Mmba Mama - An Infinite Kiss from the Child of My Heart by Phindiwe Nkosi

"Mmba Mama" is a compilation of real stories about love. It contains twenty different human experiences in life and love in particular. The types of relationships are varied and they are stories generally from South Africa. Titles include 'Allow me to Mourn', 'Love Refused to Let me Go', 'To Live Or Not to Live', Call her Morning' and 'Beautiful Mommy'. They all have one thing in common: they are stories of people who love and are being loved. I am particularly drawn to the first story, 'Allow me to Mourn', which is that of a mother whose adopted son committed suicide. It is amazing how she finds love in her heart under her circumstances.

'Lyrical' and 'moving' were the words that came to my mind when I finished reading the novel "Mmba Mama". Phindive Nkosi is a gifted South African writer with a melodious pen and a sensitive heart. In this book, she attempts to compile stories of love around her. What is amazing is how love surfaces in the most unlikely circumstances. These narratives attest to the beautiful fact that love is everywhere and that true love can exist between people who may not be related to each other. By focusing on these stories, the author seems to remind the reader that we do live in a beautiful world that is full of love. It is just fitting that the style of the writer is poetic and lyrical. She writes in the first person singular and this has the effect of listening to a friend telling you her own intimate story, which is at times joyful and at times painful.