THE POETRY OF PULE LECHESA

Book: The Legacy we leave behind (poetry)
Author: Pule Lechesa
Publisher: Phoenix Press, Ladybrand, and Lesotho (2004)
(Republished, 2006 and 2010)



Pule Lechesa (left) and O Bolaji


Pule Lechesa, born and bred in Ladybrand, has been described as “the mighty bard from the dorp”. He started reciting his poems publicly at rallies, social gatherings and functions from the tender age of 17. He worked as a volunteer court interpreter at the Ladybrand District Magistrates’ Court. He is also a motivational speaker who holds sway at schools, prisons, Colleges et al.

Interestingly the book, The legacy we leave behind, is dedicated to a very young five year old boy “who was knocked down by a speeding lorry and died on the spot. However on the same day his mother gave birth to a wonderful baby named Relebohile; i e ‘we are so grateful to God’!”

The poet’s elevated language is at his best whilst delineating the life of the lost young one:

“Descending like a tantalising dark-cloud...
Hovering and floating on high o’er vales and mountains
Carrying heralds of hope to revive our dessicated fountains...”

(Page 7)

The empathy of the poet is convincing enough; especially in a poem like “Divorcee’s Elegy” which also contains rhythmical rhymes to boot:

“Her memory gone dead; utterly dead
The scar consequent upon the truncheon on her forehead
The taste-buds of an erstwhile love life tickled
The appetite of the other matrimony tarnished
‘Men are cut from the same odious cloth’ soliloquised her...”

(Page 13)

It is clear enough that in this his maiden collection of poetry, Pule Lechesa has been very much influenced by the western tradition of writing, with echoes of old-fashioned English heritage surrounding his poetry. Lechesa hence reminds us of great Black African poets like Christopher Okigbo and Lenrie Peters who were heavily influenced by western literature.

The poems in this work are:

Artisan of joy is no more
The milk skins
Mine God giveth life
I am free to be me
Divorcee’s elegy
Mending the broken pot
Everything is against my will
The lady in purple
African renaissance
Thoughts on life
Losing a friend
The legacy we leave behind
Peace
What is in a name?
Alone all alone
Who am I?
Fare thee well
No more is our milk kine
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pule Lechesa’s debut collection of poems is very promising.

*Courtesy of the Eclectic Writers’ Club. Originally published in 2004

OMOSEYE BOLAJI

A new book by Hector Kunene (2010)
The latest and most comprehensive study on writer Omoseye Bolaji!
Pages: 117
Published by New Voices (Cape Town)

This book description is taken from Open Library:

“This is the latest, and most comprehensive study, of Omoseye Bolaji, the black African writer. The author (or editor) Hector Kunene, furnishes us with an excellent Introduction, and ends this work with a superb, cosmopolitan interview with Bolaji himself. This work contains almost 30 articles, essays, write-ups, critiques etc on various aspects of Omoseye Bolaji's literary works. A must read for anybody interested in African writing.”

Poem by Hector Kunene dedicated to Omoseye Bolaji

I shall not praise you!
For effortlessly taking your own time
Why should you be thanked for your own free will working for your own black skin?
For your own toils that led to your own achievements and your own blood that you sweated for your own glory
The very mystery still persists for explanation as to why you wrote your well known pieces yet nothing much is known about you
I shall not praise you!
Who cares about your ability to transfer thoughts into paper?
When anybody can speak their minds even if they are improper?
This world is but a stage for expressions
Where individuals walk as they please to satisfy their feet for journeys
I shall not praise you!
I shall not take off my hat for you
I shall neither salute thee nor permit thee to be saluted for honour!
For honour is meant for giants who step into the ring and be felt of their being!
Those who march and sweat blood whilst we sting them with their bees
They flee and get rewarded with fruitful crowns that end up rusting of their fingerprints!
I shall not praise thee! ...
(from page 23 of the book, OMOSEYE BOLAJI, by Hector Kunene)

TEBOHO MASAKALA'S FIRST BOOK

By F Qoopane

Free State writer and dramatist Teboho Andries Masakala’s short-story collection Mind, Pen, Paper and Ideas has been published.

Teboho Masakala said: “The book consists of six short stories. It is about friendship, love, betrayal, tragedy and a lesson in life. It teaches people to be aware of some aspects in life including betrayal by some friends and life in general.”

According to Masakala, a short story to him is a way to express his mind and his feelings. “When I put my ideas on a paper, I connect my characters with my readers through the short stories I have written. My readers experience the way I feel through my writing”

When Teboho joined the Goronyane High School in Thaba Nchu, Free State, in South Africa in 2003, he read a number of books including Harry Potter and the chamber of the Secret, Prisoner of Azban and all other series of the Harry Potter books. He was also influenced by the writings of Bessie Head (Maru) and of Chinua Achebe; namely books like No longer at ease and The Voter.

