Push-push! and other stories

by Sindiwe Magona

A powerful collection of stories by the acclaimed author of Mother to Mother This collection of Sindiwe Magona's short fiction, following the publication to wide acclaim of her novel Mother to Mother, ranges in location from rural Transkei, her homeland, and the black township of Guguletu, where she struggled to raise her children, to New York, where she immigrated. With vivid and perceptive prose, Magona creates memorable characters, both hilarious and tragic, who bring to life the rich and varied backgrounds and cultures of South Africa.

163 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1996

About the author

Sindiwe Magona is a South African writer.

Magona is a native of the former Transkei region. She grew up in Bouvlei near Cape Town, where she worked as a domestic and completed her secondary education by correspondence. Magona later graduated from the University of South Africa and earned her Masters of Science in Organisational Social Work from Columbia University.

She starred as Singisa in the isiXhosa classic drama Ityala Lamawele.

She worked in various capacities for the United Nations for over 20 years, retiring in 2003.

In the 2013 computer-animated adventure comedy film Khumba she was the voice actor for the character Gemsbok Healer.

She is Writer-in-Residence at the University of the Western Cape and has been a visiting Professor working at Georgia State University.

Reviews

[Maniki_021 · Rating 4 out of 5]

My faves were :

a drowning in Cala
Push Push very relatable
Comrade heal yourself, Masondo didn't deserve to die that way
a peaceful exit
the hand that kills
the sacrificial lamb

Somethings that were said that i liked :

"ndixeleleni bethuna uphi umtwana wam","niziqheshise ngomtyholi","ungaze ubhalise imali yakho nge gama lendoda", "Tyini tata ka Fezeka","had drunk the white mans poison that kills Africa's seed"
"umzimba lo wam ingathi uxholwa ziinaliti","mna kuphela eyam intlungu yeyenyama"
"blek blek mampatile"

Definitely recommend it if you’re looking to get out of a slump or just want something laid-back.

[Tiah]

A sharp eye, wise and unrelenting. She holds no punches.