tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30045515295923819532024-03-13T05:26:23.261-07:00Free State InterviewsJerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-14994637478623811562013-10-23T00:32:00.001-07:002013-10-23T00:32:23.065-07:00'MBALI PRESS IS PERFORMING WONDERS' - Lothane<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-size: 36.0pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Mbali Press is
performing wonders” – Lothane<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Literary commentator, <b>Paul Lothane
</b>was on a whistle-stop visit to the City of Roses (Bloemfontein) this week.
However he could not hide his excitement at current literary trends in the Free
State…<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you think the FS is still doing
well in respect of Black literature</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">LOTHANE: Very
much so Ntate! In fact it seems to have reached incredible heights these days,
with many new books churned out. Apart from the new Jah Rose production book
(Peopress), Soqaga’s book on African Writing, Matshidiso Taleng's <i>SECRETS</i>, and Kanemanyanga’s latest book (<i>Chapindapasi</i>)…but of course by far the
most remarkable thing is the series of fine books churned out by Mbali Press.
Quite breath-taking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You have seen some of the firm’s new
titles?</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To be honest
Mbali is performing wonders. I don’t think anything like this has been seen
before in Black publishing…I mean last year Mbali brought out a remarkable work
like <i>Interviews with Effervescent Writers</i>.
Now it is not even a case of raising the bar; it is much more than that…almost
ten excellent books released in a year by Mbali! The National Arts Council grant has
bolstered quality in this wise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Which titles impressed you most</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pule
Lechesa’s<i>Bolaji in his pomp</i> is
fantastic. I read it; and with an international literary icon like Mongane
Wally Serote writing the Introduction to the book, you can see it sets the tone from
that…the Foreword is magnificent. I would recommend it for everybody to read.
Lechesa is doing great things…he also put together a book of short stories –
<i>Free State Brewed Short Stories</i> - where the contributors are powerful
wordsmiths…people like Maxwell Kanemanyanga, Bolaji, TselisoMasolane, Charles
Matorera, the always exciting George Rampai…the award-winning TebohoLetshaba
has also published his new book with Mbali Press.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is also a lady who published a
book of literary essays with Mbali this year, eh?</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Ja, that’s
Mme Mautjana’s<b>Throbbing SA Black
Literature</b>. A fantastic work. Another book I will recommend as a guide for
all those who love our writing. What is startling is that a writer like Lechesa
never rests on his laurels. Despite what he has achieved he keeps on working on
other major literary projects. I understand he is now doing some projects with
the great Maphalla…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You mean Dr K.P.D Maphalla, the
illustrious Sesotho writer?</span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The very
same one. I understand Mbali Press will soon be publishing the great man’s very
latest work; and Lechesa is also writing a study book on him; in the mould of
the one he has done on Ntate Bolaji…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">BOLAJI IN HIS POMP?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">(<i>laughing</i>)
Ja. Mbali Press is taking the literary world by storm. Thanks Ntate, but I must
run now…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-68093359264489725592013-06-21T00:42:00.002-07:002013-06-23T04:05:15.586-07:00MATSHIDISO TALENG ON HER BOOK, SECRETS<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Poet and Author <b>Matshidiso Taleng</b> has written and published a book titled <b>SECRETS</b>. It’s her first collection of
poems which she began writing from a very young age. Her passion for literature
has not only grown but has enabled her to reach heights she herself had not
imagined. In this interview, the feisty Taleng opens up about her views on the
world of literature and tells us about her inspiration for writing her book.
This Bloemfontein based writer has been performing her poetry around the Free
State for close to ten years now.</span></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How did you get into the world of
creative writing? How did it all start?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first time I was introduced to writing was in 2004. I was
invited to a poetry session by Tebogo “Naycha” Molatole, the founder of a group
called Beyond Mind Control Poetry Club. That is where I met other writers, such
as Lerato Nonyane, Simphiwe, Nkabiti, Onthusitse Molefi and that’s just some of
them. I began finding my passion for poetry and that is where my love for art
began. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I started writing poetry as well and I didn’t even think I
would end up publishing my book. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Poetry allowed me to reminisce about the things that happened
to me, the people close to me and to reflect on the good and bad things that
happened to me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I also used to listen to artists such as Jill Scott, Lauren
Hill, Floetry, the type of artists whose sounds are poetic and whose message
resonates. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Which books or authors over the years
inspired you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was
inspired by Dr Zakes Mda’s book, <i>Ways of
Dying</i> which is a book about a professional mourner who was paid to give life
to a funeral. What intrigued me about the book is its ability to tackle issues
that people do not take into consideration. The way he describes the scenes and
the way the plot thickens, is bound to keep you captivated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How long did it take you write your
debut book?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I had been
writing for almost all my life without realizing that it was actually poetry I
was doing. I began writing way before I even entered the poetry groups and so I
can’t clearly specify the exact period I started compiling my debut.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I decided to
edit some of my old poems and include them in my book. Many of the poems I have included in my book
include even those from 10 years back, signifying my growth and maturity as a
writer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You are a passionate person not
scared of revealing your innermost feelings to readers, is this part of your
personality; or can you separate your own identity from your own work?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some of my poems are from a personal experience and in some I
just put myself in somebody else’s shoes. So this means that sometimes I can
separate the two. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I wrote the poem <i>Secrets
</i>when I was in a depressed state and although I couldn’t write it then, I
found the strength to confront my past and pain and that enabled me to put it
out there. I was raped as a child and although I received the support from
people in my life, I still needed to come out and deal with what had been
haunting me. I am strong today because I feel nothing is holding me back and
talking about it has enabled me to regain my strength, giving me back my voice.
It’s not a lot of people who can open up about what they went through and so by
me coming out, I’m giving a voice to the voiceless. What I wanted them to know
is that they have nothing to be ashamed of. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Free State has a very vibrant
black literature scene, what do you feel about contributing your own quota to
this environment?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I feel that
every writer contributing their work to literature sustains literature as a
whole; therefore I, contributing to the environment will help other writers who
come after me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some of the
challenges faced by writers are that there is a lot of jealousy and we just
don’t support each other. This is a very small town for us to conspire against
each other; we need to build on our strengths and improve our weaknesses. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What I have
realized is that people seem to be discouraged from attending poetry sessions,
undermining the talent that is out there and by doing so, we are killing
literature. People do not read. We only focus on the books we are given in
schools and not taking much consideration to books that are available out
there. Some people choose to go to the library to get books instead of buying
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We as
artists need to make sure our voices are heard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Generally speaking, how can we
encourage more people to read more creative writing?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Creative
speaking (poetry) is the fun part of the art, by teaching them that we’ll be
teaching them creative writing. Encourage people to come to poetry sessions
which will inspire people to write more. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What are your future literary plans?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is to
read and write more about my mother tongue. I’m considering writing another
book; it’s not a done deal yet.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">CONCLUSION: </span></b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Take your craft seriously by reading
more to better your skills in writing and understanding literature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-33175667318261613872013-05-03T04:50:00.002-07:002013-05-03T05:03:19.836-07:00CHARMAINE KOLWANE: A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE<br />
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<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">CHARMAINE KOLWANE: A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE<o:p></o:p></span></i></b><br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Charmaine
Kolwane Mrwebi is a young female writer born and bred in the Free State. She
has published two books comprising a literary study; and poetry. Well known
literary critic and essayist Raphael Mokoena recently engaged in a quick
question-and-answer session with her… <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">RAPHAEL: <b>How do you feel having published two
important books – as a quite young Black SA lady?</b></span><b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">CHARMAINE: I
feel like I am in a reverie state and I still have to be awoken; yes I
have always had a dream of publishing for as long as I can remember, it is just
that the possibility of me publishing against</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">thousands of odds painted it as an
impossibility. I feel honoured that people, friends, God and circumstances in
my life have made my dream of publishing a reality. I feel like a small child
who received a Christmas present, I still go back and re-read my books in the
privacy of my room when no one is looking just to convince myself that it is done.</span><br />
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<b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">How
difficult is it for a black woman to be a writer these days?</span></b><br />
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">I will like to
believe that the difficulties that were supposed to be experienced by me
today as an black women were paid for during the yester years by
literature soldiers in South Africa and in the my</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Free State province. We all know what apartheid
did to our black writers and heroes who were dictated on what to write and when
to write. So over the years literature soldiers of old have fought for the</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">writing environment to be more accessible and
inviting to the up and coming writer, I mean when you think of Mr Mokopu Mofolo
, the first literature soldier who was the first black man to publish back then
,</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">for one to just imagine and try to think what he
had to endure to make his dream of writing a reality. Challenges facing me as a
black female writer include funding and to publish my book and also
distribution of my books. I had to finance the publication of my second book
and it has been an expensive investment as I had to pop out some thousands of rands
to invest in this baby of mine, and eventually I had to print less copies
because of my limited funds and as I myself , I had to go out and sell and
knock on doors that are welcoming and some not so welcoming. </span><br />
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<b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Who are the Black female writers who inspired you?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I was introduced to Bessie Head during my
matric in the year 2000 by my English teacher Mr Wesi, and I was smitten,
it was indeed love at first digest! I love Bessie Head ‘s style of writing and
how she endured discrimination and her personal crisis yet she was able to pen down
such moving stories. Mr OmoseyeBolaji introduced me to Tsitsi Dangarenga and
Buchi Emecheta six years ago and till today I am still in love with these
authors, I personally favour Buchi Emecheta because she was a single woman with
5 children in a foreign country but was able to defeat the odds and published
numerous book and got to graduate at University. Lebo Mashile is my personal
poet goddess who moves me with her performance</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">style.</span><br />
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<b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Pundits -
like myself - often wonder; why would you write a whole book (study) on Omoseye
Bolaji in particular?</span></b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I wrote a whole book on Omoseye Bolaji after
meeting him and reading most of his books, I was firstly inspired by his
human nature, as he is a humble individual who loves literature and people in
general, for</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I expected someone in his calibre to be arrogant
but he presented himself as a mentor - as he also introduced me to the writing
of my now favourite author Buchi Emecheta and Tsitsi Dangaragemba whom upon reading
their collections moved me as a young woman to press on against all forms of
challenges and sharpen my vocabulary and view on life. I also wrote about
his books as I love his style of writing and his hard work as an author.
His style of writing is informative, deep and filled with a lot of suspense , I
felt moved and privileged to give my views on his sophisticated works and
collection.</span><br />
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<b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">You have
inspired other black female writers to come out and write and publish. How do
you feel about this?</span></b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">I feel blessed and praise God that the seed
planted in me by literature heroes including Bolaji, Dr Zakes Mda ,Buchi Emecheta
has now born fruit and now includes galvanizing other writers to publish their work.
