Sepedi Proverbs (2004) by Nape 'a Motana, Kwela Books, South Africa, ISBN 0-7957-0185-3, 55 pages. Illustrations by Garth Erasmus REVIEWED BY DORCAS B. MOLEFE

"Sepedi (Northern Sotho) Proverbs" is a collection of proverbs by a South African writer and play director. The author is Nape 'a Motana.

His works include directing plays and script writing. He is highly involved in the development of script writing in the South African film and television industry. The book is a collection of 112 very rich proverbs. Each proverb is written first in Sepedi, then an English translation is given. A statement explaining the proverb is given in English.

The proverbs are arranged alphabetically according to the key word - usually the animal that is used in the proverb in the English translation. They appear under the letters of the alphabet in these numbers. Under alphabet A there are four proverbs; B-14; C-13; D-5; E-4; F-4; G-4; H-4; J-2; K-5; L-5; M-4; N-2; O-1; P- 5; R-4; S-13; T-4; V-4; W-5; Y-4; and Z-2. There are none under letters I, Q, U and X. The illustrations are placed at the beginning of each alphabet section and add a strong visual and enhance memory and retention of the proverbs adding to the proverbs' impact.

The proverbs reflect the experiences and values of people in South Africa in traditional villages. The values are also cross-cultural as they are similar to those of other (Sotho) or Tswana, or Sotho-Tswana groups.

For instance, in Botswana, similar writings have been written by Amos Kgamanyane Pilane, in Botswana Notes and Records on Sekgatla idioms and proverbs. They are also known to relate and are similar to proverbs and idioms among the Basotho.

The book is a valuable addition to the preservation/conservation of the dying but rich traditional Tswana heritage. Their messages having been translated into English and the values they represent can be shared by the global community and a lot of commonality is notable and seen.

The book can be used in teaching African cultures, religious and moral values in a number of fields/disciplines at various levels of education.

Furthermore, the values and teachings grounded in African philosophies of life are reflected through the parallelism and imagery of the animals used in the proverbs.

They are mainly teaching on the socially accepted codes of conduct, with messages on every aspect of life be it love, relationships, economic, political and or cultural. Though written with a focus on Sepedi, many of the values are cross-cultural if not global.

They reflect the teachings that were handed over from one generation to another. Nape's documentation has made these treasures of teachings permanent and accessible to future generations by documenting them in this text.

It is a book that should be read by all for the proverbs are timeless and no know boundary.