GILBERT MODISE REMEMBERED WITH PANACHE

Poet Gilbert Ngwaneso Modise was post-humously honoured in Bloemfontein at the weekend at the National Afrikaans Literary Museum and Research Centre (Dingolweng Tsa Sesotho Museum) at Charlotte Maxeke Street. The objective of the event was to also honour Modise as a poet, imbongi and sangoma, according to Mpikeleni Duma, veteran journalist, political activist and essayist. "To my mind a sangoma and a poet are very close in category, both using the power of the imagination and the inner eye, and both listening with the inner ear, and both of them giving messages to the people," said Mpikeleni in honour to Gilbert Modise. Charmaine Mrwebi, from the Bloemfontein Public Library and one of the organizers of the event conferred a certificate from the Words of Ink Writers Club of Bloemfontein to the family of Modise at the function in his honour. Also, messages of support from all over the world were read, including one from the people’s poet, Mzwakhe Mbuli. Mbuli’s message read: "The year 2012 marks 100 years of our struggle for liberation against tyranny. As the country celebrates the Centenary, the name of a creative cadre Gilbert Modise comes to mind. We pay tribute and salute selfless contribution of this son of the soil who fearlessly used his talent against the apartheid monster. We shall always remember brave martyrs like him who could not be silenced in the face of injustice. Long live the poetic spirit of Comrade Gilbert. Longlive!" Also present was Tshediso Maseloane from the Arts and Culture Department; Kgang Abel Motheane, the prolific writer, Serame “Icebound” Makhele, the well known rapper artist.

Poet Flaxman Qoopane, who was a friend and close associate of Gilbert Modise, took the audience on a journey about the life of the deceased. Qoopane, who runs an art gallery in Mangaung township, revealed the story of Gilbert to the audience as he displayed photos of his friends when they were both overseas and in South Africa. He collaborated by reading a poem with fellow poet, Jah Rose in honour of Gilbert Modise. Qoopane said he was disappointed that the Performing Arts Centre of Free State is allegedly ignoring the works of Gilbert Modise. Kedinamotse, Gilbert Modise’s elder said her family was happy that her brother was honoured. She said: "It is important that the arts fraternity in the province must honour my brother including other veteran poets who have been before him on the scene. We are honoured as a family and his children that our son is not forgotten." Kedinamotse also introduced the daughter of Modise, Jerusalema. Modise's daughter broke down because of her happiness as her father was honoured. Songbird and vocalist, Mantele Moye in her Difela (Hymn) Ha le mpotsa tshepo ya ka, led to tears flowing from the family of Modise as she remembered the poet. Moye used to sing at the church of Modise at Rocklands. The occasion was characterized with the rendition of poems: Poet Magic Raselebeli Khotseng, Hector Kunene, Mojalefa. Veteran Comedian, Mesuli Dlangamandla had the audience in stitches. The family of the great writer, Ntate Moiloa attended the function to support Gilbert Modise including actors who worked with him for years. Modise was born in 1964 in Batho Location, Bloemfontein, Free State. He obtained his secondary education at Sehunelo High School in Bloemfontein and thereafter educated himself further by reading widely and imaginatively. He went on to become one of the most celebrated black cultural worker in the Free State - an author, poet, general innovator, musician, playwright and literary activist. He also published novels in Setswana.

OMOSEYE BOLAJI DOCUMENTARY: 'Home away from home'

I suppose relatively few film documentaries are made focusing on black African writers. I have over the years enjoyed such rare documentaries made on African writers like Es'kia Mphahlele, Wole Soyinka, and Ola Rotimi. But such films are still thin on the ground, and it is a tragedy, for example, that top writers (now deceased) like Dambudzo Marechera, Chris Okigbo, Ingrid Jonker are not recorded on visual tape. Thus, this documentary is one to applaud and relish. It focuses on the versatile writer, Omoseye Bolaji (pictured above), and the impact he has made on literature including at grassroots level. Respected African writers like Pule Lechesa, Flaxman Qoopane, Hector Kunene pay tribute to Bolaji in this documentary. We see images of Bolaji, his published books, some of his major awards, here. Also, Bolaji himself talks about life as a writer, his influences, inspiration, motivation, etc. This is an illuminating, well produced documentary. The director, editor, and producer is Winnie Mokhomo (below)

The Executive producer of the documentary is Dr Melanie Chait. - Paul Lothane