The literature fraternity is blessed when each one teaches the other and
eventually we are going to have a community of writers telling stories and
contributing towards solutions in our country. I feel that I have to keep
pushing and investing seed of literature continuously even in midst of
challenges.</span><br />
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<b><span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">From the internet we can see many articles, appreciations of your own writing. Do you
think black African writing should be judged by we Africans, or by the “white”
world largely ignorant of many aspects of our lives?</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">This is a very emotional question and I had to
think deep before I could answer, but after serious thought I have come to the conclusion
that as a writer it is of less importance who critiques and judges our work,
whether black or white; as a writer our main concern should be to write and not
concentrate on critic’s view on our work. And lastly we should march on and
acknowledge that as writers we shall receive critiques and compliments for
our works and I shall choose the latter… and let the compliments I receive heal
any pain and confusion provoked by the critic.</span><br />
<span style="background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Thank you</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-65626071712449470252013-03-19T07:35:00.003-07:002013-03-19T07:35:41.943-07:00TIISETSO THIBA SPEAKS ON LITERATURE<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em><strong>TIISETSO THIBA</strong> is a young man very much enamoured with the world of literature, especially poetry. Apart from being an established poet, he is also a short story writer and essayist. His works have appeared in many newspapers, journals, books and on the internet. Here he speaks about how he fell in love with writing, the mechanics, his inspiration, his favourite authors etc<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div>
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<strong>Perhaps a few words about yourself first?</strong><br />
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First of all I'm a meek soul, Originaly from the hamlet called Ganyesa in North Province. I'm a Writer/a performing poet,essayst, commenter on literature blogs. I Like media as a whole because is my<br />
igloo.<br />
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<strong>Any literary projects you are working on now?</strong><br />
I'm busy with my long over due book, and I can't declare when it will hit the shelves because I've realised that the more it is taking a while is there more is getting matured. I do believe I have to create<br />
hype for myself before I realesed my book, because I've seen many artists fail in this industry by rushing to release their book, and people didn't bother to buy their books 'cos they don't know them at all. E.g Sabata Mpho Mokae took something like a decade to release his debut Anthology, and his book was well received because society knew what he was doing.<br />
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<strong>What are some of the challenges artists face these days?</strong><br />
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The challenges that Artist are facing nowadays include Marketing for their work, The principles or Rules that draws a line regarding Artist expression, because if you can express yourself about situation bothering your society or nation as an artist you'll be restricted to perform in the future because they consider you as a rotten potato! This might affect others.<br />
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<strong>You have a lot of respect for FS Writing?</strong><br />
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Ha ha - Free State Is the province that made me who I am today in terms of growth of my writing and publicity, E.g newspapers like Free State News,NC Times, and Northern Cape Express published My work... and <em>Obrigado</em> to all of them.<br />
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<strong>Any way forward generally?</strong><br />
<br />
What could change Literature and industry and benefit the Artist is liberation of expressions with no boundaries or red lines not to cross by those who are in the helm. It was on the sunday 17-03-2013 on The<br />
Big Date Show, where the core topic was about the Artist and their challeges, it is on the show when Dr Mongane Wally Serote said Artists' rights must not violate others rights and as Artists we should decide<br />
to build the nation or destroy it. and it means the answer is up to any soul call Artist to verdict to build the nation or destroy it by their works or expressions.<br />
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<strong>Any role models?</strong><br />
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I personally look up to those who build and bring changes to the society and the nation we living in. I have plenty of names to quote but I'll avoid the dawn to shadow us before the we wrap up our interview and I dedicate my revere to those who took part in building my career. Respect to all of you My Kings.<br />
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<strong>Which books are you currently reading?</strong><br />
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The books I'm reading at the moment include <em>'To Every Birth Its Blood </em>by Mongane Wally Seretote, <em>Indaba My Children</em> by Credo Mutwa, Nko Ya Kgomo by T.L.Tsambo. I believe in reading 2 to 3 books in a month. Much Respect to Vigorous Writers and power to the Artist....<br />
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Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-70677333088510600612013-02-01T07:05:00.001-08:002013-02-18T04:27:36.805-08:00Omoseye Bolaji talks about his new book, It Couldn’t Matter Less (2013) <br />
<b>Book: It Couldn't Matter Less</b><br />
<b>Author: Omoseye Bolaji</b><br />
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<b>Isbn:<span style="font-family: "Dialog","serif"; font-size: 10.0pt;"> 978-0-620-55980-5</span></b> </div>
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<b>Congratulations on your new book, Mr Bolaji! It is remarkable that you have been consistent as an author for many years – averaging a new book at least, every year. Is it a deliberate policy?</b><br />
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BOLAJI: Probably. I think that those of us who claim to be writers should try to be consistent, come out with new books fairly regularly. Zakes Mda has been doing this for decades; he is a real icon. I don’t think writers should become complacent or rest on their laurels. Take Pa Chinua Achebe for example – he published his first classic, Things fall apart in 1958; and at over 80 he has just released a new work, There was a country (2012) Writers, I believe should churn something of quality out on a regular basis even if it be literary essays or clusters of poems…the range of literature is wide; as we have genres like poetry, fiction, drama, literary criticism, general writings, etc<br />
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<b>Yes. Your new book can best be described as “general writings” – short writings of yours over the last couple of years or so. You have put these writings together in a book, just as you did with Miscellaneous Writings (2011). Your range is fairly diverse; but as usual lots of the writings are about literature and sport</b><br />
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BOLAJI (smiling) 'Guilty as charged'!<br />
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<b>Seriously, in many of your writings you make allusions to famous literary works most of our people do not know about – like the one you wrote on Revenge, where you brought in Moby Dick, a classic work overseas. Is it also deliberate on your part?</b><br />
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BOLAJI: I don’t think so; perhaps it is a mélange of many things. We learn a lot from classical works, you know; we can’t cut ourselves off from what is eclectic and excellent indeed. Revenge is a motif that runs through the work, Moby Dick…by the way at least two people contacted me and said for the first time in their lives they sought out and read the book, Moby Dick, thanks to my column.<br />
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<b>In another of your essays, also in this new book, you refer to the fact that Africa a huge continent with over 50 countries has had just a few Nobel laureates, whereas the United States of America one country has had hundreds! It is a shocking revelation…</b><br />
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BOLAJI: I think I have heard this question before! (laughing) What can one say? We Africans must realize that the gulf between us and the so-called advanced, Eurocentric world is very huge indeed, a mammoth chasm really, despite the efforts of a number of Africans. In respect of literature we must pull out all the stops to ensure that our people read much more…and our writers must avoid complacency which is a bug bear. <br />
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<b>In another essay in your new book, you compare – or is conflate a better word – two white ladies, Mary Slessor and Emily Hobhouse, both who went out of their way to better conditions in Africa. Yet your write-up admits that most South Africans would know Hobhouse, whilst Nigerians would know Mary Slessor. I never heard about Slessor, e.g until I read your piece; then I did research on her and admired her remarkable life…what can be done to bridge such ignorance even among educated people?.</b><br />
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BOLAJI: We must continue to learn on a daily basis and realise there are countless things we won’t know about anyway. On a facile level we can state for example: Flora Nwapa was the first Nigerian woman to publish an authentic novel; and Miriam Tlali was the first SA black woman to publish a novel. But the shocking aspect comes in when we realize that not many so-called lovers of literature in these respective countries know this elementary fact! I think we should continue to encourage the younger writers in our midst who relish learning regularly about the world of literature; I have people like Tiisetso Thiba, Charmaine Kolwane and Masakala in mind<br />
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<b>But Charmaine is an established writer…</b><br />
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BOLAJI: Yes but she realizes, as we should all do, that we can learn more, much more on a regular basis. She really enjoys reading and basking at literary occasions. She is a researcher to boot. I pity half-baked writers who go around strutting like peacocks because they have published maybe a book or two. I think writers should always regard themselves as learners…there are so many great writers out there who still remain humble.<br />
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<b>In this your new book, and in your many other writings, you pay tribute to many accomplished writers…</b><br />
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BOLAJI: Yes, and there are many others I admire intensely that I have never actually mentioned. Take Britain’s Peter Ackroyd for example; a superb superb writer: prolific novelist, essayist, poet, biographer. He has published scholarly acclaimed studies on iconic writers like Charles Dickens – books of over 600 pages! And his fiction, novels etc are outstanding too. If such writers can remain humble after doing it all, why should those who are just learning to crawl literally, get carried away?<br />
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<b>Thank you Mr Bolaji. I must say that just like your collection, Miscellaneous Writings, this new book of yours is very good and a mine of information for us all.</b><br />
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BOLAJI: Thanks<br />
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Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-62162938547033447722012-12-20T06:33:00.001-08:002012-12-20T06:33:04.386-08:00THE LOWDOWN ON THABO MAFIKE CUP<strong>THABO MAFIKE CUP A SUCCESS AGAIN!</strong><br />
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<u>Interview by Raselebeli Khotseng</u><br />
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<strong>Question: Who’s Thabo Mafike?</strong><br />
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Answer: Mafike is a pastor, Author and Motivational Speaker<br />
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<strong>What’s the purpose of the tournament?</strong><br />
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To decrease escalation of crime caused by gangsters, especially in Bultfontein through sport<br />
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<strong>How did you come to this conclusion/Inspired you?</strong><br />
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I was inspired by the arrest of my cousin who was a member of a gangster in Bultfontein. Most of these gangsters’ members are soccer players and this made me to decide to come up with this project so as to rehabilitate them.<br />
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<strong>When did this project begin?</strong><br />
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It started four years ago, around 2009.<br />
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<strong>Who are the participants here?</strong><br />
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Youth from Bultfontein and North West (Makwasi). Those gangsters’ members who are not participating playing a role of supporting role. Moreover, this is important as it is occurred during festive season when crime is escalating.<br />
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<strong>Are there any other participants except those mentioned?</strong><br />
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Yes, this year we have included ladies’ soccer and athletics<br />
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<strong>How will you start the tournament?</strong><br />
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It will start by a lecture on Wednesday the 12th – 14th at Town Library. On Friday the 14th at 12 a.m it will be an open ceremony at Phahameng Hall where councilors, community and Ikgawatletle Primary school children together with its school majorettes will be addressed by the mayor in his opening ceremony<br />
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<strong>Any sponsors supporting you?</strong><br />
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Yes, NYDA will give vouchers to young business people and talk to them about business success. Another is Channel for Life Network from Jo’burg will partner with them and sponsor metals and trophies for men of the matches. TNT sponsors the main trophy for overall winner whilst Visible Speed will invest thirty thousand rand into the tournament for three years. Herbal Life sponsored sports bottles for the second and third winners; UOVS will address young ones on farming methods. The Tswelopele Municipality in Bultfontein has agreed to provide accommodation and stadium for participants; and Lefika radio Station will cover the events in general for the populace.<br />
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<strong>What are your achievements thus far?</strong><br />
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From its inception every year two students are sent to tertiary institutions, whilst P.C Tech gave out some learnerships. Presently, three players from Theunissen have been scouted by BFN Celtic.<br />
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<strong>What’s your goal in this venture?</strong><br />
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It is to make this a qualifying tournament that creates jobs for unemployed youth and also to meet Oprah Winfrey to register some Free State girls in her girls’ School…lastly, I intend to visit Brazil if God allows me, to meet a team that will scout players for 2014 Tournament.<br />
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Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-61715201711145602212012-11-04T03:42:00.000-08:002012-11-07T04:49:19.801-08:00Meet Phinithi James Ntelekoa<br />
<strong><u>Bloem's own diamond roughing it!</u></strong><br />
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<strong>You have been making waves in literary circles even before your works are formally published! How did it all start for you?</strong><br />
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I was born 1983 October 24 in a village called Motsemotjha, Mafeteng, Lesotho. Around the age of 3 or 4 my grandmother, older sister to my maternal grandmother, took me with her back to Bloemfontein when she came for a visit. Growing up in Bloem meant adopting its dialect, and it's one interesting point because in Lesotho they have names for literally everything under the sun that comprise their fauna and flora. One other distinct feature of Basotho language is their affinity for endonyms or autonyms (for patriotic sentiments, of course). Back to me...I went to school 'till standard one; my other grandmother came to fetch me back to Lesotho. Leaving your lil' life behind isn't a cakewalk but I 'assimilated' back to my native habitat easily. Like most boys my age, I duly rocked up my herdboy gear - blanket, wellingtons, and a stick - to join my peers at the meadows with our family cattle (talk about coming to greener pastures). <br />
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<strong>And how did you really get introduced to the world of books, creative works?</strong><br />
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It was during this period in my life that I discovered an old 'trunk' stashed under my grandparents' bed. Inside was the world I would frequent a la escapism; a range of used books of literary and scholarly merit tagged with my mother’s and her siblings’ names. Books are not government-funded in Lesotho. Sadly, gradation of syllabuses defeated the purpose of keeping ‘em for the next generation. I devoured all but the algebraic, but even these would spot occasional "if Peter bought 5 apples..." of which I'd search the entire math books for. If there’s a scale for literature, I’m unashamedly a plus size. I used to have a feast back then. The ones with pictures would further nuance my reading experience. Of all books that I read, I fell for Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. I still read it even today and I never cease to discover something new, so every time I grab it a literary expedition ensues; the more you learn, the more your extra-sensory perception heightens.<br />
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<strong>What about your early education?</strong><br />
<br />
After 5 years I came back to SA as my mother got married this side of the Mohokare River. I went to Setswana primary school called Kgonyane in Phahameng. I was so good in Setswana once the teacher got irate at his class for being outdone by Mosotho: he flogged the entire class, except me, and sent us all outside. ‘Went to high school in Tsoseletso, then CUT (Technikon Free State then) to study Office Management. I dropped out on the 2nd year due to financial constraints, did some shady office work for few companies, and discovered my love for graphic design and sound engineering in the process as I'd download softwares and fool around with them. Now I dropped office work for Graphic Design and Sound.<br />
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<strong>Obviously you have augmented the work of other (FS) writers, haven't you?</strong><br />
<br />
DVD for Hector Kunene's book launch was post-produced by me. I conceptualized and designed an anthology for UOFS lecturer called In The Potter's Hands (my poems to this project were rejected for no apparent reasons). I volunteer for an international NGO called www.amisrael.org.il - It's under the umbrella of this very initiative that I'll be going to coupla township high schools in Bloem to record poetry for Amisrael Poets for Peace (Africa) CD+Book, to be available from our Bloem libraries. These will embrace students and average poetry enthusiasts.<br />
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<strong>You are making progress in this wise?</strong><br />
<br />