Masakala recalls: “When I was 14 years old, I wrote my first short story titled: Aaliyah Through Her Eyes and Tears. It is about Aaliyah’s sufferings after the death of her parents. My English teacher, and also a debate teacher Ratshui Kgotso from Goronyane High School liked my work especially the way I unfolded my characters through tears and tragedy in the short-story”

He attended Selosesha Primary School in Thaba Nchu. “I was introduced to reading English books by my teacher and Principal, Kelopile Moletsane. We read illustrated short story books including Maggie the Magic Snake. And when I was 12 years old I enjoyed reading Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare” he adds.

In 2007, while visiting the Selosesha Public library in Thaba Nchu he read some books written by Omoseyi Bolaji. “In 2008, when I was at the Bloemfontein Public Library I noticed Mr
e Bolaji and I introduced myself to him as an up-and-coming writer. He took me to his Office at the Free State News where he introduced me to Free State Black Literature and he also encouraged me to send some of my short stories to his newspaper – which he published”

THABA NCHU LITERATURE FORGES AHEAD

By Teboho Masakala

Over the years Thaba Nchu has not been regarded as a place of pulsating literature because there are few, or maybe limited writers to emerge out of it. Places like Bloemfontein have always been given preference over Thaba Nchu as it has many writers.

However, Thaba Nchu has writers that are still yet to be discovered, as there are a lot of poets in Thaba Nchu that can help change the face of literature in our place, with fine authors, and also a poet known as Richard “Skietreker” Seape having published a book called “AFRIKAANS EK GAAN JOU BOKS”. The gentleman who is also a literary activist has given Thaba Nchu writers some foundation to exhibit their work.

On a personal note, with my up-coming collection of short stories to be entitled “MIND, PEN, PAPER AND IDEAS” I also hope to revive the talent of literature that is still hidden in THABA NCHU- interested people can read my short story on wwww.google.com and search for Teboho Masakala.

One of the problems we have in Thaba Nchu is the lack of publishers. If there can at least be one or two publishers to publish our work that would have given us as the writers of Thaba Nchu some platform to start somewhere; and another problem is that publishers are very expensive and it costs a lot of money to publish a single book and that scares and de-motivates our aspiring authors

In the meantime we as writers in Thaba Nchu are very very scarce, only few grassroots people like books and read them, you will find few people reading novels while others are reading academic books just only to pass and after that they throw them away. I have taken it up on myself as a young author to make sure that Thaba Nchu is one of the places to be considered when coming to literature and to see to it that we have more writers and poets to be proud of.

Well known and internationally acclaimed writer Ntate Bolaji is one of the established and well known authors who have always encouraged writers to excel and to love writing. Thaba Nchu needs to be a reading place; we need to start our own book clubs to showcase our talent to the rest of Mangaung and Free State as a whole. We have very good poets; one of them is Doraldo poet who is well known as Abel.

I think that it is time Thaba Nchu authors got out of hiding and joined me to make sure that we make our place a well known place when coming to literature with its Authors known - another problem is our authors might not have pride in their place, many are even shy to say that they come from Thaba Nchu!

Thus far I have only released two short stories with a Bloemfontein local newspaper called Free State news and the literary world was happy about me and that made me feel proud about Thaba Nchu, my place where I garnered my writing foundation, I am not even shy to say that I come from this place, I love literature and hope to be a great author like Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, O Bolaji, Zakes Mda etc

It is time we got together to make sure that there is a rise in Thaba Nchu literature, aluta continua, the struggle to make Thaba Nchu literature a success continues…
Email me for your comment on www.tebohomasakala@yahoo.com

Teboho Masakala is a very young man who loves literature and avows that he wants to change the face of literature in Thaba Nchu His short stories can be read on the internet

FS AUTHOR GETS PLAUDITS FOR NEW WORK

By M Mofokeng

The literary fraternity of the Free State, and beyond, is raving over a new work of fiction just published by a black female author.

The voluminous work, titled DEEPEST SPRINGS is written by the Mangaung based writer, NMM Duman, and the high quality of the novel is sending many literary figures into a frenzy. "It's a great, great work," well known Free State poet Raselebeli Khotseng, told Mangaung Issue. "A novel comparable to the best in Africa's rich literary history. A masterpiece really"

Literary critic, Paul Lothane, also insisted that Deepest Springs is world class. "Mme Duman is a great pride to the Free State, South Africa and the continent in general. Her great work is as good, or even better than the work of Africa's best black female writers like Tsitsi Dangaremgba and Sindiwe Magona"

Lothane added: "These are very exciting times for FS black literature. Duma can hold her head high anywhere after producing such a fantastic novel. I agree with Bolaji's international review of Deepest Springs (on the internet) where he insists that Duman's work bears comparison to that of the legendary Bronte (Charlotte and Emily) sisiters. We are all proud of her (Duman)"
- Courtesy of Mangaung Issue July 7 2010 edition

LAUNCHING DUMAN'S DEEPEST SPRINGS

BY HECTOR KUNENE

Dateline: 18th June 2010

LAUNCHING DUMAN’S DEEPEST SPRINGS

It was an inspiring, unforgettable affair as the voluminous, imaginative work, Deepest Springs, by NMM Duman was launched in the city of Roses.

Firstly, I must say that the library space that was used was very welcoming and showed that a major preparation and decorations were taken into deep consideration. From the poets who rendered their pieces - the likes of Mr. Magic Raselebeli Khotseng to Mr. Kgang Abel Motheane and yours truly (Hector Kunene) was absolutely amazing.

