Speaking with The Point in an exclusive interview, the young author expressed utmost elation and happiness in receiving the award; an award desired by many of his fellow writers, but which he has fortunately emerged to win just few months into his career.
Babucarr Bless Jobe is a new entrant into the literary arena of the country. His name was entrenched into the Gambian literary scene with the launching of his book, Rights and Beyond, about two months ago at the Ebunjan Theater in Kanifing.
The young Gambian author expressed satisfaction over how fast developing Gambian literature is, which had been very weak over the past years and decades, saying that there has been enormous changes in every facet of literature.
“There has been young, emerging writers nowadays, which is quite extraordinary and promising. There have been significant award ceremonies to recognise and appreciate the young talented ones. This serves as a motivation.”
“There has been support, especially on the moral aspect. People advertising and recognising what you are doing. For example, I normally saw my name everywhere in the country and that gives me an extra energy.”
He added that all these aforementioned ingredients were absent before and that emerging writers like him are lucky to be part of the new generation of Gambian literature.
“My advice to young writers is that we have a massive opportunity to change things around and change perceptions as well. There is lot of grounds to be covered especially when you compare Gambian literature with that of other countries. We need to work hard and make a career. We also need to develop strong mental fortitude, good foresight and take care of plagiarism.”
“There is also a lot of obstacles along the way but as youths, we have to understand that trial and tribulation are just normal in life and that we have to deal with. As for me, issues like lack of support don’t even bother me but rather make me stronger. I don’t get worried about worries because I have passed that stage of being worried.
Babucarr told The Point that he is working on cementing his writing career to become one of Gambia’s most prolific authors of modern times. He made it obviously clear that he wants to achieve greatness and this is just the tip of the iceberg. His stance is that he is on an ‘unfinished business’, as he has yet many projects to unveil.
