For nearly a decade, one man has been working on an epic project that has the potential redefine how the world sees our country and our continent. This project has finally culminated in an amazing, entirely locally produced, graphic novel, but it needs your support if it is to continue. Click through for an inspiring sneak peak and to learn how you can help.

MA – An African Epic, is the first of a trilogy which tells the African tale of Creation and is based on the highly-acclaimed African book, “Indaba, My Children” by Credo Vusamazulu Mutwa. For years these stories were the exclusive privilege of the African people, but thanks to one man and his relentless pursuit of his vision we all could share in the wealth of cultural knowledge they offer.

For the past eight years I have been working on a project, that I believe has the potential to reshape the way we see the world, and ultimately play a role in increasing Third World Literacy.

I’ve realised of course, that I can’t do it alone anymore, and now need your help.

Those are the words of Mark “Buzzy” McKeown, the man who will ultimately be responsible for bringing MA to the people, a story he believes is “the story from which all other stories told since, find root. What the Book of Genesis is to Christians, this story was to the Ancient Africans.” Together with Andre Human, an exceptionally talented local illustrator, he is retelling an awe-inspiring African tale in graphic medium.

Our first story comes from the acclaimed African book – Indaba, My Children. ‘Indaba’ simply means – listen. Indaba, My Children was written in 1964, by the great Zulu Sanusi (Shaman) – Credo Vusamazulu Mutwa. ‘Vusamazulu’ is a title he was given at his initiation, meaning ‘Awakener of the People’. Credo Mutwa, is the High Witchdoctor and Knowledge-Keeper of the Zulus, and belongs to an ancient chain of Sanusis. It is a Sanusi’s duty to pass down orally, to their first-born son, the profound knowledge of their ancestors.

But when his son was murdered, and thus, the link in the chain of knowledge had been broken, he was determined not to let this profound ancient wisdom die with him, and so he wrote Indaba, My Children. In so doing, he broke a sacred oath, and betrayed his lineage, becoming an outcast to many of his people. Although he has long since fallen into obscurity,  the book he has left behind, has been hailed as one of the most iconic African works ever written.

When I first read this book eight years ago, something inside me simply ‘clicked’. I felt oddly compelled to firstly, meet this extraordinary man, and secondly, get his permission to bring these ancient stories back to life. Easier said than done… but I did it.

The first chapter of the graphic novel has been published online and I urge you to take a look. The superb story-telling and artwork put this project in a league of its own, and it’s only a hint of what’s to come. The story is set to change the way people look at South Africa and Africa and how Africans are perceived. Ultimately, it could play a large role in promoting and improving third world literacy. This however, is where you come into the picture. The creative duo have now reached the halfway point of their first venture and they need us to help them the rest of the way. Their funding has been stretched to its limits and they are humbly requesting any assistance we can offer.

They have set up a donation page on Indiegogo where you can make contributions of any size. If you, like them, are strapped for cash go check out their Facebook page and their website. Like them and share them, create some noise. We all have at least one friend with deep pockets, this is the time to call on them. If ever there has been a cause to get behind this is it. I’ve made my contributions, both in promoting the tale and financially, let’s see  yours.

[Source: Indiegogo, Vusamazulu, DeviantArt, Facebook, YouTube]