Mbali Literary Awards, Clocolan

Literary protagonists who graced the inaugural Mbali Awards were united in their advice in respect of Free State literacy and literature – complacency is a bugbear! This was obvious at the event that took place in Clocolan. Pule Lechesa, the internationally renowned critic said: “FS writing can not afford to rest on its laurels. We still have a long way to go; we must guard against complacency which is a very dangerous thing; with the eloquent, futile shrug of the shoulder that does not bode well eventually,” Lechesa was one of the formal speakers at the Awards, which was graced by arts and culture practitioners. Speakers also pointed out that it was important there should be regular encouragement and boosts for writers in particular. “Fine Black writers are relatively few and far between in black Africa,” Peter Moroe said. “But this is no excuse for them not to be encouraged. Hence the pivotal importance of such award nites,”

Peter Moroe, widely recognised for editing the literary series, The growth of FS Black writing over the years, added: “We have to try much harder to build a society of readers. Our people are just not reading, and the few who do, read absolutely the wrong things. Hence knowledge of literature in particular is plummeting yearly,” Raphael Mokoena, polished critic and essayist, also bemoaned the prevailing situation. “The ignorance on literature is so shocking these days,” he said. “When educated black people are not familiar with the works of SA writers like Es’kia, Lewis Nkosi, Gomolemo Mokae, Siphiwo Mahala etc one, is enveloped in despair” He added: “Occasions like this show that there is some hope on the horizon. I have been impressed with the Citations on the Mbali awardees which display knowledge of literature and eclectic trends…One hopes that soon the likes of Flaxman Qoopane will be honoured for what they have done for the world of letters,”

- R Khotseng