Simon Mol

Journeys of a journalist

By Velina Nacheva - Sofia Echo, Bulgaria

CAMEROONIAN Simon Mol has an eye for ordinary things, which led him to see resemblances between his native country and the beauty of Sofia. Bulgaria's capital city reminds him of his hometown Buea, which was the capital of Cameroon under French rule. "Buea is the most beautiful place in the whole world," said Mol who is a journalist, writer and poet.

GODDESS OF MOUNT AFRICA

The Hoping Game – “Bogini z Mount Africa” Moleke Mo-Njie

A Review by Andrew Fincham

Foreigners are different – otherwise they could not be foreign. Foreigners have different cultures, histories, traditions and languages. Most importantly, they have a heritage that is tied to a different land from our own. From such differences arises distinction – arousing appreciation and interest amongst those with intelligence, and fear and hostility in the ignorant.

In a foreign land, the first problem is often communication. Even one’s name can prove to be a stumbling block.

On finding a voice, there arises the question of what to say.

And on speaking, the uncertainty of whether one has been understood.

Much the same pattern applies to the artist - and the poet in particular.

Goddess of Mount Africa - A Forward by Rachel Billington

I first met Simon Mol in 1999. We were both taking part in the International PEN Writers’ Conference. I was President of English PEN and Simon was part of the Ghanaian delegation. Simon showed me some of his poetry and we talked about rhyme and words and religion. I noticed that he was reserved and didn’t take part in many of the conference’s festivities. I put this down to his nature and only gradually became aware that Simon was facing a huge upheaval in his life.