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)