Journey to Ithaca: A Personal Memoir is a book one needs to read to lift your spirit if you feel you are down
By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor
This is a story that inspires. This is a kind of story that will make even the most pessimistic among us about how impossible it is to change our precarious situations that we may find ourselves in, to believe that change is possible. I mean who would ever would have though that a tragedy that befell this author at the age of five, would not constrain his potential to contribute positively to society.
However,William Roland, rendered blind by a bullet while at Ithaca mansions in Sea Point, Cape Town, has through this memoir managed to drive home the point that despite one’s difficult circumstances, with single determination, purpose and focus, it is possible to turn your life around. Well, he has done that, and in fact done more than many who are sighted.
In short well-articulated chapters, William’s writing is beautiful, and captures with dignity the story of his life, from what to most would have been an impossible attempt to thrive being blind, to actually showing the light even to those who are fully sighted through telling his life story.
This is the kind of book one should read, especially if you in in that moment where you feel a heavy load weighing you down due to your current difficult circumstances. This book is emancipatory at several levels. He of course does not shy away from telling the challenges he faced, just as he does not shy from celebrating his achievements with humility.
And achievements he has many, such as earning three degrees from the University of South Africa, and a doctorate in social sciences from the University of Cape Town, serving for several years as Executive director of the South African National council for the blind, Chairperson of the Disabled People of South Africa and president of the World blind Union among other leadership positions in society, that also includes being on the Council of University of Johannesburg.
His literary achievements are also something to note as he has penned several scholarly, cultural and literary publications that include books for children.
Therefore, Journey to Ithaca: A Personal Memoir is a book that one should have on their book shelves and which one should read, especially when faced with a personal challenge in life. It might be that book that you need to lift your spirit.
Journey to Ithaca: A Personal Memoir is published by UJ Press.