Aryan Kaganof's VUVUZELA MURDERS

STRIKING POETRY IN CITY OF ROSES

The Arts Amuse performing Arts Services from Bloemfontein in partnership with the National Arts Council of South Africa organised the Art of writing Poetry Workshop at the National Afrikaans Literature Museum in Bloemfontein on 14 September 2013. Rita Chihawa (above) from the Arts Amuse said: “The Arts Amuse in partnership with the National Arts Council of South Africa will be championing, developing and investing in artistic and literary arts workshops that enrich people’s lives.” The lady icon added: “We are hosting another series of distinctive workshops that will ensure the Free State aspiring writers develop their skills ranging from poetry scripts, short story and novel writing and performance,” She explained further that as regards the art of writing poetry workshop, veteran, polished, eclectic writer and journalist Flaxman Qoopane was roped in to chip in with his extraordinary experience and dexterity. Also invited was Serame “Icebound” Makhele who also strutted his stuff eloquently. Flaxman Qoopane, always a colourful character, said in his distinctive voice: “During the workshop I introduced the twenty aspiring poets to the following language resources, spoken word, listening, speaking, reading, vocabulary, improving your writing etc. When we want to find out how well or badly a poem is written we appreciate or criticize that poem. In other words, we want to get points that help us in liking or disliking the poem. This is commonly referred to as literary criticism,’ During the workshop, Qoopane and Makhele distributed a poem, Alexandra penned by the illustrious Mongane Wally Serote, to the aspiring poets. The duo also helped the participants to analyse the pertinent poem. According to Qoopane and Makhele: “Poet Serote praises his birthplace, Alexandra which is next to Johannesburg. The poet was nostalgic whilst in exile…’Alexandra is like a beautiful caring mother’ He personifies Alexandra by saying: ‘A most beautiful Mother’. The poet has travelled to many other countries, but still feels Alexandra is the best. These memories of the poet are strong, trenchant and resonating – as he even reminisces on the horrors, murders et al. ‘There is no place like the birth place’ is the stirring message that strikes a chord from this piece. It was a most enlightening workshop! Serame Makhele presented a talk about the late Stephen Bantu Biko who was killed by the apartheid regime on 12 September 1977. He read some extracts from his book, I write what I like Ncumisa Stokwe from J.B Mafora, Mangaung said: “The facilitators Flaxman Qoopane and Serame Makhele have great experiences as poets. We learned a lot from them about poetry. Thank you Arts Amuse for inviting Qoopane and Makhele to inspire us,” Angelina de Wee from Bochabela Location in Bloemfontein said; “I saw for the first time the Qoopane Literary Gallery. It exposed me to so many SA writers. I felt as if I was rubbing shoulders with Mongane Wally Serote, Don Mattera, Njabulo Ndebele, Sol Plaatje, Lebo Mashile etc. A magnificent Gallery!!”

BOLAJI IN HIS POMP - A P.Lechesa literary study

Pule Lechesa writes on literary allusions in Bolaji’s book: ‘Kunle Apantaku’

