IT IS ironic that a number of literary pundits in the country have been lamenting what they believe is the current dearth of true literary creativity, especially among black women writers in the country

Such pessimists must get a copy of this book pronto and go into raptures!

Not that South Africa has not produced enough international class - or even world class - creative black woman writers over the decades. The list includes Miriam Tlali, Lauretta Ngcobo, Sindiwe Magona and Zoe Wicomb. From nearby Zimbabwe we might also mention Tsitsi Dangarembga and Yvonne Vera.

Now NMM Duman can be mentioned in the same breath as these greats. This is no exaggeration.

The author of this book, Deepest Springs, is an awesome literary talent.

This book might well be the greatest ever love story penned by any African, never mind South African, black female writer.

The illustrious African creative writer, Omoseye Bolaji, who wrote the foreword, declares that Deepest Springs is the equivalent of classics produced by the all-time great Bronte sisters, Charlotte and Emily, a love story firmly rooted in the African, nay South African soil - and culture.

I will not disagree with this. But I might as well add that the main protagonist of Deepest Springs, Dikeledi the African lass, is different from Jane Eyre (of Charlotte Bronte).

While Jane, especially as a child, comes across as not having the best of characters, Dikeledi is a decent, quiet, wonderful young African lady! The type of woman every man would dream of having as a partner. Her virtues are endless - not to speak of her long-suffering nature.

Indeed, one could have been moved to declare that Dikeledi is too good to be true; but then, again, we are confronted with the brilliant writing skills, the deft characterisation and imagination of the author who ensures that Dikeledi not only comes very much to life, but we can more or less see her, touch her and appreciate her!

We also appreciate the glimpses of migrant labourers in those days of apartheid, how women were - and arguably even now - are on their own many times, being the breadwinners, the pillars of their family; while the man is painfully absent.

In Deepest Springs Dikeledi is literally put through the wringer for years!

Many black women in this country will testify to as much, especially in the light of the hostility, disdain and tortures many of them apparently experience from their in-laws.

Certainly Dikeledi is abused abominably in this brilliant work - physically and emotionally -- even for her alleged barrenness!

It is easy enough to descend into clichés, and describe the author as "a born writer".

But this does not do her justice.

The simple truth, on the evidence of Deepest Springs, is that she is one of the best creative black writers in the whole world.

A sterling pride to South Africa!