Remarkably so, as Bloemfontein libraries were happy to assist me in any way they can. You and your readers are welcome to submit their (strictly) ‘positive’ poems at Amisrael Poets for Peace (Africa) on Facebook. The criterion for submissions is social cohesion. I volunteer my services (music production and design) to Tessa Muller's projects (Young Legend's Academy and Mangaung Cultural Collective) from UOFS as part of doing my bit to empower women on the move. I volunteer my graphic design services to Trevor Barlow Library and there are few pipeline projects. I have collaborated with Brigitte Poirson, author and former lecturer (France/England), where I conceptualized an anthology (its title and design) and contributed few poems. Friends from South America (Chile) are awaiting my arrival to exhibit what I've been carrying out in my country a la Cannes.<br />
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<strong>It is also understood you are also putting a novel together?</strong><br />
<br />
Yes, I am busy with a novel, "My People". If it wasn’t for the mind-numbing research it demands I believe your question would have been slightly different…probably quoting from it. I found a secret, if not an epiphany, to writing a good novel: if you don’t feel xenogeneic to the characters, you’re not there yet! *ahem*<br />
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<strong>You obviously have a bright future ahead in the world of writing...</strong><br />
<br />
I sincerely hope so. Literature comes second to my first love, Sound & Design. I’m my worst critic as am never satisfied. Phillippa Yaa De Villiers advised me to ‘let go’. BTW, I have a collection of poems enough for an anthology and I RARELY write. I noticed that I can write an anthology within a week’s time. I’m both visceral and organic – I worry about the art of semantics later – when you write to impress it becomes perfunctory. But, I want my novel to precede the likelihood of my releasing an anthology.<br />
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<strong>What are your general thoughts on literature?</strong><br />
<br />
Just a two cents: one thing I loved (and still do) about literary zeitgeist of the time, after every read there would be this lingering aura around me, though I understood one-third of diction employed, as though I've been to some idyllic, picturesque place 'far, far away.' It's unfortunate (for me) that literature is by nature fluid, susceptible to evolution; I terribly miss authorial styles of yesteryear, not classics per se. These seem to write in a different dimension from your post-modern authors. But, to its credit, post-modernism literary landscape is much deepened, now. For example, I'm a hay-uge fan of review aggregators (tech-insight and savvy, books, movies, music etc). They are repositories for [witzardry] - portmanteau I coined, thank you very much - and I'm their apprentice. Another thing that I find uncanny about classic literature is what I like to call quasi-cinematography. Today, if a writer lacks this quality I read him once, from there it's designated disposable (I give it away), lest the story offset this literary abomination with a compelling and involving yarn.<br />
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<strong>How far are you with the novel?</strong><br />
<br />
I can't say for sure, but all I can say is I have about two-hundred and something pages of drafty odd bits and pieces to compress into 100 pages. I hope to immortalize Free State with "My People". Anthropological as it may be, it’s quintessentially ecclectic. Also, I would like to see it landing rights on both sides of the pond - cinema and tv. Bro Omoseye read an excerpt...you ask him for a ‘theatrical trailer’.<br />
<br />
I rarely protest in poetry, if ever that. I write solely with creativity in mind, so some of my works may be tad vapid, and some elliptical, but they all help to weave an intricate tapestry of my layered personality. For brevity challenged individual, I have obsession for Haibuns and Haikus - that infinitely concentrated moment of perception condensed into 17 syllables of verse (I can’t remember where I purloined this phrase) – and I’m not a huge fan of odyssey- esque works though I do acknowledge the creative feat behind them. More often than not, when I do write poetry, the goal is to conjure that unique brand of awe esoteric to the audience watching every magician's move but then remark, "woa, how did he do that?!" Exhibit A:<br />
<br />
Semiology<br />
<br />
Abstract<br />
<br />
Or avant garde <br />
<br />
Forms, colours and textures,<br />
<br />
Either undulating or flexuous,<br />
<br />
To enchant the aural or ocular<br />
<br />
With their own artistic vernacular<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Optics<br />
<br />
Of the semiotics <br />
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Achieved with a brush stroke, <br />
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Sculpted stone or in harmonic tone, <br />
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Through our social lenses, mirrors or prisms<br />
<br />
Exhibit our collective poetic isms <br />
<br />
ПАГЕ IV <br />
<br />
By the way, our National Laureate, Ntate Keorapetse Kgositsile and Dr. Bantu Steve Biko touched a bit on 'semiotics', and I think I'm one of the few who noticed this intellectual feat. I don't want to get into this subject so to challenge your readers to ascertain my pseudo-dissertation for themselves. I keeps it elliptical like that. (side note: don't edit out "keeps") <br />
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<strong>About the anthology you've done with Brigitte Poirson, though 'brevity' isn't your best trait, can you give us a synoptic review?</strong><br />
<br />
That’s a good one. Speaking of which, here is an ode I penned for Via Grapevine, a production of various poets from around the globe. This serve also as Exhibit B for the 'awe' statement I made earlier. (see the link below for free PDF download of VG)<br />
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St Lear: Ode to 'Via Grapevine'<br />
<br />
VIA Grapevine <br />
<br />
Is our baseline<br />
<br />
VISA to unchartered galaxies<br />
<br />
Stave of legends and galleries <br />
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VISTA of memory lanes viewed from places hypeathral <br />
<br />
Some are sepulchral, and others scriptural<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
VITALS that sustain our inner cosmos <br />
<br />
Imbued with Ethos, Pathos and Logos<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
ESTIVAL are others, like a 'good season' for Pinot Noir<br />
<br />
Authored in black and white, like an auteur of Urban Noir<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
SALIVATE at this titivated Cipher's Digest<br />
<br />
A banquet consummated at the Rhyme Fest<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
VARIETALS with earthy African notes are on the house<br />
<br />
Be imbibed in spirits and let your sixth sense be aroused<br />
<br />
ПАГЕ IV<br />
<br />
<strong>NATE IV (nate the fourth), is it your real name if not what does it denote?</strong> <br />
<br />
Yes, it's my personal brand, nom de plume if you like; it’s an anagram of 'native' as well. I love anagrams and my novel is peppered with those. Anagram for Sesotho is 'soothes'. It is said there's uncanny truth in anagrams and all life’s wisdom is in them. For example, anagram for Clint Eastwood is “old west action”, for Parliament “Partial men”. Just Google "Truth in anagrams". Now, just to show off: <br />
<br />
Via + S = Visa + t = Vista + L = Vitals + e = Estival + a = Salivate + r = Varietals<br />
<br />
My ego is yours to lavish with awe-some adulations. I don't know if you have noticed but I show Hip-hop influences. There are good stuff out there, though rare and far in between. Oh ja…I can read Spanish, too. No praises….tough…tough audience tonight.<br />
<br />
<strong>Thanks for your time. I enjoyed talking to you. Please, stop flying below the FS literary radar.</strong><br />
<br />
Why thank you. I'll try not to. Thanks for the electronic interview; I'm monosyllabic and socially awkward in person. Thanks to Omoseye Bolaji and Pule Lechesa - they've spurred me on to take writing seriously. I give much love to my friends, Libby Stroik, (University of Winsconsin, USA), Brigitte Poirson, my sister in arms, and to all who comprise the repertoire of Free State orature (oral + literature). A term introduced by the Ugandan scholar, Pio Zirimu. <br />
<br />
<strong>Any last thoughts?</strong><br />
<br />
Just for levity, if I may, do socks give you nigh-unbearable discomfort in summer as they do to me? No? I can't believe I'm the only one in the predicament of this fashion. Yes, my mantra…”don’t take yourself too seriously: Carpe Diem!” <br />
<br />
http://www.filehosting.org/file/details/390699/Via_Grapevine_1.pdf<br />
<br />
<br />Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-73943957968614957542012-10-25T06:04:00.000-07:002012-10-25T06:04:20.657-07:00Dr. Cool shines at Macufe Poetree show!<br />
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On the 11th of October 2012 Macufe poetree took place at PACOFS Ofm Downstage. <br />
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.<br />
<br />
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 <strong>Seiso 'Dr. Cool' Mpete</strong>, a poet from Bloemfontein who never disappoints with his performances anywhere in the country.<br />
<br />
This is what he had to say about the Macufe poetree night:<br />
<br />
“Thanks to Macufe and Jah-Rose productions for giving us SA poets a night to always remember.”<br />
<br />
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.. <br />
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.”<br />
<br />
“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 <br />
and supporters who came across the Country to support us, we are who we arebecause of your support. <br />
<br />
"To my fellow Artists... I cote myself hahahaha... If you want to stay the best in what you do 'NEVER ALOW YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS TO LEGENDERELIZE YOUR MIND OR IT WILL ALL BE OVER.' close cote hahahah...”<br />
<br />
Congratulations to Jah-Rose productions and Big ups to the Doctor of words Dr. Cool!!!!! <br />
<br />
Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-10347430216765409332012-08-23T00:21:00.000-07:002012-08-26T23:42:27.613-07:00Omoseye Bolaji: A voyage around his literary work<br />
Interview with Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga, the author of the book, <em>Omoseye Bolaji: a voyage around his literary work...</em><br />
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<strong>Congratulations on your new book, Mr Soqaga. What inspired you to write it?</strong></div>
<br />
<br />
Thanks, whoever may meet with Mr Omoseye Bolaji knows very well that he/she will be somewhat motivated to write or get interested in literature. Fundamentally I drew my inspiration from Omoseye Bolaji years ago, and I never looked back<br />
<br />
<strong>I understand it took you five years to write this book. What type of research did you do?</strong><br />
<br />
To make research about a prolific writer like Omeseye Bolaji is not an easy task because often he produces new literary materials. However I was able to gather information about him from libraries and on the internet and slowly and steadily the book took shape.<br />
<br />
<strong>How did you got involved in what critic Lechesa calls "quintessential literature"; knowing so much about books and African writers.</strong><br />
<br />
I appreciate reading so much and the more I read books, the more I need to read another one. Moreover Africa is my birth place and I am absolutely boastful about its heritage and values! <br />
<br />
<strong>Will you agree that African writers are not recognised enough?</strong><br />
<br />
Definitely, our African societies are not familiar with African writers. For instance, you can go to our schools and ask the pupils about our local black African writers, you will see that most of the pupils are not popular with our writers. <br />
<br />
<strong>What did you learn during the process of writing the book? </strong><br />
<br />
To write a book, especially about an author who has successfully written over 25 books like Omoseye Bolaji is not a simple thing; but however I was able to apprehend that details are very important. The research was illuminating and quite fantastic although I was frustrated when I lost the original more comprehensive manuscript ...to be honest I still lament this.<br />
<br />
<strong>How do you feel seeing so many positive reviews of your book by fine critics?</strong><br />
<br />
Honestly this is my first book to be published, and I do know critics and reviewers will be interested in it. For now I am totally motivated and inspired by those reviewers they; also open my eyes to the errors I might have committed.<br />
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<br />
<strong> </strong>Ishmael Soqaga (above)<br />
<br />
<strong>Some reviewers say you over-praised protagonist, Bolaji in the book. Do you agree?</strong><br />
<br />
Why not? When someone is doing a great and wonderful job in Africa we celebrate and rejoice with him/her. Why can’t we admire and praise our heroes and heroines when history books tell us about them?<br />
<br />
<strong>What is the importance of literature; and do you plan to write another book?</strong><br />
<br />
Literature is the well of life for any society, it can be taught from the childhood at home and it contains profound moral lessons of life. Our past African oral literature has now been converted to formal written language; therefore it is important to retain that precious treasure. When further ideas develop in my mind I don’t think I have to hesitate to write them down.<br />
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Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-5879992117716098542012-03-25T23:41:00.000-07:002012-03-25T23:48:51.411-07:00INTERVIEWS WITH EFFERVESCENT WRITERS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>A new book, <b>Interviews with effervescent writers</b> has just been published. Although a national, international work, the book has a remarkable Free State presence. The Mpumalanga based editor of the work, Christine Mautjana, here talks about how the book came into fruition...</i>
<b>What inspired you to produce this work, Interview with effervescent writers?</b>
Christine: To be frank with you, I have always wanted to put together a book of interviews with cross section of writers. I co-operated with other enthusiastic writers all over the place in making the dream come true.
<b>I understand there was a "weeding-out" process – that many writers who should have featured in the book were not used in the end.</b>
Christine: Yes, in the beginning we had about twenty five writers. I have studied other books of this ilk and wanted this one to be rather different. The focus was on the quality. I did not want repetition...or banality. Some of the authors’ answers did not contribute much to literature, and regretfully they had to be excluded.
<b>To what extent were you inspired by the works: African writers talking and Talking with African writers? </b>
Christine: Yes I was inspired by them. Those were, and still are, classics of African Literature. What I did in this now work was de-emphasize the role of the interviewer so that there would be no confusion and there would be a cohesive flow.
<b>I also noted that you singled out individuals’ quotes from each a writer as a sort of preclude to their interviews. Why did you do this?</b>
Christine: (Smiling) You know, A work like this is also a learning process for the editor. Every writer, and their perspective is different For example in the book, writer Teboho states facetiously that Sesotho readers are as scarce as finding a sober man in a bar! This made me laugh my head off!
<b>How much of a learning process was this book for you?</b>
Christine: I discovered that there are so many writers out there. Writers are inspired by a number of disparate factors. As a woman, I was very much impressed how widely a woman like NMM Duman has read and has a very fertile imagination. Yet she has a low profile, unlike so many limited writers always running around for publicity.
<b>I can see you have included a few white writers in this work. Did you find them much different from their black counterparts?</b>
Christine: No, the impression I got is that writers are more or less the same irrespective of their colour. They love to see their ideas in print, they all wish that much more people will read in general... and they also wish to purify their society – Maxwell Kanenyama is a good example of this, as he is always preaching in his books..in his short stories<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Guk-p2he2eY/T3APd1wjcsI/AAAAAAAAAFk/jNhqP-q4amI/s1600/Christine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="166" width="221" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Guk-p2he2eY/T3APd1wjcsI/AAAAAAAAAFk/jNhqP-q4amI/s320/Christine.jpg" /></a></div>Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-88057875628313118612012-01-26T07:14:00.000-08:002012-01-26T23:22:33.320-08:00"MY GLEE OVER MY NEW BOOK" - Pule Lechesa<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oH2rJE0XL-k/TyFyUbeOkhI/AAAAAAAAAEc/5_VIrGTGOE8/s1600/Lechesa%2Bnew%2Bbook.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 110px; height: 166px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oH2rJE0XL-k/TyFyUbeOkhI/AAAAAAAAAEc/5_VIrGTGOE8/s320/Lechesa%2Bnew%2Bbook.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701964298525250066" /></a><br /><strong>By Nthabiseng Lisele</strong><br /><br /><em><strong>PULE LECHESA</strong>, hailed by many literary pundits as a literary giant of note in the Free State and abroad has succeeded against all odds to carve a niche for himself as a fecund writer of substance. He has done so by churning out impressive literary essays, a book of poetry, short stories and so forth. In this latest remarkable book, Essays on Free State Black literature, Lechesa outlines the breath-taking literary revolution that has taken place in the Free State province – which has happened on a rare scale unlike any other community in Black Africa. He also focuses on the contribution of the Free State writers at the grassroots level to mainstream poetry.</em><br /><br />Here <strong>Nthabiseng Lisele</strong> fired a few questions at the excited author….<br /><br /><strong>This is your fifth book, how do you feel about your latest release?</strong><br /><br />I’m very excited because it’s been long working on this book and finally it’s out! I’m more relieved that it’s been released and focuses on quintessential literature.<br /><br /><strong>What is special about this book as distinct from other books you’ve written before?</strong><br /><br />This book celebrates the good work of the previous writers so you can say inter alia I’m honouring many of them on my book – and adding to the corpus of literature in Africa.<br /><br /><strong>How long did it take you to write and complete this book?</strong><br /><br />It took me 5 years to complete it. For the past 5 years I’ve been compiling essays and reviewing other authors which brought the completion of this book.<br /><br /><strong>What do you think is the importance of Literature in the society?</strong><br /><br />There is an odious saying that: “if you want to hide important news from a Black man, hide it in the book!”. So I believe that if our society can indulge more into reading, and it can be any book, they can get knowledge. And Literature is playing that role of informing, educating, feeding the mind of the society with brilliant ideas and broad knowledge.<br /><br /><strong>You are known worldwide as a tough, ruthless, literary critic. Are you not afraid of writers hating you?</strong><br /><br />No, ma’am (laughing)… Their hatred won’t stop me from writing but instead will help me correct errors I might have committed obliviously. Writers love to massage their egos and in civilized societies it is the norm that if writers are wrong they should be corrected. For an example, if there’s a certain chapter I stated that it is winter season but only to find out that I said one of the story’s characters was wearing a sleeveless shirt, I’m confusing my readers and I deserve to be corrected.<br /><br /><strong>Do you think you are playing an important role in the advancement of Literature?</strong><br /><br />Yes, I know so; because knowledge is power and people need to be empowered. And history of Literature should be run throughout this present generation until another generation takes over.<br /><br /><strong>Briefly, who are the major writers that you have featured in your latest book?</strong><br /><br />Hector Kunene, Jafta JahRose, NMM Duman, Sipho Mnyakeni, Omoseye Bolaji – I have many essays and interviews with him in the book; Deon-Simphiwe Skade, Flaxman Qoopane, Ntate Kgang Motheane. Most writers are at least mentioned; including young Teboho Masakala...there are many literary allusions worldwide in the book.