In this new book, it is remarkable how many sweeping, far-ranging literary allusions author O Bolaji resorts to whilst paying this heart-felt tribute to his friend and literary colleague, Kunle Apantaku. My intention here is to briefly point out some of these references. Bolaji mentions a raft of literary protagonists, most of them among the best the world has ever seen. These writers, African and Eurocentric, include Wole Soyinka, Kola Onadipe, Cyprian Ekwensi, Chinua Achebe, Ama Atta Aidoo, Ben Okri, Dillibe Onyeama, R.L Stevenson and Herman Melville. Other wordsmiths mentioned in this new book are William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Philip Roth, John Steinbeck, Bessie Head, Dambudzo Marechera, Ayi Kwei Armah, Sol Plaatje, Njabulo Ndebele, Melvyn Bragg, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Enid Blyton, Sidney Sheldon, William Shakespeare, Nostradamus (the great seer), Frantz Kafka, Tsitsi Dangarembga, Flaxman Qoopane, and Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga. Reminiscing on their youthful writings long ago (he and Kunle) Bolaji states: “Now looking back on it, it is rather strange that we considered ourselves as “old” at that time, and even the themes of what we wrote reflected this: love, philosophy, sex, crime etc. There is a very impressive corpus of African literature anchored on children’s books. Even in those days, the outstanding African writers like Chinua Achebe, Cyprian Ekwensi, Ama Ata Aidoo and Ngugi wa Thiong’o had penned some children’s works. But although we had read countless Eurocentric works of this ilk some years ago (the Enid Blytons, Biggles series, Three Investigators, Hardy Boys and the like) we now firmly considered ourselves – even at 15 – as mature, rather wizened wordsmiths! “I have always maintained that the youth must devour pertinent literature (Children’s books) when they are very young – let’s say from around 4, 5 upwards. Nothing can be more exciting than reading such books at the right age. In this wise, I must pay a brief special tribute to one of the all-time greats of Black African writing pertaining to children – Kola Onadipe. “His books were – are - extraordinarily interesting for the young ones, with works like the exhilarating The adventures of Souza. Mr Onadipe (now deceased) was a very prolific author of such books for the young; his published titles include The adventures of Souza, The boy slave, Koku Baboni, Sugar girl, The magic land of the shadows, The forest is our playground, The return of Shettima, Footprints on the Niger, Sunny boy, Sweet mother, Around Nigeria in thirty days, Call me Michael, Halima must not die : and other plays for schools; Happy birthday : queen for a day; Mothers-In-Law, The Other Woman, A pot of gold, Beloved daughters, The king is naked : and other stories, The mysterious twins; and Binta : beautiful bride…” Do writers belong to the loony bin? Are they a crazy breed? Here are Bolaji’s views on this:

“We think of excellent (now dead) African writers like Dambudzo Marechera and Bessie Head, who were also “oddities” in their own way. Their idiosyncrasies and “weird” behaviour have been chronicled by scholars over the years. Lunacy also seems to loom large in the magnificent novels of Ayi Kwei Armah (especially in Fragments) “How many times over the years have I heard African writers complaining in this vein: “Few people appreciate writers; they think we are crazy. We Blacks just want to enjoy material things, not things of the mind. Why can’t we wordsmiths be appreciated?” “But it is not only “Black Africans” who might view writers with suspicion. Consider the case of Herman Melville, American, now world famous for his fantastic novel, Moby Dick in particular. Yet during his lifetime he was often derided; family members even prevailed upon his wife to leave him, “the madman”. Incredibly, here is how a national publication (The New York Day Book) commented on the great Melville in those days (1852): “A critical friend, who read Melville's last book, Ambiguities, between two steamboats accidents, told us that it appeared to be composed of the ravings and reveries of a madman. We were somewhat startled at the remark, but still more at learning, a few days after, that Melville was really supposed to be deranged, and that his friends were taking measures to place him under treatment. We hope one of the earliest precautions will be to keep him stringently secluded from pen and ink..." Bolaji in this book also remembers how Kunle used to mention then-young writers, Ben Okri, and Dillibe Onyeama. Bolaji concedes that Okri is by far the more famous now, adding:

“But here is a brief literary sketch of Onyeama for record purposes: The writing career of Dillibe Onyeama, a Nigerian, has straddled five decades - though he was only born in 1951. Author of the famous book, Nigger at Eton, Onyeama was reputed to be the first Black African to study at that institution (Eton College). He went on to publish over twenty books and has contributed prodigiously to African publishing after returning back to Nigeria. “His other published books, over the decades, include John Bull’s Nigger (1974), African Legend, The Return, Juju (novel) Secret Society, Boomerang (short stories), Notes of a so-called Afro-Saxon, Godfathers of Voodoo, Female Target, The Night Demon, The New Man, Revenge of the Medicine Man, Book of Black Man’s Humour; and God, Sex and the English man (2012). Readers of Onyeama’s books insist that in works like Juju, he matches the best of Eurocentric mystery/thriller fiction…” Whilst adumbrating on diverse literary styles Bolaji writes; “Take three disparate writers for example, all Nobel-award winners in literature; William Faulkner (USA), Ernest Hemingway (USA), and Wole Soyinka (Nigeria). Their approach to writing is completely different; you might say the simplistic, “journalistic” approach of Hemingway is the complete opposite of that of the dense, profound, intricate style of Soyinka. Faulkner might not be as complex as Soyinka, but he is certainly streets ahead of Hemingway in this wise. And what about the “streetwise” John Steinbeck (American too) who also won the Nobel Award?” Thereafter Bolaji quotes Faulkner with great relish (even making it come out in bold type in this book);

