IN MANY ways, artist and activist Beauty Boois’ upcoming debut as an author is an inevitable incarnation.
Following in the footsteps of their late father after a childhood filled with the books their mother would gift her children at every occasion, there came a time when Boois’ love of literature transcended into the desire to write their own stories.
Boois’ first novel from a literary store already teeming with the poetry they have performed in Namibia and Cambodia is ‘|Namgu’s Escape Theory’ (2020) a young adult novel with a Khoekhoegowab speaking heroine forthcoming from Unam Press.
‘|Namgu’s Escape Theory’ is a coming of age story about self-exploration, transcending and overcoming trauma and a rollercoaster of a healing journey experienced by the main character, |Namgu,” says Boois of the book which centres on a privileged young girl struggling to find her place in the world after tragedy strikes.
“It was important for me to frame |Namgu as she is because I have barely read any books where the main character is a Khoekhoegowab speaker who has a complex personality and philosophical mind.”
Exploring themes of mental illness, social nonconformity, sexuality, healing and existentialism, ‘|Namgu’s Escape Theory’ was inspired by various things Boois has observed in Namibian society, the lessons they have learnt in their travels as well as some heavily embellished personal experiences.
“Having read Steve Biko’s ‘I Write What I Like’ at a very young age with my father, I became inspired and learned the importance of storytelling from one’s own perspective,” says Boois who writes as an exercise in clarity, an exploration of imagination and a form of catharsis.
Boois’ writing has previously been published in Elephant Journal and Monochrome Magazine. Their non-fiction reflections on feminism and womxn’s rights have also appeared in The Namibian and African Feminism.
“My main motivation for writing is because it is a form of self-expression that I find extremely healing and therapeutic. It has continuously facilitated my personal healing journey,” says Boois who has crafted a story aimed at challenging Namibia’s taboos about mental health, identity and sexuality.
“A secondary hope for my writing is to share that healing journey with whoever is open to receiving it.”
Boois’ story of a girl struggling with anger, depression and loneliness as she makes her way through school, university and psychotherapy is a coming of age story not often told in a country where mental health is largely shrouded in a silencing veil of secrecy, shame and neglect and its constructive effect is already highly anticipated.
“This book will have a major positive impact on the lives of many people, especially students or teenagers who have the same fears as |Namgu,” says University of Namibia student councillor Nyomonee Tjihukununa.
“|Namgu as a character is the lost soul trying to find her way that exists within all of us. She represents the inner strength that we all possess to overcome all trauma,” says Boois who recommends the novel to a wide range of readers.
“Anybody grappling with or interested in issues affecting their social, mental health and sexuality or who has proximity to someone in that position should read this book. ‘|Namgu’s Escape Theory’ explores these areas from various perspectives and fiction can teach us so much about reality.”
A dream come true for Boois who has already received a glowing review from New York Times bestselling author Katie Crouch who called their writing “superb”, “topical” and a “fresh new voice”, ‘|Namgu’s Escape Theory’ will be available in local book stores later this year.
“My hope was to be a published author and that’s enough for me,” says Boois of their literary ambitions.
“I’m proud of myself, this accomplishment and what it means for the literary community in Namibia. I hope that it gets more of us reading and creating more local content.”
About the Author
Beauty Boois is an activist, wellness counsellor, writer, performance artist, yoga teacher, entrepreneur and blogger. They hold an honours degree in clinical psychology as well as qualifications in marketing management, yoga psychology and teaching English. Follow Unam Press and Beauty Boois on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for more information.
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram;
marthamukaiwa.com
