out which stories i enjoyed the most because I really enjoyed a lot of the stories, maybe except one
March 10, 2024
Soweto Under the Apricot Tree is a collection of 11 short stories by Niq Mhlongo. The book is filled with stories about township life, absent fathers, post-apartheid South Africa, issues of race, politics, mental health issues, illegal mining and many more. Niq Mhlongo tackles issues that are deep and important with a little bit of lightness. We get to see the issues faced by many faces in the township through this short stories.
One thing about this collection that stood out for me has to be the titles of these short stories. You would think it is just a random title until you start reading. My favourite short story though has to be Moving Landmarks and I would recommend everyone reads this collection, It's worth it.
One thing about this collection that stood out for me has to be the titles of these short stories. You would think it is just a random title until you start reading. My favourite short story though has to be Moving Landmarks and I would recommend everyone reads this collection, It's worth it.
January 14, 2020
Picked this up while on holiday in Johannesburg. I found the concept to be provoking, if the tree could share the stories it witnessed, what would it tell? The collection of short stories catalogues the stories navigating an (post) apartheid state, romance, power and class, race and gender. Being only recently published it feels contemporary, dealing with a Zuma government, an economic depression, land re-allocation, etc.
This is my first piece of literature from SA, and I thought it highlighted well the voices and conversations being had at present.
A fairly quick read that is well worth checking out.
This is my first piece of literature from SA, and I thought it highlighted well the voices and conversations being had at present.
A fairly quick read that is well worth checking out.
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May 7, 2023This collection asks the question, if the apricot trees of Soweto could talk, what stories would they tell? And I've come away from this book thinking, I guess they would tell depressing stories. Bleak vignettes with very little hope or silver linings.
The writing has its merits of course, it's descriptive and chatty. But the stories themselves feel very Sunday night television on a local broadcasting channel and maybe that's why people are drawn to them. Definitely not my cup of tea though, perhaps I'll try another offering from this author and see if it sticks. For now, I'm really just bummed out.
P.S This cover is bloody gorgeous.
The writing has its merits of course, it's descriptive and chatty. But the stories themselves feel very Sunday night television on a local broadcasting channel and maybe that's why people are drawn to them. Definitely not my cup of tea though, perhaps I'll try another offering from this author and see if it sticks. For now, I'm really just bummed out.
P.S This cover is bloody gorgeous.
October 5, 2018
There is so much depth to Niq’s book. What a great collection of short stories. Each story offers a look into the lives of black South Africans & how they thrive or try to thrive within a country / system that has historically made this almost impossible.
This book is what I imagine sitting under a tree listening to tales from a diverse group of people with wildly different stories, who have more in common than they might realize.
Heavy themes of race relations, justice/injustice, death, culture and traditions; all woven quite expertly into several compelling stories.
This book is what I imagine sitting under a tree listening to tales from a diverse group of people with wildly different stories, who have more in common than they might realize.
Heavy themes of race relations, justice/injustice, death, culture and traditions; all woven quite expertly into several compelling stories.
December 26, 2018
A fascinating look at lives in Soweto. A rich cast of characters but not quite what I was expecting. This was recommended to me as a little lighter compared to a heavy set of South African literature that I picked up, but it's still fairly grim in parts despite some humour. I have no doubt this is based on the reality of Soweto and township life, from those with the smart cars to the guy living in the park.
I should say that I'm not a huge fan of short stories so that probably influenced my score.
I should say that I'm not a huge fan of short stories so that probably influenced my score.
October 4, 2019
These short stories are particularly poignant. Mhlongo describes aspects of life in South Africa without sugar coating, yet imbues his protagonists with dignity and agency despite the many constraints they face. I often would finish a short story and sit for several moments in silence, reflecting on what I had just read. Soweto, Under the Apricot Tree was an immersive read. Each short story packs a punch!
October 15, 2019
Picked this up in the Johannesburg airport and was delighted by these stories of Soweto. Each one has a twist that seems both inevitable and surprising. While some are set before apartheid and others after, almost all illuminate the lasting impact of South Africa's racist political history on those most disadvantaged by it. Still, these stories sing with hope and longing and regret. Mhlongo is so easily able to make us *feel* something. I couldn't put this one down.
July 11, 2019
Reading this collection of short stories feels like perusing an album of portraiture. The township life is painted with nuance and dignity, with a glimpse of how the political past has shaped the present day. My heart was warmed by the various human characters, the author's humour and his nod to great African musicians. The stories fit perfectly together.
April 12, 2018
I have to say... speechless! I loved the short stories. I am left stumped and impressed !
June 7, 2018
One of my favourite local storytellers at his best. Loved these stories!
July 8, 2018
Loved the short stories, very SA and made me laugh.
March 11, 2019
Loved this beautiful collection of short stories. The author captures township life easily and gives a a glimpse of the simplicity of Soweto and its people. A highly recommended read for everyone.
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June 7, 2019This was a great read. I was not disappointed at all. Niq Mhlongo never disappoints. The characters I read about were just the ordinary people I know. Soweto felt like home.
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January 15, 2020Lovely relateable, sometimes shocking but overall beautiful and beautifully written Joburg stories.
January 24, 2020
Great book..great author
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