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Lady D. is #1

If you haven't yet discovered the pleasure of this series, it's time to do so.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency features Mma "Precious" Ramotswe, the only female private detective in Bots­wana. Business at her agency starts fairly slowly (with a couple of non-paying clients), but grows to include such cases as the boy who may or may not have been kidnapped by a witch doctor. Mma Ramotswe slowly overcomes the prejudices many of her male neighbours feel towards a woman posing as a detective, and calmly goes about solving her clients' dramas — both large and small.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective AgencyAlexander McCall Smith

However, the detective agency is almost an aside to the real heart of the novels, which are almost like a love poem to beautiful Africa. Mma Ramot­swe loves her country with a deep, heartfelt passion, and embodies the spirit of Africa in everything she does. Smith describes the traditions and land­scapes with gentleness and depth, creating a picture of modern Africa that is very different from what most Wes­terners imagine it to be.

The characters in the novels are also a true delight — not just Mma Ramotswe, but also her long-time and patient admirer, Mr J.L.B. Maketoni, and her expert typing secretary, Mma Grace Makutsi. There are very few harrowed moments — no-one is in a rush to get anywhere or do anything, and they all have an abiding respect for them­selves and each other.

There are now nine books in the series — the latest, The Miracle at Speedy Motors, has just been released. Do yourself a favour and pick up one of these wise, uplifting books.

Read this if you enjoyed …

Agatha Christie

4.5 stars

Hannah Pietsch

At the Movies with Cathy and David

The Imam and the Pastor

David: I first saw this documentary a couple of years back at Armagh House in Toorak, the headquarters for the group "Initiatives for Change", who have sponsored and promoted the film since it's arrival here in Australia. The fact that the two men at the centre of the story, Pentecostal Pastor James Wuye and Muslim Imam Muhammad Ashafa, are currently visiting Melbourne seemed a good reason to review the film now.

Cathy: It's a moving film centring on the themes of forgiveness, recon­cili­ation and peace in conflict-ridden Nigeria. Imam Ashafa and Pastor James initially were enemies in combat, both suffering losses in the same violent clashes. From the first tentative steps towards forgiveness over ten years ago, an amazing relationship has developed between the men and their families. As founders and co-directors of the Muslim-Christian Interfaith Mediation Centre, they are now deeply committed to leading task-forces to resolve Muslim-Christian conflicts across Nigeria.

David: There are two interesting factors in this development. First, neither man was influenced by the external western liberal ideologies we normally asso­ciate with interfaith relations. This is directly related to the second fact: both men found the path to recon­ciliation through deeper conversion and commitment to the core message of their respective faith traditions.

Cathy: Narrative plays a large role in this film, with each man telling the story from his own perspective, inter­spersed with colourful images of daily life in Nigeria and their work together.

David: It is quite comical at times, seeing the way they and their wives interact, but also very moving that men from such different backgrounds and such traditions of conflict could find — what? Well, almost, in a sense, they find salvation in one another. I don't think that is overstating it.

Cathy: I didn't find it comical, although I agree there were humourous moments. It's a warts-and-all story of peace and I found it challenged my own thinking about forgiveness and reconciliation.

David: I guess having seen it a couple of times and played it to several audiences, I find myself wondering what the real application of this film might be to interfaith relations here in Australia, where we don't have this background of violent conflict.

Cathy: Well, I don't agree with that. I think it has broader implications — it has much to say about how we as individuals and communities approach the whole concept of forgiveness and reconciliation. Poignant and inspira­tional, I'm giving it four and half stars.

David: Fair enough. It is a very well made documentary, and I'm giving it three and half.

Availability: The DVD is on loan to St Paul's from the Catholic Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission. See Cathy to borrow. Suitable for groups, individuals, and families from secondary school age upwards. For more information Google The Imam and the Pastor — 10 minutes of the film is on YouTube.

Cathy  David