<br /><br /><strong>How will you describe the current state of writing in the Free State?</strong><br /><br />I think we are on the right track. For example, recently, celebrated international critics like Achal Prabhala have noted the impressive literary trends here and continue to put us on the map. The world, Universities, internet etc continue to highlight the great things happening here in the Free State.<br /><br /><strong>Congratulations again</strong><br />.<br /><strong>* Published in Free State News</strong>Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-54960694774652638522012-01-15T02:36:00.000-08:002012-01-15T02:48:41.715-08:00CHARLES MATORERA ON THE WORLD OF WRITING<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-or5nr8Jrf7w/TxKvAB9lA8I/AAAAAAAAADs/wzudGz7hBUk/s1600/Iwe.bmp"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 144px; height: 108px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-or5nr8Jrf7w/TxKvAB9lA8I/AAAAAAAAADs/wzudGz7hBUk/s320/Iwe.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697808893638673346" /></a><br /><em>He has apparently just burst onto the literary scene with a string of profound short stories. But <strong>Charles Matorera</strong>, a Free State based Zimbabwean has always relished the world of reading and writing, as he explains briefly here...</em><br /><br /><strong>JERRY:</strong> You are making your mark as a writer. Going down memory lane how did it start; from your youth perhaps?<br /><br /><strong>CHARLES MATORERA:</strong> I think I inherited the story telling talents of my grandpa who was a WW2 hero; he could tell you a story a dozen times and you could still be interested to hear it again. Most of my stories I could tell people and they would ask "why can't you write a book?"<br /><br />Also at school they encouraged us to read anything, even lost newspapers. At home it wasn't easy as they were subsistence farmers... they always had a job for you, so any reading would have to be only at night.<br /><br /><strong>Who are your favourite writers?</strong><br /><br />Charles Mungoshi, Chenjerai Hove, Shima Chinodya, Ngugi wa Thiong, Chinue Achebe, Mahommed Takur Gabar, Mtutuzeli Matshoba, Wilbur Smith, Robert Ludlum hey the list is endless...<br /><br /><strong>Zimbabwe has a strong vibrant literary tradition. You must be proud of this as a Zimbabwean?</strong><br /><br />Zimbabwe is literarily rich; the British Council, Zimbabwe Publishing House helped a lot - but nowadays politics has intervened into literature and things have largely fallen apart. Yes we have got great talents like Marechera and Dangarembga and a lot in local languages but the economy essentially killed the market.<br /><br /><strong>We hear everytime about daunting challenges facing African writing. What is your take on this?</strong><br /><br />African writing needs a face lift, there are no publishing houses who go deep in talent search and try to develop new writers. The governments are also not helping, so we do people who take writing as a career. But surely, we do have talent; so much so in the Free State here!<br /><br /><strong>Some give in to despair and cynicism over this. What will you say is the importance of literature anyway?</strong><br /><br />The importance of literature to me is:<br /><br />a)the footprints of our lives to the future generations like the bible, rock paintings and hieroglyphics tells us about the past.<br />b) entertainment - we mostly read to enjoy<br />c)education, it's hard to con a literate person<br /><br /><strong>What are your next literary plans, dreams?</strong><br /><br />I would like to go into novels when in the future. I would like to promote literature in Africa, helping the hidden talents to get exposure. The final dream is to one day help convert the great African stories into motion pictures. Thank YouJerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-44643716452858251102011-12-05T03:36:00.000-08:002011-12-05T03:40:45.107-08:00SOQAGA ON SOUTH AFRICAN SPORTS<strong><strong>Mzwandile Ishmael Soqaga</strong> is a well known Mangaung-based essayist, author and activist. He is renowned for his Pan-Africanist vision. But he is also a sports enthusiast. Here he ventilates his feelings on SA Sports…<br /><br /></strong>What is your overview of the sports scenario so far?<br /><br />South Africa is a very diverse and heterogeneous country that is always striving to work for unity through diversity. Everybody, beginning from the government, business people and the people at the grassroots level are mostly and habitually affectionate in the event of their country and they often exhibit such sentiments so blatantly. South Africa is a country that grows in gargantuan fashion despite its social setbacks and challenges. It is gratifying that the legacy of 2010 soccer World Cup left behind us beautiful stadiums.<br /><br />Although South Africa is a dramatic country that is bountiful to the tourists and to the foreign investors, however it still needs to accelerate and bolster its effort to be a winning nation. In fact, South Africans are people who are not apathetic to sports but the crisis is that the people are always disappointed when their national team performs badly. Usually, I don’t think there will be a nation that will like its team to lose so many times! <br /><br /><strong>You have a soft spot for the Springboks, don’t you?</strong><br /><br />Among popular sports in South Africa I can see that the Springboks (national Rugby squad) is one of the teams that is keenly determined to satisfy its nation. The nation and the world have seen how they played in the rugby world cup recently and in actual fact they are used to hoisting world cup trophies as champions. They were champions in 1995 when they defeated New Zealand All Blacks, and in 2007 they also made the world mark by beating England in the finals. First and foremost, the team was aware that the whole nation was behind them and they never played to bring sadness on the people’s hearts, the springboks played with great zest and with full of energy to ensure that even if feasible they could lose and everybody will accept the outcome with satisfaction.<br />What I really like to compliment is that during, and before the Rugby World Cup which New Zealand won, the rugby team was utterly aware that they have the support of the nation. Much credit must be given to the Minister of sports, Fikile Mbalula who was in the forefront as a sterling paradigm and advocate of sports as the minister. Through his contributions, the nation responded positively to the Springbok action. The Minister ensured that when the World Cup started, all South African became green and gold. South Africans bought the boks’ merchants to show support for their rugby national team and meanwhile the market was booming. Moreover, what was pleasing mostly was to witness how people in general showed attention in watching the game on television, talking about the boks matches on the street, radios, in the press, working places and elsewhere. It was wonderful and fabulous indeed.<br />Certainly, if the Boks’ were playing on the soil of South Africa, definitely they were going to defend their championship status successfully, and ultimately they were actually going to produce the appropriate results to make their nation proud and satisfied. I am very content by the enthusiasm and seriousness of the springboks when they played. Their commitment showed that the team understood what it means to play for their country.<br /><br /><strong>These days Bafana Bafana (national soccer squad) seem to be in the doldrums?</strong><br /><br />Ah! Unlike Bafana Bafana, it is apparent that our national soccer team is the draw players even in their own backyard. They don’t demonstrate any authentic play to the nation. Their loss in Zimbabwe this week was a poignant illustration. It becomes so excruciating to watch Bafana nowadays; sometimes one can sadly recall the momentous and brilliant yesteryear of Doctor Khumalo, Mark Fish and Philemon Masinga etc. Bafana of 1996 were very committed and competent, but currently we witness disappointments and the dwindling standard of football in our national team especially in international matches and African championship. No one can forget that great moment unless someone is ignorant and envious. The magic boots of legs of “Thunder” Jerry Skhosana did a spectacular work for Orlando Pirates in Abidjan Cote D’Voire on 16 December 1995 when ORlando Pirates were crowned champions of Africa after recording an entirely unexpected 1-0 win away to the might of ASEC Mimosa. <br />Similar with Bafana Bafana’s triumph in 1996, almost the South African people celebrated with gusto with Orlando Pirates. During those days South African celebrated as if it was the New Year. Last year, South Africa hosted soccer World Cup, one of the most lavish and exciting tournaments for the first time on African soil, and Bafana’s performance was not convincing. When we won the bid, Africa and the world celebrated with us; much infrastructural development took place. It was sizzling, and the people’s anticipation was so high, people were expecting a lot. <br />Overall what transpired ultimately was a great grief and disillusionment. Bafana was knocked out in the first round and it became the first team to fail to qualify for the second round as the host in the history of soccer World Cup. Furthermore, despite the exploits of Ghana Africa did not pull up so many trees at the tournament which saw Spain crowned the champions in the soil of Africa. Verily, as South Africans we must appreciate the fact that losing games is not the fault of the coach. It will be naïve to make noises about the apparent inefficiency of the coach; the current national coach Pitso Mosimane tried to propel the country to quallfy for the Nations Cup finals. Unfortunately it all ended in heartbreak though. <br /><br /><strong>Yet you believe our footballers essentially play exciting football…</strong><br /><br />No doubt Bafana play very good football. They know how to play and pass the ball, their ball control and defence is impressive but their problem is scoring goals. Scoring goals is part of winning the matches. Playing quality football must concur with scoring goals. In their last qualifying game for African Cup of Nations with Sierra Leone, they were supposed to win that game. They were supposed to confirm that they can make us proud by being a winning nation, but what they did was to preserve a draw and simultaneously they misunderstood the CAF rules and subsequently they failed to qualify for AFCON. <br />Yet fundamentally Bafana play a rather thrilling brand of football, but they need to learn and adopt the habit to win on their own soil. Their friendly match with Ivory Coast last week again exposed their vulnerability, and a similar situation happened and they secured a draw again. Essentially they were playing good football but fell short of scoring the winning goals, even after they had created clear and plenty chances to win the game. Bafana Bafana needs motivation and the fighting spirit to defend the image of football in this country. <br /><br /><br /><strong>So the victorious 1996 Bafana remain a benchmark</strong><br /><br />Now current Bafana Bafana players and enthusiasts need to learn soccer lessons from their old heroes who lifted the African Cup of Nations with pride in 1996 in the presence of the revered old man, Nelson Mandela and the late sports minister Steve Tshwete. Surely the boys need to acknowledge and apprehend that once we used to be African champions through the effort of yesteryear soccer legends like Neil Tovey, Lucas Radebe, Mark Fish, Mark Williams and Philemon Masinga etc. They must be inspired and should be filled with confidence to win their games in their own backyard!Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-35851185453208733852011-10-01T01:36:00.000-07:002011-11-10T06:30:15.464-08:00Deon Simphiwe Skade's "A SERIES OF UNDESIRABLE EVENTS"Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-85393126871611177722011-08-09T03:26:00.001-07:002011-08-09T03:35:56.271-07:00HECTOR KUNENE AND DEON-SIMPHIWE SKADE TALK LITERATURE, ARTS, CULTURE
<br /><em><strong>Hector Kunene and Deon Simphiwe Skade</strong>...two of South Africa's most promising and talented wordsmiths. Here Hector Kunene Interviews Deon-Simphiwe Skade over the forthcoming release of his (Deon's) book,<em> A Series of Undesirable Events</em>, and about other matters of importance. The interview was conducted through the wires of the Internet as the interviewer is based in Free State, while the author in Cape Town. This blogger might be biased but this is a monumental interview!!!Below is what the two passionate writers shared...</em>
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<br />Hector: I understand that this is your first publication in a book form. I have seen your poetry in one publication when I visited Cape Town last year, which was of various contributing artists. What prompted the idea to publish your own book?
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<br />Deon-Simphiwe: I think it’s only fair for me to openly concede that I had been reluctant to publish some of my work, more so a complete book. But this choice was for a number of reasons. For one, I had been keen on learning various ways of approaching and presenting stories through literature for myself in a way that I would believe stories I tell. I don’t have any issues with what the institutions teach as means of telling stories for those finding relevance in such teachings. I just wanted to define story telling for myself first, so that whatever information I encountered to that effect would have a base for myself, upon which my own understanding of my work could be consolidated further. I think it’s very important for an artist to understand the dynamics of their craft so that they may know where and how to carve a niche for themselves through their expressions. It is one thing to just present work of art that only perpetuates the sameness, and definitely another to offer an alternative view on such matters.
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<br />Perhaps I should point out at this stage that I’m in no way saying that with the release of my book, <em>A Series of Undesirable Events</em>, that I’m offering an alternative of storytelling. The approach I had is different no doubt, but the reason was not to appear fresh or anything like that. I had a complete story I wanted to tell and chose to present it in fragments, which worked beautifully well for me. I think it would be fair to state that were it not for the Centre for the Book, part of the South African National Library, I may have not published my first book yet. My debut complete book would have been a novel that I had been writing since the latter part of 2008, which I hope to finish by year end.
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<br />I came across some communication on the Internet that one could submit a manuscript to the Centre for possible publication, and that’s where some ideas I had about the Series of Undesirable Events were refined and led to my writing and submitting my manuscript. As for the poetry part of things, I decided to stay away from that art form until I’m in the right frame of mind to refine the many poetry drafts I had written. I’m very pleased that the New Coin published few of my poems.
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<br />Hector: Where is the book going to be published and why this particular publisher?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: As I indicated above, the book will published through the Centre for the Book in terms of the process followed in selecting the publishable manuscript from the pool they had, and funding the whole project. My manuscript along with about eight others was selected from about 70 entrants, I think. In essence, the whole project is a self-publishing initiative, one I would highly recommend for authors, emerging or otherwise, because through it one learns so much about the book industry. I’m not quite sure how creative freedom and artistic independence is handled in mainstream publishing; all I know is that self-publishing offers that platform which may enhance one’s vision and output in the end. Seeing that Centre for the Book is housed in the Cape Town branch of the National Library, and I’m also an adoptive Cape Town resident, I would say the book is published in Cape Town. Besides all the work on it was done in the elegant Mother City.
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<br />Hector: Please tell us more about yourself
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<br />Deon-Simphiwe: Interesting question Mr. Kunene. Mmmmhh... Let’s see. I think it’s best to present myself as a dreamer. Other than that, I’m life’s most enthusiastic student who prefers giving back to the same life that inspires me so much. I’m a concept, a pulse and a belief. I’m a belief that I can be the best me I can be if I continue nurturing myself. I’m a commitment to that self-concept through love because through love all is possible. I’m grateful for the love I have been given by loved ones all these years. Through that and new people I meet, I feel I’m becoming a better person. I hope this helps (chuckles)
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<br />Hector: You were born and bred in Klerksdorp, but later moved to Welkom where you spent a considerable amount of time. Which writer/s from your hometown would you say have paved a way for you?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: This question is interesting too and sadly puts me on the spot. In spite of the fact that I had been a very vigilant kid who always went out there to absorb whatever information that came my way, I won’t quite say I had a favourite author, especially in both primary and high school years – we did not read much. Many other things occupied my consciousness that to single one out as having being paramount to my reading habits would be misleading. I could point out the books that made a huge impact in my childhood because I could relate to them with acute profoundness. And both were prescribed for the school curriculum.
<br />The first one was a book called Tahleho, a Sesotho novel which we read in standard four, I think (Grade 7). Then followed The Calf of the November Cloud and Love, David, both in standards six (Grade 8). I think the fact that we were very active and creative kids (me and my twin brother) we would usually be telling stories to friends and this came from all that we were exposed to as kids. I could mention Mr Sibuyi, my former High School English teacher, as a catalyst in my interest in the English language which may have subsequently led to my writing today. It is through his continued mentoring on the use of the English language that I grew attached to this language and eventually encountered amazing writers in my young-adult life. I also owe a lot to my beloved cousin, Abe Skade, whose witty command of the English language presented a beautiful and colourful world of a need to express myself better. <strong>My highly cherished twin brother Dean-Sipho</strong>, had been my lifelong inspiration to this day – he’s the most intelligent, witty and loving man I know.
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<br />Hector: What kind of books do you read?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: I read anything that is honest in its presentation, but mostly fiction. I used to read like a mad man before: markets, IT, politics, etc. But through that I also learnt to see through agendas that the communicators of these messages embedded in their stories. That’s when I somehow got disillusioned for a while, until I got back to reading again, but minimally this time. The work I come across ought to be honest enough for me to warrant it my interest because somehow I’ve become a very fussy reader. Whatever is presented needs to be done in such a way that it does not reproduce what has already been there in terms of presentation, style and all those sometimes inhibitive disciplines of writing. A story may be hackneyed in terms of its subject, but as long as it’s being told with honesty and independent identity, I will read it. What normally threatens to give me a heart attack are these formularistic stories that we see everywhere. Oh! I also dislike anything with motivational talk (self-help books) or formularistic philosophy, not that I read any philosophy books anyway.
<br />I think I also need to mention that my reading goes beyond books. It goes as far as great movies (there are so little of them), music, social dialogues, and anything where people tell stories – those are my books.