“Let the writer take up surgery or bricklaying if he is interested in technique. There is no mechanical way to get the writing done, no shortcut. The young writer would be a fool to follow a theory. Teach yourself by your own mistakes; people learn only by error. The good artist believes that nobody is good enough to give him advice. He has supreme vanity. No matter how much he admires the old writer, he wants to beat him...” Bolaji is also happy to reproduce what distinguished British writer, Melvyn Bragg has written as regards literary criticism: “…the teaching and programming of literature has let loose armies of ‘readings’ and interpretations which – whatever the quality –have threatened to divert the attention from the novel itself, to the theory erected around it,” There is a lot more – Bolaji even deprecates and undermines his own contributions to literature over the decades – but it is appropriate that Bolaji ends his tribute to Kunle by making an allusion to William Shakespeare. Better still let us reproduce the very end of this book: “Olakunle Olubukola Apantaku was one of the finest literary talents Africa has produced. It does not matter that due to strictures etc of his time he could not publish much during his lifetime. And so what? The great European writer, Kafka (Franz Kafka) published very little during his lifetime; and it was only later on, posthumously that those who had been close to him began to publish the bulk of what he had written. “Now we come to the terminal stage where we spew the clichés: Rest in peace, Kunle. Or in Yoruba: Sun re oo…O di’gba ose… Ah, but Kunle also revered Shakespeare. So as Horatio says in Hamlet: “…and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest…”

In effect, Kunle Apantaku and international literature are intertwined in this illuminating new book.

CHAPINDAPASI (Short Stories) By Maxwell Kanemanyanga

Excerpt from the book: “My husband, I might have news that will make you a happy till the day you will go to your grave.” (Tikidi, the King’s wife,) said. “You remember the time i went to my parents. I gave birth to a baby boy, we lied to you that he was dead because i knew you will kill him. You have a son King Makombe." The smile on his face (The King) said it all. The tears of sorrow turned out to be tears of joy. During his young years he would have dragged her to her grave but now she had just made him the happiest man alive. He did not want to waste any more time, he rushed to his palace to meet with his elders and advisors. They sat for the whole night and it was at this indaba that they all agreed that the King's son should come home and learn from his father and elders. Early in the following morning the six bodyguards, one king's advisor and the mother Tikidi took the long journey to Bumhira's kingdom. It was a long journey as always especially with a woman among them. When they finally arrived they saw King Bumhira seating in front of his palace. He was shocked to see his daughter coming. Without wasting time Tikidi took her father aside and briefly explained to him the reason why she came. King Bumhira was happy and sad at the same time. Happy because mother and son would finally unite and not live a lie an more. On the other hand he was sad to see a boy he raised as his own son leave even though he had to. They rested for two more days before they embarked on the long journey back home. The rumour of the King's son spread like fire. People from all walks of life flocked to the King's palace to see this mysterious son. How could the king have a son when he killed all his sons, they could not stop wondering. Meanwhile the other wives of King Makombe were hurt and jealous. How did Tikidi manage to raise a son when all their sons were slaughtered? Her son will now be the king, and she will obviously become the King's favourite because she gave him an heir that he desperately wanted. When people saw the delegation arriving all their questions were answered. They didn't need any introduction; it was obvious who the King's son was. This was not a rumour any more it was reality. Mapuranga was huge and strong just like his father. King Makombe declared a holiday to celebrate the resurrection of his son as he called it. Whilst people were celebrating plans were made for Mapuranga to stay with a council of elders for one year to learn the customs of his people and how to be a ruler. Even though Mapuranga had the best advisers there was nothing they could do about his nature. He was a cruel, stubborn, proud and heartless young man. In short he was his father's son in every way. However if there was one man who was happy with the development of Mapuranga it was his father. “How can he be a king if he is soft? Power is for people who are ruthless, people with heart and guts", he reiterated to his advisers’ who voiced their concerns about his rude and sometimes disrespectful behaviour…

