We’re very proud of Flowstar Roela Hattingh. In addition to being a writer extraordinaire and strategist at Flow, she recently launched Kamee, her first book.
The launch at Upstairs@Bamboo in Melville, took place alongside her husband Flip Hattingh’s art exhibition titled Oumensvissie (a direct translation would be old-person fish), which deals with the process of growing old.
Kamee, which means cameo, is a collection of Afrikaans short stories that revolve around themes such as loss, estrangement, love and desire, revenge and the human condition.
According to the South African Pocket Oxford Dictionary a cameo refers to "a piece of jewellery consisting of a carving of a head shown in outline against a differently coloured background; a short descriptive written sketch; a small part in a play or film for a well-known actor".
Roela says: "The short stories depict cameos of varied characters; moments in their lives. I use it as a way to preserve the memory and suffering and brokenness of us humans.
"The making of a cameo has to do with taking bits out that do not belong to the image. In a way the crafting of a book or a story is the same hard process. It is also a little bit like a sickness, like cancer in a way, as it takes over aspects of oneself.
"I get rid of myself when I write a story."
She’s already started working on a number of new things, including a novel titled When a Boy Comes to Visit, a drama for the RSG radio-drama competition and a book with 10 children’s stories featuring characters that find it hard to fit in.
“The launch was a fabulous affair. Firstly for the context and juxtapositioning of Flip's artwork that shifts the paradigm of what is art, what is ageing and what makes us human. Secondly for the richness of a room full of family and friends (and Flowstars), the opulence of a table laden with mostly home-baked bread and delicious spreads, and thirdly for the energy and words spoken by Kevin Collins and Deborah Steinmair.
I am truly blessed,” she adds.
Well done, Roela! We hope you never lose your fire and continue to bless our shelves with many more books.