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<br />By the way, I’m currently listening to Saul William’s Volcanic Sunlight. Now, that’s a record I would listen to for a long time because it is truthful in its presentation. He opens the album with a short and powerful poem, which seems to be the only conventional slam poem as the tradition of spoken word suggests. What follows is what feels like a cosmic journey into the pleasant unknown, once the listener gets the piece much later. The opening track, Look to the Sun, plays a beautiful narrative of heavenly bodies in the manner that engages one’s consciousness and leads to pondering. I get reminded of the late Lewis Nkosi’s thoughts on the significance of the heavenly bodies like the sun that he used in his masterful novel, <em>Mating Birds</em>. That kind of relationship people have with nature interests me because it offers an important reflection of people’s fears and other emotions. I have used some of such narratives in my book, trying to demonstrate the relationship we have with nature beyond flowers and other conventions.
<br />I suppose that is why Volcanic Sunlight is on the repeat mode on my music player. Those who know Saul’s earlier work as a spoken word poet may find him to have evolved into a mode that challenges them to find him again. But he’s reached a much more profound terrain that sees him loom large over many art forms of conventional expressions we see perpetuated mainly by television. I’m drawn into such honesties and confidences. Saul may have chosen to ride the crest of the slam poetry wave he helped spearhead after the immense contribution of the Lost Poets and Gil Scott-Heron among other forefathers of this art form. But Saul looked inside and discovered these intense expressions that elevate him to a position of an ultimate leader of thought and creative output. It’s like Bilal Oliver Sayeed, the soul singer. His latest project, Airtights’ Revenge is a majorly profound shift from his previous brilliant releases (if you consider the leaked Love For Sale album to be a release in spite of being available on the Internet) That’s what true artists do, I think, they always shift the bar, not for anyone but themselves, because if they are honest enough, people would relate to their creations. So, it will be difficult to confine by response in terms of what I read to literature. I read music and all these other beautiful pieces people create.
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<br />Hector: You chose to publish fiction. Does this make you only a fictionist?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: I’m not quite sure about the fictionist part of it. All I know and believe in is that fiction, contrary to what may be a popular belief out there, is one of the most powerful ways of reflecting our world with all its victories, tragedies and all that burdens it. Movies are works of visual fiction, so are many other aspects of our lives. And I suppose that is why to some extent I have some problem with the so-called biographies or autobiographies. I don’t wish to dispute what has been established as this genre by the names given to it, but wish to say that there’s so much fiction in our lives we’re even fictitious about how we embrace some of these defined concept – we’re creatures of habit as they say.
<br />Fiction for me presents a vehicle to reflect the world as I see it, in the manner that no other platform has afforded me thus far. The closest to that confidence I have with telling stories is through music, it’s a pity I cannot play any instrument or can sing. But I write about music which helps my course a great deal. If I could play, music would be my kind of fiction. It still is in some ways. I suppose that is why I weave music into my work in general. As the saying goes, “good writing should sing”. I hope to master my craft so that I can sing well too.
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<br />Hector: You chose to write your book in English; any particular reason?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: Well, like I hinted earlier, I had a very incredible English teacher who instilled the love of this language in me. I think I was heavily drawn into how he made English his own by speaking or reading it in the most amazing manner I had ever been exposed to a black person speak or read it. It was so honest it did not feel like it’s an acquired language after all. He spoke the way he would speak his own language, except his tone and presence was music to one’s ears – and his wit (I’m drawn to witty people). He did not change his accent or assume a conceited position where he twisted words in pronouncing them and attempted to turn up the nose like some black people do when they want to appear a certain way. So, I was drawn to the richness of the language which I liked a lot because the material around us had been predominantly in English – still is, to the gloom of traditional African languages. The world of English grew in me as I needed to acquire more knowledge about our world as you know that a very limited volume of text is available in indigenous languages. In a nutshell, I think my need to learn about the world beyond my domestic frontiers made English my language of choice. But I wish to write in Sesotho one day. For this book’s purpose, the stories I related in it needed a much wider audience, which would have greatly disadvantaged non-Sesotho speakers had I written them in Sesotho, my Father-tongue.
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<br />Hector: Would you consider writing in your mother tongue? Looking at the emergence of your peers like Jah- Rose, Teboho Masakala, Vonani Bila, Maxwell Kanemanyanga, Mbalenhle Xulu, Skietrekker and yours truly (Hector Kunene) etc, they have all published texts in different languages including their mother tongue. Are we not loosing touch with our roots by neglecting our indigenous languages?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: Well, like I said earlier, I would love to write in Sesotho, and to date have begun getting into that space through various vehicles like e-mail, SMS and so on. I recently had an attempt of writing a flash fiction piece called, Johnny, which I published on Acoustic Strings. That piece opened my eyes wider on how some aesthetic of language are lost through simple things such as thinking in a certain language for a prolonged time. I mean there was appoint when I was writing the short piece that I literally had to bring my thoughts into an environment that was completely devoid of English, and it was very interesting and challenging at the same time. But with that difficulty, a set of new challenges present themselves: the choice of words, the arrangement of these words, and the manner in which the story is being told, are just a few things one pondered over quite seriously. But, I’ll get there in the same way as I have done in English.
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<br />I admire writers who publish in their mother tongue because that way a language and one’s heritage are preserved. The names you mentioned are an inspiration to me because they are a very small percentage of people trying to fight a course which should be handled by a large body of a people, government included. Besides, language is the power. But I also don’t want to write in Sesotho for the hell of it. Otherwise I would not be helping the course. Besides, I don’t want to look back and regret ever publishing a badly written piece because it had to be in my mother or father tongue. Like with other things, there has to be great discipline in this language.
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<br />Hector: What can be expected from you in the long run?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: Well, I can’t say. All I know is that I just wish to tell many stories. I hope to finally finish writing my novel. I have invested so much time and dedication into it. It would be very fulfilling for me to see it published. Hopefully I may finish by year end.
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<br />Hector: How is the culture of reading and writing in Cape Town?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: Well, it’s not quite easy to say. There is definitely a culture of reading as reflected through book launches around Cape Town. But my biggest concern may be with the small number of young people from these events, especially black. But again, I could be moving in the wrong circles. I think people read which is very important. The content of what they are reading may be a subject of another time for those keen on dissecting such issues. We need people who may create as beautiful literature, if not better than our predecessors. And this need not be confined to this discipline called literature, but may be in various forms of expressions. Sello K. Duiker and Phaswane Mpe, whom I both admire (I still speak of them in the present tense because they are that important to our course) added formidable voices to literary legacy. We need much more and Cape Town is offering that on a number of platforms, be it poetry, music and so on.
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<br />Hector: You have met and shared conversations with great writers in South Africa, one such distinguished writer is <strong>Aryan Kaganof</strong>, who seems to have had a great influence in you, kindly elaborate.
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: From an artistic point of view, Kaganof is for me a consummate artist who is deeply dedicated to his art forms. I greatly admire his work ethic and honesty, all which is reflected in his many projects. As to how he does all that he produces puzzled me a great deal. I learnt invaluable lessons from his honesty and dedication. I think we share what I may term similarities in some of our motivations and perspectives, which is what I may say for many other artists I admire. I find Kaganof’s work very engaging and perhaps provocative for other people. But because he’s a bona fide artist with a beautiful heart, which like some great artists I know, puts him in a very good position where I’m concerned; he’s a pleasant inspiration for one to have – an artist should inspire. Oh! I admire his profound and effortless wit too – you should read his work!
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<br />I met Vonani Bila too, whom I respect immensely for the work he has done through his Timbila project. Allan Kolski Horwitz comes to mind also for great work done through Botsotso. So is Sis’ Malika Ndlovu and many other inspirational people, all whom showed me love through our varied engagements.
<br />Through my book, I was very blessed to have had contributions from amazing people in the calibre of Victoria Collis-Buthelezi, Daniel Rosmat Kubayi and Graeme Arendse. They all showed me so much love and shared invaluable lessons on book issues with me.
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<br />Hector: Your own perspective of the role of critics in literature?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: I’m glad that you asked this question Hector. Before I address it, rather allow me to focus on the aspect of general reviewing first, which much like criticism, rests on looking at the presented work of art from a certain point of view. As a person who writes reviews myself, I personally believe that as a reviewer, I should not impose my views on the readers of my reviews. My fundamental responsibility is to share my take on a work of art as honestly as I can. What people should never forget is that reviews and criticism are but opinions of the reviewer or critics. It is not fact and cannot be passed on as such. Criticism or reviews should be a basis on which the created work may be dissected for various reasons. Some people would appreciate the motive behind the story while others would appreciate language and other aesthetics. Invariably and perhaps inevitably, there’d be those who would dislike certain things about the work of art before them. All those views, whether positive or not, form part of a social dialogue that the audience should have – an author is part of this audience too. Also, such debates should not be confined to academics. For we all belong to this world.
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<br />Criticism, much like reviews, look at aspects of the whole which is interesting if you think of it because no story is complete. You may have written 150 000 words and call that effort a novel, and someone may reduce all that effort into a perspective of a mere 1000 words at best; which if you apply rationale, would realise just how superficial reviews and criticism may be at times. Even this restriction of 1000 words I made and example of above is generous in some publications because there are space issues and the capital vehicle to maintain with others. That is why when I review, and perhaps that is why blogs are so important because they are not regulated by people with ulterior or vested motives and interests, I don’t have any restrictions. If I write a review or an essay of 2000 words, I hope someone would read it someday. Even the opinions shared in a 2000 worded piece are just mere pieces of a very large whole. Besides, no one would ever articulate the motives of the story and all the tools used to construct it than the author of the work. But there are sometimes unintended consequences from one’s creation that may result in people discovering themes that the author may not have had in mind when creating his/her stories.
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<br />All in all what I’m trying to say is that reviews or criticism are needed in a society in order to better aspects of our lives. Regrettably, other reviewers and critics go about these tasks in an authoritative and repulsive manner that lacks an element of being constructive. Stories are constructed and plans were made to create them. But at times one gets an impression that some reviewers and critics overlook this aspect or at best deliberately ignore it so that they may tear other people’s efforts into undignified reflections. But they are entitled to their opinions in the same way as everyone is. I suppose it’s just a matter of preference. Look at all these words in this interview. We’re sharing opinions that some people may not agree with us on. But the good thing one can do is to take in the criticism and see if the critics had a point by evaluating one’s work for flaws that may have been pointed out. And if the author is convinced that those are not flaws with regards to what he/she was trying to create, then they should not be bothered. Besides, next projects usually present an opportunity for one to do better.
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<br />Hector: What would you say is the best remedy to bring back the love of books to young people? As of late it is all about the Internet, Facebook, Skype, Mixit, Tweeter etc?
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<br />Deon-Simphiwe: It would be autocratic of me to prescribe to others what to do with their time and life. I’m not part of any of the communities you mentioned except for my use of the Internet for other things. So it will be unfair to make recommendations really. Besides, my blog is hosted on the Internet which is the mother of these developments and communities you mentioned above, all which serve a huge role in the lives of millions in spite of what we may think of such developments. Besides, people are engaging each other through such platforms which is good – people thrive on contact.
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<br />All I can say is that the best discoveries one may make are through books among other products. People need to read in order to have a complete perspective of the world they are living in. There’s nothing as tragic as a person living in a glass house but throws stones at a world tremendously bigger than his imagination. If you wish to unlock some key aspects of this world, do so through reading; that’s my only advice. In spite of what the many had predicted at the birth of the information age, books are immortal. They may be changing form and have resulted in e-books and other developments; what is key is that the power these products have to unlock puzzles for us may never end. The Internet has just widened the reach of the book albeit other distractive features hinder such discoveries on the net.
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<br />Hector: You are a master behind a world class blog called <strong>Acoustic Strings,</strong> what inspired it?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: Gees! I did not expect this question. Well, first of all thanks for your flattering comments about Acoustic Strings. I feel other people deserve such generous credit for their inspirational efforts though. I started blogging in the latter part of 2009 after what I may term a period of great need to celebrate life, particularly black life (there was a lot of negativity in the air – there still is). I remember telling a dear friend that I would love to run a website where I would collaborate with other writers to highlight the beauty about black people I feel is often overlooked or simply less celebrated. But for that I would have to get a hosting company which I would have to pay for such services. So I created Acoustic Strings as a blog platform instead, a free tool to do exactly what I wished for. And the very fact that it’s free inspired so many other aspects of my life. We borrow books from the library for free; we breathe free air and enjoy the benefits of many other free things – it would have been improper for me to pay to celebrate others. Besides, the fact that blogs are free, is a political statement in every sense of the word, a subversive development that is still reflective of the fact that not all people are driven by the need to amass wealth. I would like to thank Google’s Blogger for such a free and powerful platform – we seldom say thank you.
<br />That is how the blog started – I wanted to fundamentally throw my little weight in celebrating black life and other people who do inspirational work across the colour line, but more so for the black mass for reasons found from our history and our present. Besides that, I would also note these very interesting aspects of Cape Town’s life that I would write down or capture through my camera phone, or I would have thoughts about a particular product of art that I would want to share my views with others. I also wished to reflect some aspects of our lives as I see them, hence the by-line of the blogs says: strumming on life with all its victories and follies. Oh! I also wanted to write about music – I love music greatly.
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<br />There had been various changes on the blog as I began to find my place and refined what I was trying to do, and I love the form the blog has taken. I’m thankful to the readers too who have inspired me to be more focused, disciplined and dedicated through their very flattering remarks that they share with me behind the scenes and on the blog itself (their contribution in posts, comments and so on). What came out from my blogging initiative was a discovery of other amazing blogs like the Kagablog.
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<br />Hector: This blog has reflected work of various people, low and high profile individuals. What was the aim and has it lived up to it?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: There is so much to put out there and celebrate, so much that the little that I have done so far to that end seems insignificant. I wish I could have more time in my hands to widen the scope of my interest. By that I mean things that inspire me greatly that I believe inspire others too – all our people, black, yellow or blue, as long as it’s human beings, people are too beautiful man. In terms of the people whose work is featured there, I made it clear from the beginning that no person should be treated better than another one because they are widely known. For me “Everybody is Famous” (That’s a title of one movie I adore by the way), that is why I treat everyone the same and afforded them the same attention. In fact, I feel “non-famous” people are marginalised and this is tragic because great and inspirational stories come from the so-called unknown people. Even the famous began little. Everyone matters, that is why I have set that principle from the word go. Now I remember how I would go out there at some shows or events and getting back home to write about them and publishing them. That was great fun. It’s a pity I don’t have as much time as I had back then.