Leke Giwa on Soqaga's second Book

I have just read Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga’s book, Promoting Quintessential African writing (2013). I have read a prior review of this work (by R Mokoena) which is adequate enough. However I was also struck by the approach of the author – when near the end of the book, he refers to case studies of five “outstanding African writers” – Achebe, Ngugi, Ayi Kwei Armah, Es’kia Mphahlele, and Wole Soyinka. This is followed by a long list of “prolific” African writers. The problem is that many a-reader could be confused here; thinking that the “outstanding” writers should not be prolific; or/and the “prolific” ones might lack enough quality. This is not the case. The first thing to point out is that largely, even these “outstanding” writers are prolific themselves. Chinua Achebe, though famed globally for “Things fall apart” published many other books; at least 20 of them, including other brilliant novels, essays, short stories, criticism and the like. The same applies to Ngugi wa Thiong’o who has published some 30 books too. South Africa’s Es’kia Mphahlele, a literary pioneer during his lifetime, published all this and more too; at least 20 books in his case! As for Ayi Kwei Armah, the Ghanaian writer, he might not have published up to twenty books, but we must remember that the world class novels he is now famous for were largely published within a period of ten years (around 1968 to 1978). The works include The beautyful ones are not yet born, Fragments, 2000 seasons, and The Healers) Armah also later published other novels which further put him on the map. In fairness to author Soqaga, he does at least point out briefly that in the case of Wole Soyinka, he has been very prolific too: “On my own part I am very proud that many African writers have been prolific in their output…David Maillu for example, has published over 60 books; and Nobel award winner Soyinka might well have surpassed this figure (60)…” (Page 30, Promoting Quintessential African Writing, by I.M Soqaga). And no one would doubt the shining quality of Soyinka’s works despite his being prolific! But perhaps we should not dwell on prolificacy too much. As writers, critics, researchers etc, we must always learn from current developments. Charmaine Kolwane, the South African female writer in her new, updated, revised study on the writer O Bolaji (2013), asks him how many books he has published thus far. Bolaji’s reply is illuminating, touching on ‘prolific writing’: ‘I don’t think writers should dwell on the number of books they have published – quality will always be more important than quantity. Most literary pundits like to state that I have published some 30 books, discounting ghost-writing and stuff like that. Yeah, maybe that is a figure one can hang a hat on! There are some writers obsessed with how many books they have published; but I am not one of them. I have been writing books since I was a kid for decades and as I write in so many literary genres, the figure might not be so bad by now. But what is the point of having so many books if most or even all of them are ignored by serious critics? I always mention female icons like Yvonne Vera and Tsitsi Dangarembga as examples; they published relatively few books; but studies and books on them continue to appear world-wide. These are people who have really made their mark. How many countless studies have been issued globally on Tsitsi’s one book, Nervous Conditions?’ Whilst bearing this in mind, one should still commend our African writers, especially those who are BOTH qualitative and prolific; I am sure the author, Ishmael Soqaga will appreciate my perspective here.

THROBBING SA BLACK LITERATURE

MARCH FOR LIBRARIES!

By Eusebius McKaiser I grew up in a small council house in Middle Terrace, Grahamstown. I have many happy memories. And many not so happy ones. There were tough days! Poverty is the real mother of invention. There is no need to romanticize poverty and inequality.(As a child) I spent many hours in the community library lost in books. I was lucky the library was next to our house and so I only needed to jump the fence and I was a minute away from magical worlds that looked and felt and smelt very different to my own life. I fell in love with Enid Blyton, like many millions of kids the world over. And jelly sandwiches with my favourite characters. (Mind you, the thought was disgusting for years! Only as an adult did an American friend rescue me from ignorance – jelly for them turned out to be what we dub jam, not only desert!) Also when I was in the library I could not be smacked by mom who was frustrated at dad’s disappearance. I wasn’t a witness to violence between neighbours. I was in a happy place Books gave me joy. The world of books helped me escape the harsh reality of a childhood located in our familiar landscape of violence, poverty and inequality. I really was lucky. Some of my peers – and siblings and cousins – responded to our tough upbringing by dropping out of school or falling pregnant as teens. I can’t blame them. How can I know the utter hopelessness of our community that provided conditions ripe for antisocial behaviour. I had no guidance at home, and so my reading list was very bizarre and random: in between so-called children’s book I was reading Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, Virginia Andrews’s Flowers…We must read everything in our sight; we must become a reading nation…Now I’m an annoying philosophy student and part-time lecturer for life. That’s what books do. They help you find your true self. Here is the ultimate moral of my book nostalgia, though. If we want to break down barriers between ourselves across race, linguistic and cultural lines, we must promote reading. Fiction forces you to live in other people’s worlds. It develops our empathetic capacities. Sure, reading isn’t a substitute for dismantling apartheid geography and is no substitute for living in each other’s spaces. But it can and does help to build bridges. Reading will help us to humanize each other. These benefits require well-stocked libraries in every school and community, managed by librarians who are valued and paid due compensation for their vital role. (Originally published in The Star. Article slightly revised here) • McKaiser is author of the best-selling, A Bantu in My bathroom

