SHOCKER OVER FLAXMAN QOOPANE

Shocker over Flaxman Qoopane

By Mphutlane wa Bofelo (Prominent poet and literary activist)

"WHEN WRITERS JOIN THE STRUGGLE AGAINST STRUGGLING WRITERS
As for the poets, do not listen to them. Do you not see them, how they wander in every valley , and utter what they do not do?"- Quran

I feel angry and disppointed, my strong faith in human beings has been shaken a bit and my cynical attitude towards the breed that calls itself , "voices of the voiceless" is bound to increase. We always rave against the exploitation of literary, visual and performing artists and point our middle-fingers at the middle-men\women who rake in millions at the expense of writers while the guys who do all the hardwork die as paupers and only receive post-humous allocades. But what happens when writers abuse the confidence that fellow writers have in them to become more shrewd, heartless and kleptomaniac middle-men?

I met the renowned Bloemfontein poet, journalist, writer and "literary activist", Flaxman Qoopane at the launch of my book “The Heart’s Interpreter” in 2007. He was a guest speaker at our event and his talk incited a long debate on kagablog about elitist and grassroots\ organic writers, good and bad poetry, etc. At the launch Qoopane introcuded himself to me as a book agent and offered to sell my books for me. Though he could not recall me, I had met Qoopane in the 90's in Bloemfontein at a writers and artists conference discussing the white paper on arts and culture, and I also had read reviews of his works in newspapers. Because of his reputation as a literary activist and the fact that his credentials includes former MK fighter,.I immediately gave him a copy each of "Remembrance and Salutation" and " The Heart's Interpreter". He requested these to be able to show to prospective book-buyers.

Trying to get in contact with Qoopane on his mobile-phone after this became a very difficult task. His phone was continously on the voicemail or it rang without him picking it up. This made me to smell a rat. So, in November 2008, when he contacted me to tell me that the Free State Library Services wanted to buy 150 copies of my book through his Qoopane Literary Services, I asked him to put this in writing. Qoopane had told me on the phone that the library will buy my book, which cost, R100.00 at R60.00 a copy and he will take 10% commission. I had sold 150 copies of "The Heart's Interpreter" to the Free State Library Services without a middle-man before. There was absolutely no need to sell through Qoopane Literary Services other than just affirm a fellow writer and poet.

As I said, Qoopane's erratic behavior had made me feel jumpy, but my faith in humanity and my compassion for the underdog prevailed. Qoopane later wrote an e-mail with the following contents:

"My name is Jacob M. Qoopane. My company is Qoopane Literary Services cc registration No: 2008/19955/23. Our principal business is publishing, selling of books and literary gallery research. Send me 150 books Remembrance And Salutations by Mphutlane Wa Bofelo. Each book will cost a price of R60.00. After selling your book I will appreciate to be given 10% of R9000.00."
Yours creative writing,
Jacob Qoopane
2591 Hillside View
Bloemfontein
9323
073 565 7783

I then informed him that there are only 120 copies and he said I should post them. I posted the books to his address and he later acknowledged receipt of the books to me and confirmed this to my Bloemfontein-based fellow poet, Serame Makhele aka Icebound, as I had included two copies of Bluesology and Bofelosophy, one for Qoopane and one for Icebound. As soon as Qoopane had received the books, he stopped calling me and his mobile phone started going on voicemail or ringing forever without anyone answering. I enquired with Icebound about the whereabout of Qoopane and expressed my fear that he could be ill. Icebound got in touch with Qoopane who indicated that he had been ill, but is feeling better. Strangely I could not get in touch with him. When I finally got hold of him in May this year Qoopane told me that he will contact me at month-end and quickly put the phone down.

On Sunday ( 31` May 2009) I contacted Qoopane on his moblile phone and he told me he will talk to me on Monday (1 June 2009). I asked him whether the library services had given him the money. He replied, " I will give you your money from my pocket tomorrow". I asked:" Does this mean they have paid you?" He answered , "No, but I will give your money from my pocket." He promised to call me on Monday to take my account numbers.

On Monday (1 June 2009). I called the Library Services to enquire if they had bought the books. A lady by the name Annemarie confirmed that the library bought 120 copies and had paid Qoopane Literary Services for it in January this year (2009)! It is two o'clock on Monday (1 June), Qoopane has not returned to me and his phone keeps sending me straight to voicemail. Still having some hope in human beings, I leave a voice message, giving him two days to give me my money before I take legal action.

But how can writers do this to each other? Is it sheer greed or the conditions of being desperate? If it is the latter, why is it so difficult to pick up a phone and say "Listen my brother, I am sorry, the times wehere hard , and I used your money and I do not have the money now. I cannot promise you when to repay you, I am just broke" Of course, the times are hard, we all know that, if a brother is that honest there is nothing you can do but understand. But this nuisance, playing hide-and-seek, I just cannot take or understand, from a (former) freedom fighter nogal. Ja, you just have to be careful when you deal with people who tell you "I was in the struggle", when the struggle is far from being over.

* The matter has since been resolved