<br />Personally, I’m against any prepared information especially the one that purports to be objective and all. If it’s really objective and democratic, we should not read about the same people in the news and other mass communication media. I don’t listen to the radio anymore, one tool I used to love more than a lot of mass communication media because of its engagement before I discovered its preparedness too. Listening to the same artists because entertainment industry politics favour them more than others really “sucks”. We should hear so many artists being played on radio that if for example you hear one artist today, you’ll hear them again next month because there are so many great artists who are not being played on the airwaves. But this will never happen because we’re governed by capitalists who tell us we’re living in a democracy yet they monopolise aspects of our lives. The key to survival in our times is to live outside the conventional means. Besides, life is fulfilled and exciting like that. Everything has become “much of muchness”. But Acoustic Strings and other platforms are there to offer alternative views, and if our efforts are not recognised, we’re happy with a few audience that would support our courses. I suppose that is why I appreciate blogs so much. They are very independent; more so than what is passed on as independent out there – you know corporations and all that stuff.
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<br />Personally, I have a problem with the so-called authoritative or official voices for number of reasons. Such existences suggest that people outside what is considered to be an official position are dumb and don’t have an insightful opinions about matters of this world. Some of these people forget that the world is ruled by opinions. Look at the recent Twitter exchange between Western Cape Premier, Helen Zille, and musician and activist, Simphiwe Dana. According to the reports, if they are true anyway, Premier Zille is said to have said the following regarding Miss Dana’s take on the way the Western Cape is run:
<br /> “She is also a great musician, and I am a fan of her music, especially Bantu Biko Street, which means a lot to me for obvious reasons,” Zille said.
<br />“She is not a politician, nor a political analyst, nor does she pretend to be. So I am not surprised that we have differences on this front.”
<br />Now if this is true, it would be very tragic. It would be a means of continuing to silence the voices of the multitudes. Why is Miss Dana not entitled to air her insightful views about the province? Is it because she’s a musician and not a politician? Well, artists played significant role of advocacy across the world for a long time – they helped bring many changes in social dialogue and politics alike. As far as I have seen texts written by Miss Dana, I’d say she’s a lady well versed in the political and social matters of our country – one of a very few musicians who speak their minds and help carry the weigh of the many people who continue to suffer in the so-called “New South Africa”. She has an interesting insight which needs to be listened to like the many politicians and the so-called officials whom some don’t make sense at all; incoherence is even an understatement; oh! And some political analysts, who all of course, are entitled to their opinions.
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<br />I think we’re living in very interesting times. We’re said to be in the democratic South Africa, but a lot of contradictions to that end arise. Voices are silenced; people are labelled as racists when they are frank about some subjects of great importance, especially when they have to do with the divide between rich and poor and many other ills of South Africa. I suppose that is why I also don’t consume the news anymore – that stuff takes away a lot of ones energy one could channel to creative output. Besides, there’s fiction (through various disciplines) which I think is a perfect tool to reflect and at times mock our lopsided reality. Acoustic Strings sees and recognises everyone equally and tries to cover anything consistent with what its by-line proclaims – including the links shared that direct the readers to other thoughts, perspectives and things authored or created by others. Like I said, “Everybody is Famous” (chuckles)
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<br />Hector: Briefly, your book is going to be released and launched in Cape Town. You plan to do another launch in Bloemfontein too. What is the motive behind this intended move?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: People in Bloemfontein, or should I say the Free State, have shown me great love and support through Acoustic Strings. Their contributions to that platform and their words of appreciation have been overwhelmingly beautiful. Chief Bolaji has been phenomenal in that regard too, through sharing a wealth of information with me and other “emerging” writers. So, to say thank you to all of them, a book launch would only be appropriate.
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<br />Hector: Your future aspirations in literature?
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<br />Deon-Simphwe: I just wish to tell many more stories. There is just so much to share and I hope my growth would allow me to present these stories I have in appropriate and befitting manner, because each needs just the right voice to articulate and at the moment I’m listening to many such voices in my mind.
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<br />Hector: Thank you Mr. Skade, your contributions means a lot and I wish you the best in your future endeavours.
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<br />Deon-Simphiwe: Thanks to you too Mr Kunene. Let’s all be love.
<br />Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-89176625577047541452011-06-15T11:02:00.001-07:002011-06-15T11:09:46.731-07:00INTERVIEWING MOTHEO FM DUO<strong>Interview by Bongani Tshabalala</strong><br /><br /><em>Today <strong>Free State News</strong> catches up with the young and vibrant Xolelwa Mvumvu who is a Radio Presenter for Motheo Fm. The bubbly lady orchestrates an early slot show of “The Family Breakfast” which is on air from 06: 00 to 09: 00, to the delectation of Motheo Fm listeners in Bloemfontein.</em><br /><br /><strong>Briefly, tell readers - who is Xolelwa Mvumvu?</strong><br /><br />Xolelwa is a twin sister even though I’m the first born who hails from Sterkspruit, a 21 year old from Eastern Cape. I came to Bloemfontein in 2004 after studying Journalism in Johannesburg at Media House, as a four year course but I only did two years (2008/09). I have my twin, who is so intelligent studying Accounting at CUT. He is like my best friend. I like him so much!<br /><br /><strong>Where do you live?</strong><br /><br />I am staying at Vista Park with my father, my twin brother and two little sisters; because my mother is in the Eastern Cape.<br /><br /><strong>When did you develop your love for radio?</strong><br /><br />I started to develop the love of radio and the media at large way back when I was doing grade 9; at the time one of my friends introduced me to the media. She also went with me to the Radio Station that was there at that time. Alas, she has now moved to Johannesburg. She was my role model, and made me to love radio. Then I started to pave my way up to here.<br /><br /><strong>What do you like and hate about your job?</strong><br /><br />What I love about my job is that it keeps me on my toes, and I get to know about the happenings around the world. And what I hate about my job is to wake up very early in the morning, as I love sleep! Yet I have to prepare at 3:00 am, especially if I didn’t prepare it the previous day. <br /><br /><strong>What is your most memorable moment in Bloemfontein?</strong><br /><br />It was in 2005, the MACUFE poetry session. I basked in listening to poetic artists and then the whole week I started to attend all the poetry sessions.<br /><br /><strong>What is your favourite Building in Bloemfontein?</strong><br /><br />My favourite building in Bloemfontein is ‘Glass Palace’. It is so artistic because it stands out, as I like art.<br /><br /><strong>June is Youth Month, what can you encourage youth of today about?</strong><br /><br />They must know where they come from, and find acceptance because it is time to stand up for ourselves. Do not depend on government, as the youth of today have got so much power in many things<br /><br /><strong>How do you feel about the country and politics today?</strong><br /><br />A lot needs to be improved, as we still have corruption in certain quarters. But I am glad that in these days, young people have choices to be leaders of tomorrow.<br /><br />Thanks Xoli see you next time and good luck in your job!<br /><br /><em>The next interview is with the ever smiling Radio partner presenter of Xolelwa – the one and only Luvuyo DaDa </em><br /><br /><strong>Who is Luvuyo Dada?</strong><br /><br />Luvuyo is the last born of Me Dada. I am 33 years old and I hail from Meloding (Virginia) with three sisters. I am an ordinary guy who loves music, reading, especially motivational books in order to improve and enhance my vocabulary.<br /><br />Where do you live presently?<br /><br />Right here in Bloemfontein CBD.<br /><br /><strong>How did you get into your career?</strong><br /><br />After Matric - even-though way back in grade 8, radio was my passion and one of my friends introduced me to the late Aubery Menong who was an employee of Lesedi Fm who inspired me to pursue a career in the media industry. Though it was difficult, persistence and perseverance got me through, and finally I had the chance to be behind the microphone!<br /><br /><strong>What do you like and hate about your job?</strong><br /><br />What I love about this job is pressing this button and talking to many people out there, advising and entertaining people! Just to press the button and do my thing, What I dislike about my job is when I am not given enough support from colleagues.<br /><br /><strong>What is your most memorable moment in Bloemfontein?</strong><br /><br />It was in 1996 when I was 17 years attending Kwaito Festival. I saw celebrities that one always sees on T.V. Now I see them live. It was cold, but full of fun.<br /><br />What is your favourite Building in Bloemfontein?<br /><br />Sand Du Plessis Theatre.<br /><br /><strong>It’s Youth Month; what can you encourage youth of today about?</strong><br /><br />I like this, because we are heading to a conference in Gauteng to elect our leadership who are supposed to represent youth properly, and to move youth forward in matters like Bursaries, Business opportunities and jobs. The youth must believe in themselves.<br /><br /><strong>How do you feel about the country and politics today?</strong><br /><br />It is sad to see others progressing whilst others suffer and wallow in poverty. We’re all blacks and don’t even need or prepare to share; we need to address issues like unemployment and poverty, especially now in the wake of recent elections. We must prepare service delivery in order to deliver on the promises made to the citizens in times of elections.<br /><br /><strong>Thanks my bra Luvuyo. It was nice talking to you. </strong><br /><br /><em>* Interviews reproduced courtesy of Free State News </em>Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-59051129209622797702011-05-14T03:20:00.000-07:002011-05-14T03:24:11.592-07:00MEET JAH ROSE, an exhilarating poet!<strong>Exclusive interview by O Bolaji</strong><br /><br /><strong>BOLAJI</strong>: You have done very well to establish yourself as a powerful female poet in the Free State. How did your love for this genre (poetry) start?<br /><br /><strong>JAH ROSE</strong>: well it kinda started even before I realised...Bareng Dichaba was the one who actually un-blinded me to say what you’ve been writing is actually poetry, so I was excited to find out that I'm a poet and never looked back. That was back in early 2000.<br /><br /><strong>You have performed/read your impressive poetry at many occasions. Can you tell us about some of these events?</strong><br /><br />Mostly at home - I perform at are governmental events, to sharing my writings at poetry sessions around, in and out of South Africa...there is nothing more thrilling than being at an event full of art and artists themselves, so poetry festivals have become my church - that’s how much I have dedicated myself to my work.<br /><br /><strong>Allied to this, what would you say was your greatest moment as a poet?</strong><br /><br />I have so many very beautiful moments as a growing poet... I have met kings and queens through my gift as a writer, I have crossed seas and borders, rivers and mountains, I have and continue to travel the world through my art, so this is one call I’m glad I never missed, for it is a calling.<br /><br /><strong>South Africa is blessed with a crop of powerful female poets. Which ones of them do you admire most, and why?</strong><br /><br />I love Napo Masheane mainly because I can hear her, I adore Mme Myesha as well thanks to pacofs we have worked together on so many occasions and she is a mother figure artistically so, she is a sweetheart.<br /><br /><strong>In the Free State, how would you describe the awareness of women as regards poetry at grassroots level? What can be done to sensitise even more women to relish poetry?</strong><br /><br />Fortunately I am a field worker, so I work with most artists especially upcoming poets...so I know for sure that the culture is booming a lot compared to the last five years...and there is real talent out...people who have the ability to tell their generational stories and write tomorrow's history. to women/’wemen’ poetry is a weapon of self discovery, self development and self empowerment and beyond anything else it is a self creation to...you work on sculpting your craft until you shape it to what you want, who you want and anything else that you want out of life,,, so if you have the spirit of writing in you...use it.<br /><br /><strong>Obviously, you have read anthologies, books of poetry published by South Africans – by the likes of Don Mattera, Mongane Serote, Vonani Bila, Lebo Mashile etc. Which of any of these books are you likely to read again? </strong><br /><br />It will be Napo's - like I said I hear that woman too much, Lindiwe Mabuza and Ntate Don Mattera - he is also very clear in what he wants to say and he is not afraid. You feel it as you go through his work. I love simplicity, so they do it for me.<br /><br /><strong>Internationally, who are the poets that have impressed you most? </strong><br /><br />I love Asa from Nigeria, I love...''why is it that when Lauren comes from the Hills of India she's always Arie''; for me these ladies sing their poetry.<br /><br /><strong>I understand you are set to publish your first book of poetry. How will you describe the collection?</strong><br /><br />Yes it is true, I'm hoping to launch it in August this year for it is finished and by the way looking for a publisher, it is called ROOTED FROM THE HEART!, It is an intro of me to the world of literature , who and what I'm about...the high's and he low's, the fears and vulnerability, joys and peacefulness, aspirations and admirations of young woman and how she views and has experienced her environment, emotionally, spiritually, politically and all other ‘cally's’! Basically how I found myself through art and poetry as it has become huge part of me, all these are reflected in this compilation. Thank you…<br /><br /><em>•This Interview first appeared in <strong>Free State News </strong>(2010) Jah Rose’s book, Rooted from the Heart has since been launched with fanfare</em>Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-15916719863272874292011-03-23T05:54:00.000-07:002011-03-23T06:06:20.861-07:00"Rebaone deserves a world platform too" - Bolaji<em>The book <strong>MY OPINION</strong>, penned by O Bolaji was rather panned this week by well known Free State book reviewer and critic, Rebaone Motsalane who took exception to the work being put together in book form. Your blogger, Jerry, an enthusiastic lover of books was rather taken aback with the attack and spoke to Bolaji about the criticism</em><br /><br />JERRY: You have read Rebaone’s views on your book, <em>My Opinion</em>. I was quite shocked, to be honest, when I read the piece (in <em>Mangaung Issue</em>). My first thought was that it was so unfair and a-times ridiculous. The reviewer said that you should write new books, not put your column in book form - since the book was published many years ago and you have published many new books since then, how do you feel?<br /><br />BOLAJI: That’s not the only absurdity in the review. Rebaone has this crazy idea that there is something wrong with compiling a book consisting of one’s short pieces, columns etc – she is very myopic in her view. Books like this are written around the world every time and valued greatly. I see why Pule Lechesa was so upset with what she had written earlier about one of his books too; Rebaone is displaying great ignorance and short-sightedness in this respect. She thinks the whole world is Bloemfontein, and a few areas of the Free State; whereas the literary world comprises thousands of other towns and cities in South Africa, in Africa, and the world at large. The column I wrote came out in a local paper read by relatively almost nobody by world standards…do we invite the teeming countless outer world to Free State to come to read scattered, disparate columns published years ago? Will people in America or Canada ever read the columns if not for the published book?