TSEBA O LEETONG ( KNOW YOU ARE ON A JOURNEY)

Angelina De Wee

HARK AT THIS LADY POET!

Take a lovely young female librarian who is very much in touch with her roots and celebrates the world of arts and culture, especially poetry. Lindiwe Damane is a cultured, performing poet with an African touch. Talking about how it all began for her, she explains: “I developed an interest in writing when I was in High School in 2006, my English teacher would give us poems to read; thereafter my love for poetry started there.” Although still very young at the time, she experienced some frustrations along the way. “Then I would write just for fun and no one would read my work, hardly anybody even knew that I wrote poems. In 2009 I would write occasionally... eventually I stopped writing. “

Now working at the Bloemfontein Public Library, inevitably she met the powerful poet and author, Charmaine Kolwane Mrwebi who was to somewhat take her under her wing.”I met Charmaine in 2011 who went on to play a crucial role in my life. She inspired me a lot with her work. Here is a young black lady so committed to writing; an author with her first book available in some of the best Universities in the world, including in America. She would always encourage me to write. She would take me to poetry sessions and writer's organization meetings and workshops.” Charmaine’s efforts bore fruit, and now Lindiwe herself is establishing herself as an enthusiastic, talented performer. “Charmaine revived something inside me that almost died. I started writing again and it has never felt so good. I write poems in English and my home language (IsiXhosa).” Lindiwe expands her horizons by reading the poetry, and books of other established writers. She says: “One of my favourite poets is Ntsiki Mazwai. My local favourite writers are Charmaine Mrwebi, Hector Kunene, O Bolaji, and last but not least Ntate ‘Magic’ – who can die for poetry! (laughs)”

A Fine Work to Guide us all

Book: Mr Kgaile, you were Wrong Author: Bennet Mkhehlane Reviewer: Raselebeli Khotseng

By now it is clear that the author, Bennet Mkheklane, is a very powerful motivator, and a deeply spiritual individual. This is his second book which confirms the promise of his first work. His debut book, titled ‘A Passion to Serve’ was a great success, and elements of the book can be seen in the second. The strain of spirituality runs through the work as we are urged to abide by the word of God. The author covers many topics and subjects that are part of daily life. The emphasis is always on the positive and it is obvious that the author goes out of his way to ensure that the spiritual path is the only real fruitful path. There are examples taken from around the world, especially the United States of America which has always been a vibrant and fruitful source of so many exciting things; with colourful characters and a lot of publicity. I enjoyed the wide discourse and advice on marital conflicts late on in this new book. Here the author shows humility and empathy; even pointing out what could be his own weaknesses as a human being in keeping his family together. This is the work of a very intelligent person, already making a difference in our society. Despite the rather controversial reference in the title, this is another thorough work to cherish.

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

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

ES'KIA MPHAHLELE'S DOWN SECOND AVENUE

The author of this great work, Pa Es’kia Mphahlele breathed his last after a long fruitful life (he was almost 90 when he departed this world) Mphahlele was celebrated as one of the greatest writers Africa has ever produced. Over the decades he was an academic, journalist, editor and international professor. As early as 1959 he published his classic, Down Second Avenue which made the literary world to drool.

