Letters from Wankie: A Place in Colonial Africa
Patricia Friedberg, 2013
Rainbow Books
260 pp.
ISBN-13: 9781568251653
Summary
Letters from Wankie is a unique true story based on the collection of some 500 air letters the author, British-born Patricia Friedberg, wrote home to England in the mid-1950s during the first two years of her marriage to her South African physician husband. Together the newlyweds moved to the remote mining town of Wankie in the far northwest corner of Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where he was employed as a colliery doctor.
More than 50 years later, after her mother passed away, Patricia found among her mother's papers the bundle of air letters she had written home, neatly tied and safely stored. Reading through the collection it was evident the letters contained an incredible historical account if life during the colonial years as seen through the eyes and writings of a young woman twenty years of age who was unbelievably even to herself, employed as Clerk of Court at the Native Commissioners Office.
Despite the enormous cultural differences the young Londoner faced, the challenging and often shocking exposure to tribal practices and native law, she carried on overcoming obstacles with spunk and grit and a saving sense of humor. (From the publisher.)
Author Bio
• Birth—May 4, 1934
• Where—London, England, UK
• Education—London School of Journalism; Marquette University (USA)
• Currently—lives in Bradenton, Flordia, USA, and London, England
Patricia Fridberg was born in London, attended The Henrietta Barnett School and continued her studies at The London School of Journalism. At nineteen she married a South African doctor furthering his studies in London and immediately following the wedding, the young couple left for Southern Africa and the then, Rhodesias, both North and South, first to Wankie, renamed Hwange and later in Salisbury, renamed aafter independence Harare, Zimbabwe.
While living in Wankie, Rhodesia she worked as Clerk of the Court in the Office of the Native Commissioner where she dealt with tribal and European law. The Friedbergs briefly returned to England where their first child was born, before relocating in Africa in the city of Salisbury (Harare) in Rhodesia where Patricia wrote for the local newspaper and joined the newly formed TV station RTV (Rhodesian Television).
Her experiences as Clerk of the Court in Hwange allowed her to travel freely into the rural/bush taking along a photographer. From those interviews she produced a number of Tribal Documentaries and wrote articles for the Rhodesian Herald.
Political unrest intensified in Rhodesia and for the safety of their children the family reluctantly left to settle in the United States, first in Baltimore, and then in Milwaukee. In the years that followed she travelled extensively with her husband, a Professor of Cardiology, who lectured in major cities in Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.
Patricia attended a playwriting course at Marquette University where her first play, "Masquerade" won the playwriter’s award.
She was moderator at WMTJ TV (NBC affiliate) Milwaukee’s, then weekly show, "People of the Book” and interviewed major celebrities, politicians, including the Israeli ambassador, Golda Meir, U.N. representatives and various personalities in the fields of art and music.
In Florida Patricia wrote for the Longboat Observer, became a collector of art and held monthly Salons for writers and artists. Her thoughts often returning to the African years, she wrote the film script "Journey from the Jacarandas" a feature film which began filming in Zimbabwe but was interrupted and unfinished due to civil disobedience and government sanctions.
Beginning with her novel 21 Aldgate and the recently released memoir Letters from Wankie, she is now completing the trilogy with Journey From the Jacarandas.
Book Reviews
A gorgeous, touching, tragic tale of a lost—but now, thanks to Patricia Friedberg—never forgotten time in a remote corner of colonial Africa.
Douglas Rogers - New York Times journalist and author, The Last Resort: A Memoir of Zimbabwe.
[A] delightful account of a plucky young woman who takes things as they come and makes the best of them. She effectively uses the device of letters to home.... Patricia's "voice" made me smile all through her account...like listening to a charming tale told by a good friend...a friend you have known forever. Well done!
Georgia Court -owner, Bookstore 1 (Sarasota, Florida)
What an adventure! I loved this book! I could not stop reading this honestly portrayed, exhilarating account...filled with humour and astute wry observations, this is a delightful trip into the past. A valuable slice of history that documents an era now washed away, an insight into a country which once was the jewel of Africa, and is now in ruins.
Paul Williams, Ph.D. - author of Soldier Blue
An inspiring—and most satisfying read.
Joan Kufrin - author, Uncommon Women and Leo Burnett, Star-Reacher
[M]ental scenery that is thought-provoking, instructs and entertains. Exceedingly well done and a pleasure to read.
Marilyn Pincus - author, ghostwriter and member of the Authors Guild
To a Wankie Lass from a Wankie Lass... I was so excited when James Archibald, a Wankie lad who introduced me to your book. He told me he had been in touch with you and that you are keen to hear from other Wankie folk about their thoughts on your book.... well here are mine.... I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!
Franky Rumbold - editor, Wankie Friends Newletter
As a traveller myself, seeing what the world has to offer, your trip to Wankie, a million miles from London's East End, and 21 Aldgate, must have made you feel like Livingstone himself: the flies, mosquitos, the chickens, snakes, elephants and (my favourite) the warthogs, what an adventure. When we are young we do not know what life will throw at us, we do not know the journeys we will take. Take this road or that road and who knows how things will be and what effect it has on us, the Egyptians say "your life is written in the sand" so as we watch the sands of time flow through the egg timer of life we can only think of the paths and roads we take. Thank you for taking me on your journey through Letters From Wankie. Mick Blunt - Maltby, South Yorkshire, England
Patricia Friedberg lived through World War II and the war in Rhodesia, and strongly believes we should think before deciding war is the only answer to far-off conflicts. Friedberg has recently completed a memoir titled Letters from Wankie: A Place in Colonial Africa. Based on letters she’d written to her parents, the book chronicles Friedberg’s experiences while living in Rhodesia.... History can come alive when viewed through the eyes of people who experienced it. Patricia Friedberg’s books are proof of this, helping readers to relive the past and, hopefully, learn from it.
Jackie Minetti - St. Pete Beach Island Reporter (Florida)
Letters From Wankie is the charming and insightful true story of a young London bride's first two years of marriage in the mid-50's, spent as Clerk of the Court in the colonial town of Wankie, Rhodesia,
Patricia Kawaja - editor, Florida Page
Discussion Questions
1. As a young Londoner in a foreign country what aspect of her new environment does the author first find most intriguing? difficult? surprising?
2. How does the author examine the economics, culture, traditions, politics, language and customs of the inhabitants of the region?
3. What is risked in her admiring and/or her criticism of the people in this region of Africa?
4. What is it about the author that allows her to assimilate? What does she gain?
5. What did you find most intriguing about the native culture? the colonial culture?
6. What evidence does the author use to support the books ideas? What did you find most surprising, intriguing or difficult to understand?
7. What are the implications for the future regarding the issues raised? Are they positive or negative? Affirming or frightening?
8. How controversial are the issues raised? Who is aligned on which sides of the issues? Where do you fall in the line-up?
9. What solution does the author propose? Who would implement the solutions? How probable is success?
10. What specific passage in the book struck you as most significant, or interesting, profound, amusing, illuminating, disturbing, sad? What was most memorable?
(Questions adapted from LitLovers' Generic Questions...and issued by publisher.)
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