<br /><br />JERRY: I thought so too, but there were other problems with her review…<br /><br />BOLAJI: (Cuts in) Sorry…I was also thinking about some young readers who met me at the library in Bloemfontein city a few months ago and told me how much they enjoyed reading the book, My Opinion. They said: “Oh Mr Bolaji, we were rather too young when you were writing the Column so we are very happy we can still read them in book form now. Which brings in the fact of new generations of readers. Such readers, as the years go on, will never even know I ever wrote a Column - if not for the published form of the book. Just because Rebaone belonged to the generation that could read the Columns as soon as they were initially published, she can not envisage that EVEN LOCALLY countless other readers, new readers will not have had the same opportunity and as time goes on further only the Book will be on record<br /><br />JERRY: A real problem is that Columns are generally local initially; whilst potential readers are all over the world…<br /><br />BOLAJI: Lovers of fine writing world-wide enjoy reading the thoughts of others and the only real way they can do so (apart from internet, partially) is through books. Look at the great English female columnist, Julie Burchill for example. We can not fly to England weekly to read her Columns but thank goodness many of her Columns are in book form which are distributed internationally, sent to sundry libraries etc; hence we can read her Columns in the end! The same applies to other wonderful columnists like Brian Glanville, Keir Radnedge etc who have published books. The trick is to try to avoid being narrow-minded and tragically looking at important issues only locally. <br /><br />JERRY: Additionally, what puzzles me most is that Rebaone suggests that you should write new books, not My Opinion, whereas the latter was published years ago.<br /><br />BOLAJI: Thank you. My opinion was published in 2005. Early 2005. Since then despite bad health, I have published at least 6, 7 new books, most of them creative! So really I am afraid I’d have to agree with the likes of Lechesa that our beloved Rebaone can be a clown sometimes! <br /><br />JERRY: I also know that quite a number of local writers are unhappy with Rebaone’s reviews<br /><br />BOLAJI: Rebaone is doing a very good job, despite the bloomers, the clangers she makes every now and then. An important writer like Flaxman always tells me how much he appreciates her reviews; it’s better than nothing. On my own part I always personally urge her to make a book from her Column – she would be very foolish if she does not do so. At least 99 percent of her potential readers world-wide will not come to Free State to read her column weekly – but in book form, around the world lovers of books, literature, will appreciate her input. Rebaone deserves a world platform too. Reviewers, critics often make mistakes too, and one must always read, examine things carefully. As regards Rebaone she must sometimes remove the blinkers and realize the literary world out there, is gargantuan, not local! But I have no problem with Rebaone, we are good friends!<br /><br />JERRY: Yes I always thought too that it would be a tragedy if the world out there is denied reading her literary views; after all Free State is a very very small place in African, never mind world terms. Thank you Mr BolajiJerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-6576792319176745632011-01-30T22:37:00.001-08:002011-01-30T22:40:37.131-08:00UNSUNG LITERARY ICON<em><strong>PAUL LOTHANE,</strong> who originally hailed from the Free State, is one of the unsung literary heroes who have put the Free State on the literary map. His perceptive essays and studies have been published all over the world; with his essay on Saint George Vis’ book – “Indaba with Free State Writers” (2009) being particularly celebrated. He was recently in Mangaung for “some family business” where Jerry caught up with him for a chat...</em><br /><br />JERRY: <em>Skhokho!</em> Great to see you after such a long time. Why is it that people like you who have done wonders for our (Free State) Black literature over the years, prefer to be in the background in these days when what we might call “flashy literature”, the love for acclaim, is so much in fashion?<br /><br />LOTHANE: There is nothing like flashy literature, only ignorance or and immodesty. I don’t know any real great writer who is “flashy” anywhere in the world. Ideally, writers and people like us that you call “critics” – I prefer “reviewers” – should be in the background, with the media seeking us out, not vice versa. But the real focus should be on worthy writers. I mean – we know overseas, Gerald Moore has published great studies on Wole Soyinka, but nobody knows anything about Moore; similarly, Adele King has published one or two great books on Camara Laye, but the world knows almost nothing about King. Here in South Africa, the white scholar, Prof Mackenzie, has published over FIVE books on Bessie Head, but hardly anybody knows who Mackenzie is. That’s the way it is supposed to be. People like myself, Raphael Mokoena, Rebaone Motsalane, etc should be read and not seen!<br /><br />JERRY: Critics – or reviewers – like Lechesa have expressed unhappiness about what they have called the lure for “cheap fame” by younger writers these days. What do you think about this?<br /><br />LOTHANE: There is no cheap fame in literature, you can’t deceive the experts. Of course, among people of low mentality in a restricted community who might think seeing a writer in a local paper makes him or her great, one might receive such ”fame”, but it is not the real thing; it is illusory, shoddy, very local, even illiterate. But what Lechesa said is not in any way original; the great Mazisi Kunene said it long ago that what kills young writers these days is “cheap fame”, they get carried away before they have even really started.<br /><br />JERRY: So how do you feel that a writer like Hector Kunene came miraculously onto the stage, became famous quickly and is now “Free State Author of the Year”? Do you feel any hostility towards him? Can his “fame” last?<br /><br />LOTHANE: What you mean is, can Hector continue to grow by leaps and bounds? It is up to him if he focuses on what real literature is about, and keeps his feet firmly on the ground as Ntate Flaxman has advised him. There is this crass illiteracy these days amongst younger writers that modern stuff like facebook etc enhances literature, but it is actually the opposite; these are just social networking gimmicks for people who have really nothing important to do in their lives. I can not feel anything negative towards Mr Hector as I hardly know him, and I was happy to have at least THREE essays written by me used in his book on Mr Bolaji. I can’t be jealous of creative writers, as I am not one of them. The simple truth is that Hector has a long way to go before he can get anywhere near real greatness in literature. He must produce some powerful fictional works, for example <br /><br />JERRY: How important is the role of critics, reviewers etc?<br /><br />LOTHANE: I have discussed this in the Free State context in my essay on Saint George Vis: Indaba with Free State Writers. Those interested can check the internet! All I’ll say here is that a writer who is ignored by critics etc is not a writer at all, and is wasting his/her time.<br /><br />JERRY: So you support Lechesa’s robust criticism?<br /><br />LOTHANE: It’s not about supporting or not. People tend to exaggerate things – Lechesa, as far as I know essentially concentrates on his career as a journalist. In the recent past he did great things for literature by publishing books for other writers etc which we must always commend in this era of greed and selfishness. As far as I am concerned, Lechesa was doing special favours recently by reviewing two or three new FS books – you check the internet, and see how celebrated his reviews or critiques are. You can even say he made such books world recognised; so many writers in Africa have published works which are never properly reviewed for the international market...<br /><br />JERRY: You have seen the special <strong>Chimurenga Online</strong> Tribute to Free State Black Literature Online?<br /><br />LOTHANE: It shows how much FS Black Literature is respected all over the world. Ntate Bolaji, Ntate Flaxman, even the younger Saint George Vis, have done great things for the Province. The Chimurenga website is one of the best in Africa, and the world. And the main reason why FS Black Literature is respected is because of the quality of essays, critiques, reviews etc on these published books.<br /><br />JERRY: So the writers owe people like you, Lechesa, Ntate Moroe, George Rampai, Rebaone Motsalane etc a great debt; perhaps they do not even realise this. It is part of the ignorance as regards literature locally; writers do not want to be criticised; yet they want to be famous. They can’t have it both ways! By the way, what do you think about Mme NMM Duman’s debut work (<em>Deepest Springs</em>)? I have heard one or two local writers criticising the book in a petty way. And I must stress personally here that I think these writers are much inferior writers to Duman. What do you say?<br /><br />LOTHANE: I have said it before, and I will say it again – Mme Duman is a world class writer. Her novel, <em>Deepest Springs</em> is actually more than world class. Anybody who has anything against the work is either jealous, narrow minded or completely ignorant; I suspect such people, if they are writers, can never attain even ten percent of the skill and talent of Duman. Bolaji likened Duman to Charlotte Bronte and I can understand why. What made the Bronte sisters so world-famous? What made Charles Dickens so great? The main reason was their fantastic, realistic IMAGINATION which Duman has a-plenty. Forget about fine writing skills, grammar, big words and the other extras. The most important ingredient for any good writer is a wonderful imagination. In Duman’s case she has a great imagination and very fine writing skills...she just needs to be better exposed to the western world and I can tell you she will be regarded as one of Africa’s finest.<br /><br />JERRY: Thanks so much. I really do feel that people like you, Raphael Mokoena and Pule Lechesa etc who have been the real pivots behind publicising our writing to the great intelligent world out there, should be getting the awards. But as you said earlier, if world class white critics like Gerald Moore and Adele King can be in the background, then we can understand and still appreciate how imortant people like you are<br /><br />LOTHANE: Thanks. But the creative writers actually do the major work. Let them enjoy the limelight!Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-44735292945830545842010-10-17T03:25:00.000-07:002011-10-09T03:19:04.041-07:00PULE LECHESA BOUNCES BACK<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmlR_vvLnZg/TpF0uosD9AI/AAAAAAAAABU/FFr5VcopZ2Y/s1600/Seye%2Bon%2Bawards....jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 270px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LmlR_vvLnZg/TpF0uosD9AI/AAAAAAAAABU/FFr5VcopZ2Y/s320/Seye%2Bon%2Bawards....jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661434551126455298" /></a><br /><br /><em>After a considerable silence, Pule Lechesa, the powerful Free State literary critic has again hit the limelight with his publication of the article ‘Fatal flaws in Hector Kunene’s Through the tunnel’. The article is already making waves around the world. Jerry caught up with Mr Lechesa and probed him why he finally broke his silence, so to speak…</em><br /><br />(Image) One of Lechesa's books<br /><br /><strong>For years you were known for robust, even tough literary criticism. Why were you silent for so long?</strong><br /><br />I’ve had strenuous journalistic responsibilities recently, and I also kept quiet deliberately, watching the so-called literary scene. I have been shocked at how some new wave young writers think they are special, so arrogant, not knowing what literature is about<br /><br /><strong>But surely you must agree that this year is the best ever for Free State black literature with emergence of so many writers, like Hector Kunene, Teboho Masakala, NMM Duman, Jah Rose etc –</strong><br /><br />I don’t agree. As Shakespeare would say, it’s just a lot of sound and fury signifying nothing! The only great work has been Duman’s <em>Deepest Springs</em>...she took her time, never praised herself, never put even one photo of herself in her brilliant book; she went through literary agencies etc. The newcomers must learn first about the world of literature, read, study dozens of great writers; respect established writers, before they even announce themselves to the world. But having said this, I must add that Teboho Masakala, though very young, has the talent and imagination. If he remains modest he will do very well in the future<br /><br /><strong>Are you not worried the new writers will dislike you for criticising them?</strong><br /><br />No true critic worries about telling the truth. I have already made my name as an international critic, and I can’t be afraid of newcomers. I am helping them anyway by telling them the truth. Yes I am aware that all over the world we blacks in particular dislike criticisms. Lewis Nkosi suffered a lot because he rightly criticised other writers. Achebe, Ayi Kwei Armah etc fought themselves over criticism – whilst they are great critics too! <br /><br /><strong>How do you identify mistakes most others do not see?</strong><br /><br />The simple truth is that most of us do not even read…we take a look at the blurb of a book, admire how pretty or lovely the cover is and we start praising the book. This is pure illiteracy and we also destroy our black writers by doing this. The true reader becomes excited or otherwise with what is actually written, not the frills and decorations. I can’t take egotistical writers seriously<br /><br /><strong>What do you mean?</strong><br /><br />The greatest writers around, white or black – eg Ngugi, Hemingway,Morrison, Achebe – never praise themselves; not in their own books. You can not see more than one moderate photo of theirs in their books. You see young writers putting 3, 4, 5 or more photos of themselves in a book nowadays. It’s absurd. That’s why no real perceptive reader takes them seriously; that’s why the real critics do not even bother writing about their books, as things like egotism irritate them<br /><br /><strong>So why are so many new writers doing these wrong things?</strong><br /><br />They just want quick fame, instant acclamation, without going through the ropes. A writer like Flaxman Qoopane has been writing internationally for decades, many of his books are digitised on the internet from overseas universities – these things don’t happen overnight. We must learn how to crawl before we can walk, not to talk of sprinting with gusto!Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-11294048291321711702010-09-23T04:46:00.000-07:002010-09-23T04:48:50.209-07:00THE MAN AT THE HELM, KAYA MNTSANTSTA<em><em><strong>The Sports Eye</strong></em>, since its inception in early 2008 has carved a niche for itself in the genre of sports publication. Now, the Sports Eye will be published in tabloid format. O Bolaji caught up with Kaya Mntsantsa, the proud publisher whose dream of publishing a riveting monthly sports publication is already gathering shape. </em><br /><br />OB - Firstly, I must commend you for the success of <em>The Sports Eye,</em> it really made an indelible mark when it was in its magazine format, can you summarise some of its achievements?<br /><br />KM- My Chief this was a road well travelled, I will always remember our website launch (www.sportseye.co.za), The Sports Eye Launch Cup that saw about 26 teams participating with Public Works team emerging as winners and the famous Caddies Golf Tournament we hosted at the Dewetsdorp Golf Course giving game time to caddies who sometimes are only tasked with the duty of carrying bags for professional golfers. It was indeed the beginning of the much bigger things that came later.<br /><br />OB- Now you have decided to go tabloid. What informed you to make this decision? Won’t you alienate most of your readers?<br /><br />KM – The new tabloid version will be bigger and better, we are not new to the tabloid version as The Sports Eye Northern and North West have always been in the tabloid format. This is a continuation of a job well done where we will print one edition for the three provinces.<br /><br />OB - South Africans are vibrant, fanatic sports lovers, why is it that there are so few sports-specific publication?<br /><br />KM - I would like to agree with you entirely on this one and the challenge is upon us as publishers especially in the community media to roll up our sleeves and tap into this uncovered market. I must mention the fact that exclusive publications are difficult to maintain as advertisers including government departments are not all centred around sports. <br /><br />OB - South Africa hosted a superb, World Class event the FIFA World Cup 2010 recently. We are now highly respected internationally for this. What do you think are the positive spin-offs from the tournament?<br /><br />KM - We are very proud to have been publishing during the time of the World Cup; it was a fantastic moment for us. Our emails were flooded with emails from foreign people wanting to learn more about our publication. It was indeed a moment of glory. It was also significant in the sense that it changed the whole perception of the western world about Africa and truly we showed our best in all forms.<br /><br />OB – How does a publication like yours delicately balance reporting on grassroots, local, provincial, national and international sporting events?<br /><br />KM – We always concentrate on local sporting activities including profiling unsung local heroes as you can see in this edition. It is also our belief that local is lekker.<br /><br />OB -Will you say your publication is mainstream-catering for most people, or mainly for the black market?<br /><br />KM - We cater for every sporting code and we believe that through sport we can achieve the much needed unity amongst all races, remember the vibe during the World Cup, let’s build from that legacy.<br /><br />OB- We know that in modern journalism/media, marketing makes or breaks a publication. Are you prepared to ensure that in this field, you are not found wanting?<br /><br />KM - Printing the first copy of a publication is a daunting task on its own, there are enormous challenges that one needs to overcome on daily basis. However, we are already in our 18th edition and the support has been great thanks to our Free State Provincial government. <br /><br />OB- How do you see Sports Eye in the long term? Maybe four years from now? How do you intend to grow further?<br /><br />KM.-The printing of the tabloid version is one of the many initiatives geared towards growth. We are also focussing on brand awareness through community initiatives we have been part of recently. Surely in a year’s time there will be no mention of any sporting activity without our name being mentioned in the areas we are currently covering.