• Tell us more about you?
I am Temitope Komolafe, a student of Medicine and Surgery in University of Ibadan. I am a very spiritual person and I believe God is and should be the integral factor in life. I write and specialize in screenwriting. I love reading and am very open to learning from everything because I have come to discover that the more we know, the more we discover how much we don’t know
• How long have you been writing for?
I have been writing for roughly 5 years now
• What was the first thing you thought of when you saw the ad for the contest?
Amidst the global menace experienced in 2020, I had a personal blow that really hit me below the belt. That incident made me quit a lot of productive things I was engaged in, including writing and I was just within few months of coming out of that dark hole when I saw the ad for the Poet Laureate contest. I saw an opportunity in the ad. It was a step towards getting my voice and stance back through an introspective process and there couldn’t have been a better theme than SANKOFA.
• What does Sankofa mean to you?
Sankofa depicts a journey of growth to me. This growth is one that encompasses all spheres; historical, cultural, mental, spiritual, career, to name a few.
I see it as an evolving process that stems from both retrospection and introspection and is aimed towards bringing about a more broad and better view to life.
• Tell us about your entry.
My entry; Of Lovesongs-Turn-Heartbreaks was in the short story (non-fiction) category.
It centers on a journey from naivety and inferiority complex to self discovery and belief in oneself.
The climax was reached after a period of pause to understand and review how and when things went wrong because indeed it is not a taboo to fetch what was left behind or misplaced.
• Did you have any challenges in writing your piece?
I had no challenge during my writing process.
• What is the future of literature in Africa?
I think literature in Africa will in the future resonate more of our history and the integral issues in our continent.
We are people of diverse cultures and we continue to seek ways to integrate that in our creativity.
I have no doubt of African literature transcending all limits.
• What does being a tribesman mean to you, and how do you think being part of a community will influence African literature?
Being a tribesman instills in me a sense of familial belonging to an organization so inspiring and proactive in showcasing African talents. It is a privilege I’ll be forever grateful for.
TVO tribe is a platform that not only proclaims but also projects Africa for Africans and this stance alone breeds an inspiration to African creatives and undoubtedly validates our literature.
• Sound bite, anyone?
“Everyone has a history and that alone deserves some tolerance”