Down Second Avenue details the early years of the author’s life how he incredibly made good for himself despite coming from a background of great poverty. We learn all the hard things that happened to him and his family when he was very young but how he decided to be different. It was his love for the written word – for reading and writing – that came to the author’s rescue. From a very early age he relished reading books and in fact went through virtually all the books in his local library easily. He began to explain things to his friends and contemporaries; things he had learnt from books and the early cinema in those days. We see the strength of women in those days of apartheid – the strength of mothers, foster mothers, aunts, etc who despite grinding poverty were always ready to help one way or the other. The young Es’kia did well at school, became a teacher, and later a celebrated journalist and editor at Drum. For a man of his great intelligence and awareness, apartheid era was completely unacceptable, so Es’kia decided to go abroad, to west Africa which was of course then much freer than South Africa. Here he began to blossom as a great creative writer and critic… - KA Motheane (Bookshelf Column)

MEET SEISO MPETE "DR COOL"...

Recently, the much anticipated Macufe poetree took place at PACOFS Ofm Downstage. Among the 20 poets who where featured that evening there were likes of Napo Mashiane, Lesego Rampolokeng, Ice Bound, Jah-Rose, Hector Kunene, Afurakan Mohare. Also strutting his stuff was the poet who many say was on fire that evening and he mesmerized that stage with the unforgettable perfomance. Who can it be none other than Seiso 'Dr. Cool' Mpete, a poet from Bloemfontein who never disappoints with his performances anywhere in the country.

This is what he had to say about the Macufe poetree night: “Thanks to Macufe and Jah-Rose productions for giving us SA poets a night to always remember.” When we asked him of how does he manage to keep his performances accelerating positively he said “I once told myself that I'll forever stay hungry, as much as I'm honored for my achievements and my fans.. every time when I perform, I perform like a beginner who is doing his best to be recognized because all what God was to give me a Talent and now it's up to me if I'm gonna keep it alive or let it die.” “My highlights of that night would be Napo Masheane performance, and my friend's performance Lesego Rampolokeng, Marvelous performances if I may say.” as he continued “I will like to thank all our fans and supporters who came across the Country to support us, we are who we arebecause of your support. "To my fellow Artists... I cote myself hahahaha... If you want to stay the best in what you do 'NEVER ALLOW YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS TO LEGENDERELIZE YOUR MIND OR IT WILL ALL BE OVER.' close cote hahahah...” Congratulations to Jah-Rose productions and Big ups to the Doctor of words Dr. Cool!!!!!

Mayibongwe Mpanda's UKUKHANYA

Book: Ukukhanya By Mayibongwe Mpanda Because of the high standards of literary trends in the Free state we tend to intimidate would-be writers a-times - this despite the fact relatively very few books are published by black writers. Yet we must remember that not all books are published for literary acclamation or purposes. The writer just has something to say - this includes books with spiritual or motivational purpose. Ukukhanya is such a work. The author is Mayibongwe Mpanda and this book strives to improve us spiritually... Ukukhanya (light) contains a variety and diverse kinds of poems and there are some real questions posed prompting the reader to logic thinking. There are poems covering various topics like faith, social affairs, family affairs, economic affairs, political affairs etc. A work written to foster widespread improvement! “Once light has appeared the life of a person can no longer be the same. Where there is light, there is life, and darkness flees! The light shines and provides light to those in the dark...” Poems here include humbleness, youth, talent, ubuntu, reconciliation, Holy spirit, women’s Day, South Africa, rainbow nation, water of life, wisdom, bread of life, no to crime, complacency; among others. By the way, I was delighted that this column was shortlisted for the prestigious Mbali Awards. It is reassuring that some pundits appreciate what we try to do here in this column. - K.A Motheane

LESELI MOKHELE AND HIS SHORT STORIES

Leseli Mokhele is one of the outstanding short story writers in Southern Africa; he hails from Lesotho, and made his debut as a very good writer of fiction with the book, Home grown short stories. The reader is struck with two things soon after being introduced to Mokhele’s work: his wide diction, and also his fertile imagination. The underworld, the sleazy, different types of women; desperate men – these are some of the themes in his short stories.