<br /><br />OB -You are well known to many in the publishing fraternity, but how will you describe Kaya Mntsantsa the sports publisher to the world at large?<br /><br />KM - I have been engaged in printing and publishing for many years’ now. I was one of the pioneers in this field in the Free State and I have always forged ahead. It’s a challenge I took since the inception of the publication that a true publisher is the one who puts the readers first before any revenue can be generated. To me the most important thing has been to see the magazine on the street, I must well appreciate the support especially from the Free State Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, they have made the road less rocky and its my belief that together we can do more.<br /><br />OB -Good luck in this new endeavour hope it becomes the success it’s meant to be.<br /><br />KM - We will need all the luck my chief, we have also assembled a good team that will be knocking on many doors. We sincerely hope that they will open. Thanks for the opportunity.Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-33163281520254228812010-08-02T23:20:00.000-07:002010-08-02T23:27:25.759-07:00WORLD CUP FOR LADIES...<strong>LET’S ENJOY THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FINALS!</strong><br /><br /><em>The World Cup has come and gone – an outstanding success for South Africa. Yet immediately on the heels of the tournament has come the Fifa Under- 21 Women’s World Cup finals going on now. Why is it that the spotlight on the current tournament is so limited; almost non-existent? <strong>Lebohang Masisi </strong>spoke to Maria Mohanoe, Free State female football enthusiast and pundit, on this</em><br /><br />MASISI: There is a World Cup on now, for women. Why it is that apart from the very limited coverage, there is hardly any enthusiasm about it?<br /><br />MARIA: Let’s get one thing straight first – millions of women and men love female football not only in this country, but all over the world. The women’s World Cup is big – being beamed live around the world to many countries too. And we all remember the great days of South African women’s football, the days of Desiree Ellis, etc. But we must remember that the euphoria over the 2010 men’s World Cup was extraordinary; it was history for us, for Africa, hosting the world. It was just too much. There was some sort of anti-climax after we successfully staged it…it’s like we needed a break; but immediately the tournament was over, Fifa began to stage the World Cup finals for women too. For people like me I have watched more or less all the women’s games live from Germany.<br /><br />MASISI: Some people say that because South Africa did not qualify for the finals of the women’s World Cup, the interest is not just there…<br /><br />MARIA: I’m afraid I can not agree. See how during the men’s World Cup we totally supported countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast. Right now Ghana, together with Nigeria, are playing at the women’s World Cup finals, representing Africa (in Germany). We support them. The problem is that the coverage has not been really there on popular TV, not everybody has DSTV. How many people know that Ghana and Nigeria have been doing well at the women’s World Cup now? <br /><br />MASISI: What about the general standard of football for women? Many say again that it’s not up to scratch<br /><br />MARIA: Those are the ignorant ones; the people who criticize without even watching the ladies playing. Just watch the games yourself and you will see how wonderful the girls have been playing. In some ways they are much better than the men playing (football). The ladies are very skilful, but most important they do not play in a brutal, nasty, dirty way like men do many times. They respect each other. Clean football at its best. Let’s enjoy the Women’s World Cup!<br /><br /><em>NOTE: The Nigerian soccer side made it to the very final of the wmen's World Cup, defeating USA and Columbia along the way. The final match was won by Germany who beat Nigeria 2-0</em>Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-52474065913551959172010-05-05T07:01:00.000-07:002010-05-05T07:13:36.206-07:00HECTOR KUNENE SPEAKS ON HIS DEBUT BOOK<em>We caught up with an inspiring young and vibrant poet in Free State <strong>Hector Kunene.</strong> Seleke Botsime presents this awesome interview of the soon to be launched book called <strong>Through The Tunnel </strong> by HECTOR.S. Kunene.</em><br /><br /><strong>SB : How do you feel about the imminent publication of your first book ?</strong><br /><br />HK: It is quite a humbling experience having to talk about my own work going to press at this stage, I have always dreamt that one day I will have my book in the shelves of libraries throughout the country and bookshops, I know it’s a big dream and to realize it is not easy but I choose to aim for the sky and if I don’t reach it then I will fall on the stars.<br /><br /><strong>SB : Obviously you love poetry so much, how did it start for you, from childhood?</strong><br /><br />HK : I am not going to lie to you man, I only realized it when I was doing grade 10 at school. I just got inspired and started writing; I loved literature and was brilliant in understanding how to break down a poem into understanding and getting to picture the mind of a writer when he wrote the piece. I always had brilliant teachers in English so they made poetry interesting whenever they read it so I think that caught my attention. From there I wrote my first piece which was published on the school news letter. My parents were excited when I showed them my name on the bottom of the corner. As they say the rest is history but for me it is a present moment.<br /><br /><strong>SB: What do you think the role of literature, writing should be?</strong><br /><br />HK : That is a brilliant question, we writers do not only write because we can but we are conveying a message either to warn about a danger that we foresee or we could be simply expressing our feelings, the role of writing should definitely be to tell about our histories, stories for our children, to bring comics and laughter and to convey knowledge and literature best does it. <br /><br /><strong>SB : It remains a sad fact that relatively very few blacks read for leisure – poetry, drama, etc. what can be done to improve the situation?</strong><br /><br />HK : Yoh! This is a difficult one but I think we writers need to make it our role to go all out in getting people to read perhaps staring in our community where we are based and do reading campaigns and go to local radio stations and encourage the people telling them of the importance of libraries. We complain about everything whereas if we went to libraries we would find a lot of information that can help us to step out of poverty. We are not poor because we do not have money but we are poor because we think money will come to us, it actually works the other way around! e.g Money will not come to me but I need to invite money by writing a book then money will come after me. We need to provoke something in order for it to give us attention so we must provoke the people to read. Looking especially on my book <strong>Through The Tunnel</strong>, this book will provoke your thoughts about stuff, it will challenge you thinking about why you are on earth, look at the poem called the Intention of my legacy it tells you that for the fact that you are here it means there is a purpose for your life. You can see this poem on Freestatewriters.blog or you can google me. I dare you will be enlightened.<br /><br /><strong>SB : Which writers or literary activists have influenced, helped or encouraged you the most?</strong><br /><br />HK : Well first that will be the love of writing and turning a complete clean A4 page into life changing cycles. You have got to love what you do or else how do you expect somebody else to? I am in love with my own writings, after writing a piece I look at it and I call it a masterpiece artwork! This is not necessarily self praise but self confidence. I must be able to sell the piece to myself so that the next person can buy it. Ha ha ha, well back to the question sir I was inspired by William Shakespeare especially when I studied <strong>Macbeth </strong>in grade 11 and 12 so even today I still even remember the first lines of the book “when shall we three meet again, in rain, thunder or storm” which was the line of the witches. Anyway from there I continued to love the sonnets of Shakespeare about love “shall I love thee” I loved the language even thou I had to have a dictionary all the time. From there on I began to write my own sonnets and I thought wallah! I attended a Wits University point system to see if I qualified to study there and I met Kafela oa Gogodi who was going to be my Bachelor of Art in Dramatic art degree lecturer and he inspired me a lot but unfortunately I could not go to Wits due to financial constrains. Locally currently I am reading books by the great O Bolaji’s <em>Snippets,</em> a poetry book he wrote whilst he was in Cape Town, I just finished reading the book of the ladies in Free State and I am busy with Pule Lechesa and Mr. Flaxman Qoopane... Quack of Qwaqwa, I want to know who was there before me and what they did so that we do not get to repeat history.<br /><br /><strong>SB : You have a full time job, a young family yet you still read, write, produce a column regularly. How do you manage to juggle, balance all this Mr. Kunene?</strong><br /><br />HK : ( Smiling ) it is not easy baba, as a young father who recently got married, when my wife and I met she knew that I was a writer and a poet so she understands me very well although I do not take for granted that I must give her the time she needs. Being married and having a toddler in the house can be difficult for any writer so when I am at home I am the husband and when I get out I am a writer so I spend most of my time especially lunch time writing or before I go home I pass the library to do some research and write. There is a poem called In-flight joy thought, I wrote this one when I was flying from Joburg to Bloemfontein. It is also found in my book <strong>Through The Tunnel,</strong> here I was meditating about my son Ntokozo before he was born. My wife Christina also helped me in typing most of the work that I wrote when I did not have a laptop with me. She complains that I write all the time yet I never finish anything; so this is my first book going on print and I am truly humbled and blessed. I must say that at times I slip out of bed to write in the middle of the night and when I am done it feel like a massive achievement. I then sleep in peace! Thank you...Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-55504439451102424382010-04-20T23:18:00.000-07:002010-04-20T23:23:29.585-07:00"I'm proud to put the Free State on the Map"<strong></strong>
<br /><strong>“I’m proud to put the FS on the map”</strong>
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<br /><em>It is exciting times now with the World Cup just around the corner. FIFA is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that the tournament is a success. One of their projects is the FIFA training sessions even for journalists. The Free State was represented at the last session by <strong>Pule Lechesa</strong>, who jets out again to Kenya next week for the second part of the training. <strong>Free State News’</strong> Lebohang Masisi spoke to Lechesa</em>
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<br /><strong>Your general comment on your first trip to Kenya?</strong>
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<br />It was a fine learning process. Seeing the world makes one more broad-minded and makes one to realize there are countless other languages and cultures out there! Football is indeed a universal, quite unifying sport.
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<br />We had journalists from different countries such as Zimbabwe (Toni Wellington) Zambia (Augustine Mukoka) Uganda (Norman Katende) Uganda (Denis Dibele) Tanzania (Mwani Mbani) Tanzania (Saleh Ally Saleh) Uganda (David Kbanga). What impressed me with these guys was that they were pulsating with the knowledge of European and African football.
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<br /><strong>Did any of them have some prior knowledge of the Free State?</strong>
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<br />Many people I spoke to there commented on the fact that they were very impressed with the Free State Stadium which they saw on satellite TV when Spain played at the last Confederations Cup which South Africa hosted. I answered all questions about our Province (Free State) easily over there. I am always proud to put the Free State on the map!
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<br /><strong>You had a supervisor over there?</strong>
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<br />We were trained by a veteran Sports Editor, Allan Kelly, who seemed to know his ropes beyond any shadow of doubts. He has a very impressive journalistic pedigree and I regard our group as lucky as he eagerly rubbed off his prowess over us.
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<br /><strong>Some critics will say that – with all the experience you have already on covering sports, what else can you learn from such very short training sessions?</strong>
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<br /></strong>There’s always a lot to learn. As sports writers we are all different but you can always assimilate other things that make you a better writer. It’s important to avoid complacency; have your work criticized by others and hopefully you improve in the process
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<br /><strong>Of course you write a lot on sports yourself. But your own style of writing – full of big words, adjectival; don’t you risk alienating many of your readers?</strong>
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<br />I prefer to believe that my readers are intelligent, and anyway they’ll appreciate learning sometimes from what I write! But I think my column is simple enough, from the reactions I get from readers.
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<br /><strong>Good luck with your trip</strong>
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<br />(Smiling broadly) Thanks
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<br />Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3004551529592381953.post-41599125453311217322010-03-26T01:29:00.000-07:002010-03-26T01:37:04.563-07:00WATCHING SUGAR MAN<em>The movie, <strong>Sugar Man</strong> is now being seen in the townships of the Free State. Already well known internationally, the movie is written, edited and directed by Aryan Kaganof. Urbain Tila the first black man to produce a movie based on Bloemfontein city spoke with Jerry Seekoei about “Sugar Man”</em><br /><br /><strong>JERRY</strong>: You’ve now watched the movie, <em>Sugar Man.</em> What was your general impression about it?<br /><br /><strong>TILA</strong>: You know the interesting thing in our townships is how so many people can gather together to watch, exchange the DVD in question; so it has been with <em>Sugar Man</em>. There was one particular viewing session where over 25 people were watching the movie in a private house! To be honest, I think Sugar Man is very well produced, never mind its being shot by cell phone. It’s professionally done, with fine angles of shooting. That it was done in Jozy heightens the interest.<br /><br />JERRY: But virtually all our black people who watched the movie have expressed anger and frustration that the black men could not sleep with such attractive white ladies in the movie.<br /><br />TILA: Yes, that aspect, from our point of view, is unconvincing. We know that most black people – especially those virile young looking blacks in <em>Sugar Man</em> – will in reality be very excited about those women and will easily sleep with them. And these white women were very seductive, dancing, exposing their boobs etc. So why couldn’t those blacks rise to the occasion?<br /><br />JERRY: And they (the blacks) paid Sugar Man a lot of money to sleep with those ladies…<br /><br />TILA: That’s another thing (laughing) You know many of our people whilst watching the movie say something like: ‘If it was me I won’t waste such large money on a pimp. Even in Bloem here we know the many places where you can pick up an attractive white prostitute for 200 rand or even less! You don’t need the services of a pimp for that!'<br /><br />JERRY: What about the portrayal of Sugar Man himself in the movie?<br /><br />TILA: I thought there was something strange about it. Maybe because we are blacks…I mean, we know quite a few “pimps” locally and they are “jolly” fellows, not remote like Sugar Man; they (local pimps) in fact get intimate with their “girls” so to speak, they protect their monetary interests but they are passionate people!<br /><br />JERRY: Did you read Bolaji’s review of the movie?<br /><br />TILA: Of course. I read it very early this morning. But the “review” was not really a review; you know Bolaji is always trying to be fair. What he did was that he just largely published the comments and opinion of Aryan Kaganof on his movie!<br /><br />JERRY: Are you saying there is something wrong with the writer, producer of a movie coming out to express his own thoughts, inspiration, on producing a book or movie?<br /><br />TILA: No, I am not saying that. I mean – we have seen writers like George Orwell during his time coming out to confront reviewers, critics, of his classics like <em>Animal Farm</em> and <em>1984</em>; with Orwell insisting that he did not like the way many of these commentators were misunderstanding what he had published…what I remember from Bolaji’s “review”; his own personal comment, is briefly that the movie, Sugar Man is sensuous!<br /><br />JERRY: But <em>Sugar Man</em> is definitely sensuous<br /><br />TILA: Of course it is! Great seductive scenes which come to nothing in the end in most cases! I love the part of those white ladies when they engage in love play, erotic scenes. It is very gripping. Tender, and…I know they’ll call me crazy – but the scenes look somehow <em>decent</em>. Like the ladies really like each other, are fond of each other…I don’t know how to explain it.Jerryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01911836729561772673noreply@blogger.com0