Thirteen Cents, written by K. SELLO DUIKER at twenty-six, is a story unapologetically undraped on matters of sex, sexuality, hurdles of street life and violent crimes in the dawn of post-apartheid South Africa. Do not attempt turning the cover of this book if you sulk at dirty and raunchy over-narrations or if your religious beliefs are easily peeved at graphic recitals of unconventional intimacies. The story themed around marginalization, abuse and exploitation of youths in South Africa’s fledgling democracy, is apropos to struggling third-world economies, with its spotlight on the downtrodden majority and those living on the edges of our deeply moneyed, stereotyped, propertied and hugely sexualized society.
Shaun Viljoen, a South African professor, commented that the central character—“Azure’s position as a twelve year old who turns thirteen in the novel situates him on the threshold of the world of adults and subjects him to the rites of passage that induct him into the particular forms of adulthood”.
For his age, Duiker, admitted to have in part been shaped by Ayi Kwei Armah’s ‘Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born’, was simply a genius for his daring deft exploration of adult themes of uncustomary sex, exploitation and the burdens society heaves on the marginalized and other sundry lives and expressions. Tragically, Duiker took his own life at the age of thirty, about a month after the passing of his friend and fellow writer Phaswane Mpe. I recommend its read!
Favorite quote:
“Money is complicated. It’s like people. It keeps changing. Sometimes it’s your friend, sometimes it’s your enemy. Don’t trust money too much. It always lets you down in the end.” [page 114]