Then there is also the violence. A lot of this seems to go too far and a streak of sadism might well run through his work. The sweetness and dangers that go with women are well highlighted, including heartbreak and Aids. The stories are more in the line of the hard school of overseas thrillers. But the beauty is that the background is very much the black world of the locations, and the like. That Mokhele is well read can be seen from his references to literature and literary giants in his fiction. Like Marechera, he pays tribute to his favourite writers directly and indirectly and spreads some enlightenment in the process. Mokhele has published another book titled The Charismatic charlatan. It is also a collection of short stories; and the good news is that this book is available in many of the Free State libraries. Lovers of African fiction will do well to read Mokhele’s work. K.A Motheane

Book: OMOSEYE BOLAJI: A voyage around his literary work

Book: Omoseye Bolaji: A voyage around his literary work (2012) Author: Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga

This new book is the latest in line of books dedicated to examining the works of Omoseye Bolaji, a rather prolific writer. Here I am not attempting to review the new work (maybe I might do so later); rather the publication of this new book made me cast my mind back on such books published over the years. The late Pule Lebuso published the early work, Omoseye Bolaji: his writings/his role as a catalyst for FS Writing (2001). Strangely enough, despite the passage of time, this book still has the best analysis of Tebogo’s spot of bother, which was Bolaji’s second adventure of Tebogo Mokoena the sleuth. Then came Flaxman Qoopane’s study titled: Omoseye Bolaji: perspectives on his literary work (2003). Qoopane was later (in 2008) to publish another book on Bolaji dubbed: THE CREST: Omoseye Bolaji honoured in Nigeria.

It was refreshing to see Charmaine Kolwane, a young black woman, putting a book together on Bolaji (in 2005). The book, titled Omoseye Bolaji: channelling one’s thoughts onto paper, was a success. Just a year later (2006), Petro Schonfeld published Tebogo on the prowl, a study of Omoseye Bolaji’s sleuth Tebogo Mokoena. The book drew many positive reviews at the time. Pule Lechesa also published the book, Omoseye Bolaji: on awards, authors, literature (2007) which focused more on Bolaji himself, as he talked about his life and works. 2009 saw the publication of Julia Mooi’s, Omoseye Bolaji: further perspectives. Hector Kunene weighed in with a lovely book simply titled OMOSEYE BOLAJI in 2010. It was (still is) a substantial work containing many different articles published on Bolaji’s work over the years. To his credit, Hector included, in particular, a superb interview near the end of the work.

And now comes this new work by Ishmael Soqaga which also considers Bolaji’s literary ouvre. This is a feather in the cap for both the author (Soqaga) and the subject, Omoseye Bolaji. - Paul Lothane

INTRODUCING MENAN DU PLESSIS

Menan Du Plessis was born in Cape Town in 1952, studied linguistics at the University of Cape Town before lecturing at the same university. She began writing poetry in the 1970s, which were published in the journal Quarry. She married Professor Renfrew L. Christie, Dean of Research at the University of the Western Cape. They have two daughters, and were guardian to an orphaned son Cornelius Graafland, from 20 September 1989 to 3 January 1994, when he turned twenty-one. Her two novels, Longlive! and A State of Fear, were well received within liberal circles as it deals with political tension in the mid-1980s South Africa. She was a member of the United Democratic Front (UDF), an organisation opposed to the national government of the time and allied to the ANC, and also wrote for their magazine, Upfront, to which she contributed articles as well. She believes South African writing can offer what European writing cannot: “Reading contemporary British writers, for me they are technically very good, but bland – South Africa offers a richness”. Sources Steyn, Pierre. 1986. Stop flinging false accusations. Frontline, 6(4), August. Aarons, Michelle. 1989. Private Anguish amid the Teargas. Weekly Mail 5(25), 30 June. Dederick, Jane. 1989. ‘Longlive!’ a Response to ‘85’s political turmoil in SA. The Cape Times, 7 July. Munnik, Victor. 1989. Menswees in die Revolusie. Vrye Weekblad, 13 October. Holtzhausen, Evelyn. 1989. Dull Characters in Search of a Plot. The Cape Times, 12 August. P.A.S. 1989. Portraits of a Familiar Scene. Daily Dispatch. 5 August. Ngcobo, Lauretta. 1988. Review: Apartheid South Africa: Through Women's Eyes. Third World Quarterly, Vol. 10, No. 1, Succession in the South, (Jan.), pp. 299- 306 North, James. 1987. Unfolding Horror. New York Times, November 8 Political Editorial Staff. 1992. Polisie, IVP takel Amnestie oor verslag, aanklag. Die Burger, 10 June. 1986. Menan skenk Sanlam-Prys aan UDF blad. Beeld 30 June. 1992. Focus on Menan du Plessis. The New Nation, 15 October. - Senekal, B.A.