Song of the Slave Girl

by Ashraf Kagee

Set during the years of slavery in the Cape Colony, Song of the Slave Girl is a spellbinding tale of love and resistance. Meraj and Djameela, two young slaves, are bound by a powerful love and when Djameela is sold to a farmer, Meraj is consumed by grief. Djameela fends off the advances of her new master’s son and plots her escape. Desperate to reunite, the lovers take bold steps to find each other.

Song of the Slave Girl explores the boundaries of love and freedom. Will love triumph, or will the lovers’ fight for freedom come at too great a cost?

223 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2025

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and tragic love story about Meraj, 17, and Djameela, 16, set in the Cape Colony three centuries ago.

Set against a traumatic South African historical backdrop, Ashraf foregrounds historical events set off by colonialism and coloniality, but they do not take centre stage. SONG OF THE SLAVE GIRL is about the human condition. In war and peace, in lean times and times of plenty, lives go on. People work within those limitations to create lives fuelled by hope, peace, love, and community. Propelled by dreams of being and having better.

I loved the story, and as I turned the pages, I hoped for more, and I was satiated.

A satisfactory read, indeed. I always found the phrase "A satisfactory read" a bit wanting. A bit unsatisfying, but until you encounter "A satisfactory read," you too will be at pains to understand its meaning. It's a feeling.

PS: Every one of us needs a Salome. Find yourself a Salome, ka kopo hle!

[Jamila Cassim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing read.
The book started off well. In an attempt to explore themes of exploitation, abuse and the supernatural the author fell short in delivering a profound novel. The characters were not deeply explored, too much information was brought in that read more like an historical account of slavery during the time rather than a carefully executed fable of love against the backdrop of slavery. Also the love between Meeraj and his love interest Djameela was not grounded in realism. It unfortunately read more like a fantasy of love explored through the mind

[Fiction Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book illustrates how the system of slavery determines Djameela and Meraj placement in the world. But it also shows us how that placement influences the decisions they are able to make for themselves.

For me this book shows how agency occurs in every day experiences. It shows how even when a people are oppressed, we find ways to live on our own terms.

The love story between them becomes a device of their agency. It left me with a deep longing for them to find resolution but understanding that their story was never going to end like they wanted it to.

I loved this book!

[Christi Sa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an important book.
I made a podcast about it:
If you want to hear what resonated in me, tune in to:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ubL...

or on applepodcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast...


Then, don't hesitate to let me know what you think about what I say here...

X Christi

[Regan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one fell flat for me, which is unfortunate. There was a lack of cohesion in the narrative, and it feels as if the entire book was based off of the last two chapters and just walked back.
Kagee has written great characters in his other work, so it’s unfortunate that Meraj and Djameela were so underwhelming