A letter to Silverling Inspired (Ref: “In the Shadow of the Tokolosh”)
Hi Silverling Inspired,
Thank you very much for publishing "In the Shadow of the Tokolosh". I read it last week and could not put it down until I had finished it. Sadly, the end leaves so many questions unanswered and they have been gnawing at me ever since. Hence the email. I understand the need for a few creative discretions licence but is this the whole story?
Assuming that Wrex is based on the original author, we know that his story doesn't end there and I am curious know what happened between then and 1999 and further on until 2008. What happens to Chips and the girls, Johan & Leo, Jacob (SP49)? What about his ageing buddies in Harare and Bulawayo?
Maybe I am reading too much in this as it is ultimately a story but it has really piqued my interest. Any assistance or insight that you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
Yours Sincerely,
*************
Dear ************* ,
Thank you so much for your email. Its great to receive questions with such interest. I have worked very closely on this project for many years and asked the question about the author many times myself.
With regards to who wrote this book, and his relation to Wrex, I believe there are two conclusions that are possible. Either this was written by a friend, which is indeed referred to in “A time for all Seasons”, but I think this is unlikely because of the intimate detail bestowed on the character. Or it was actually written by Wrex, under a pseudonym, and he viewed his ultimate death as a metaphor for the death of Rhodesia.
What happened from 1972 in this man’s life (should he have actually lived) can only be guessed but it is true to say that most Rhodesians either tried to stick it out through the war and through the early years of Mugabe’s regime or tried to leave to build new lives, especially in South Africa. From 1972 it got harder and more vicious and perhaps the author couldn’t face this part of his struggle and that is why he ended the story where he did. I have no doubt that his family and friends did exist and that they suffered through many more years of hardship as a result of the bitter bush war but who can tell how he ended up a fallen man outside a Johannesburg bus station. Like all of his brothers that he saw trying to get by, he no doubt befell the same fate.
As for Bigfoot and SP49, I believe from my research that the author is referring to actual men that fought in the guerilla armies of the time – especially Bigfoot. There was an incident on a farm on the Zambezi escarpment in the 1970s and an Operation called Hurricane. A little research around this area should give you some answers.
Rhodesians were never able to accept Britain’s swift withdrawal from the country. There was no support given to the servicemen and they were just left to fight through the chaos. I am Rhodesian myself. Though too young at the time to understand what was going on, I still feel anger about what happened there.
I hope I have answered a few of your questions. Rhodesia had its faults but was a fine country in so many ways. There are some fantastic books out there about the subject. I hope this will have piqued your interest even more.
Thank you and kindest regards
Silverling Inspired
Publisher of "In the Shadow of the Tokolosh"
www.silverlinginspired.co.uk
Thank you very much for publishing "In the Shadow of the Tokolosh". I read it last week and could not put it down until I had finished it. Sadly, the end leaves so many questions unanswered and they have been gnawing at me ever since. Hence the email. I understand the need for a few creative discretions licence but is this the whole story?
Assuming that Wrex is based on the original author, we know that his story doesn't end there and I am curious know what happened between then and 1999 and further on until 2008. What happens to Chips and the girls, Johan & Leo, Jacob (SP49)? What about his ageing buddies in Harare and Bulawayo?
Maybe I am reading too much in this as it is ultimately a story but it has really piqued my interest. Any assistance or insight that you could offer would be greatly appreciated.
Yours Sincerely,
*************
Dear ************* ,
Thank you so much for your email. Its great to receive questions with such interest. I have worked very closely on this project for many years and asked the question about the author many times myself.
With regards to who wrote this book, and his relation to Wrex, I believe there are two conclusions that are possible. Either this was written by a friend, which is indeed referred to in “A time for all Seasons”, but I think this is unlikely because of the intimate detail bestowed on the character. Or it was actually written by Wrex, under a pseudonym, and he viewed his ultimate death as a metaphor for the death of Rhodesia.
What happened from 1972 in this man’s life (should he have actually lived) can only be guessed but it is true to say that most Rhodesians either tried to stick it out through the war and through the early years of Mugabe’s regime or tried to leave to build new lives, especially in South Africa. From 1972 it got harder and more vicious and perhaps the author couldn’t face this part of his struggle and that is why he ended the story where he did. I have no doubt that his family and friends did exist and that they suffered through many more years of hardship as a result of the bitter bush war but who can tell how he ended up a fallen man outside a Johannesburg bus station. Like all of his brothers that he saw trying to get by, he no doubt befell the same fate.
As for Bigfoot and SP49, I believe from my research that the author is referring to actual men that fought in the guerilla armies of the time – especially Bigfoot. There was an incident on a farm on the Zambezi escarpment in the 1970s and an Operation called Hurricane. A little research around this area should give you some answers.
Rhodesians were never able to accept Britain’s swift withdrawal from the country. There was no support given to the servicemen and they were just left to fight through the chaos. I am Rhodesian myself. Though too young at the time to understand what was going on, I still feel anger about what happened there.
I hope I have answered a few of your questions. Rhodesia had its faults but was a fine country in so many ways. There are some fantastic books out there about the subject. I hope this will have piqued your interest even more.
Thank you and kindest regards
Silverling Inspired
Publisher of "In the Shadow of the Tokolosh"
www.silverlinginspired.co.uk
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