A compelling and deeply personal account of being born into what was first Southern Rhodesia, then Rhodesia and now Zimbabwe. Jill Baker grew up as a white girl, whose best childhood playmates were three black boys. The story grows through intriguing snapshots into the lives of each of the four characters until, as teenagers, the group meets again … this time, in the desolate historical sites of Matebeleland to discover, discuss, argue and, from their now diverse and singular perspectives, try to find answers for the future, by making sense of their country's history. The Horns brings to life the early history of Matabeleland and Southern Rhodesia through the increasingly divergent paths of four childhood friends. Jabu, son of an eminent Ndebele Chief; Themba discovering his Tswana past as a slave to the Ndebele; Prune, his mother dying in childbirth and his adoption by the clinic nurse and orderly; Carol, daughter of a Native Commissioner in Nyamandhlovu - all of them living in the heartland of Matebele history. 'The Horns is up there as one of the best books on Africa I have read in many years. Eat your heart out Wilbur and you, Mr Ruark, look to your bush lore laurels.' - Martin McGhee, UK 'You will laugh out loud, pull out your hair in utter despair and learn a lot … A must read for anyone who has fallen in love with the precious land between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers.' - Knysna Herald 'An excellent combination of personal/fictional narrative and historical events and situations.' - Aaron Murphy, Paper True
Jill Baker spent her childhood in Matebeleland, daughter of a man dedicated to African education and Principal of three leading African schools. Her adult life on a farm was brought to an abrupt end with the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) from Britain in 1965 and she worked for the next 18 years as a journalist, news and documentary presenter and producer in television and radio. She emigrated to Australia to run a radio station and open her own business consultancy and her first book, Beloved African, a biography of her father's life, was published in 2000.