The charming Charmaine Mrwebi was the chairlady and addressed the crowd of about 35 guests well with great motivation for the young writers who still want to get their work published. She also emphasized that it is of vital role for authors to use their mother tongue in order to promote indigenous languages.

Hector Kunene delivered a pulsating speech and a poem called a Life of a woman and dedicated it to the Author of the day, Mrs. Duman. Mr. Motheane stated that it is important for writers to express themselves and tell stories from generation to generation. He also motivated more on bridging the gap and learning other languages; as a result he is a living example as some of his books he has written in Zulu, Sotho Tswana, Pedi and Xhosa.

Mr. Raselebeli blazed the crowd with a poem called “If wishes were horses” and got the crowd “eating out of his palms” The book reading by three ladies who rendered a couple of chapters of the book gave an alarming call about the character of Dikeledi and Kuena whom it is a responsibility of all to find out by reading the book which will soon be available in the library however the contacts are available for those who would love to purchase a copy.

I understood the book to be multi-diversity in terms of where the author was aiming to reach. It is politically and culturally inclined. There is a point of beginning and it reaches climax at a certain point and the only way to get to the full story is by reading it.

I enjoyed the humility of the writer herself when she took the stage and addressed her crowd. I felt her sense of humility and the love for writing as she explained that the over 400 paged book was actually double the size it is now, so the publisher had to speak her down in cutting the story for printing! I said to myself: “Yoh this great woman can write!”, and right there she demonstrated that you don’t need to write according to schedule. She pulled a bank letter that she also wrote on it a new story; now that is a writer that means business.

I was also captivated by her smile and her pride of achievement that was hidden deep inside her humble voice; and she exhumed with brio and a level of excellence as she presented her love for writing and that she was actually inspired by her mother who told her stories. By now I was gasping for air, wondering what she was going to say next as she rivaled with words and made pure sense. Although she did not want to sell the book herself but I could tell that she had it covered as she did not go into details about the book price… but then came her husband who spoke more about money and publishers other than other things.

The book cover was designed by the author’s daughter, so I guess a family has shown us that together working as one we can achieve many. Apparently the other daughters also write, so I take it that we must expect a lot from the Duman family! The book looks brilliant outside and I picked up that once you start reading it you will never stop until you are finished. At some point I wanted to swipe my card right there and buy a copy - however there was no facility to do this but I owe myself a copy.

Last but not least Mrs. Duman seemed more to me like Bessie Head. Her style of writing reminded me of the book I read years ago called Maru by Bessie Head and apparently the book also has a character called Dikeledi. After the launch I grabbed myself a sandwich as I avoided a queue behind Mrs. Duman and when I approached her she was signing an autograph to another fan so I waited for her to finish and whilst I was talking with her, another fan was queuing behind me so you can imagine what the future holds for Duman. I wish her all the best and I must say she has challenged me and other writers based in Free State and the outside world.

By the way, our brilliant author started writing her book in 1996 - and it’s just been released in 2010! Do the Maths; now who can say dreams don’t come true! She will do great and with that size of the book it means business. What a humble woman she is. May God bless her work….

The sparkling poetry of Teboho Mohanoe

By O Bolaji

When we read something - be it a piece of prose or poetry, we often want it to interest us, to fascinate us, to come across as fresh, as the experts say. Normally the language used in poetry is supposed to be heightened hence those we refer to as "poets" often have impressive facility with words.

A poet like Job Mzamo (in Mangaung) is a sort of wordsmith, using language and imagery to fascinate us, knocking words into light, bouncy, lissome, even irreverent, burnished shapes; and creating poetry in the process. Teboho Mohanoe is on the way to becoming a sophisticated poet, and this short essay is about him.

My main concern here is his poem, "Mary" published in his book, Enter the Night (DRUFOMA 2001). It is one of his simpler poems, but one with a powerful message. The message comes across at the very end. In this poem the poet begins by telling us about how a particular lady is abused, is long suffering. Then the very end:

"And she was buried today"

This haunting ending is proof enough that the poet has succeeded admirably at putting across his message - and in a style which is simple enough. The freshness of the poem reaches an apogee by using this style.

In fact the way the poem is structured reminds me of a poem, "Just a passer by". By Oswald Mtshali. (Published in "A selection of African Poetry" edited by Senanu and Vincent) In this poem, the poet describes how a man was gruesomely killed, as if (the poet) does not really care. Then he goes home, and a woman neighbour says to him:

"Have you heard? They’ve killed your brother"

"O No! I heard nothing. I’ve been to Church"

The strength of the poem lies in the fact that the poet is ultimately being ironic and sarcastic; for he not only heard about the death; he witnessed it himself!

The first time I read Mohanoe’s poem, "Mary", I asked him whether he had read Mtshali’s poem (referred to above), and in his typical inscrutable, inconclusive manner, Mohanoe just smiled and nodded. Maybe he was impressed by the much earlier Mtshali poem hardly matters; as Mohanoe’s "Mary" is distinctive in its own right.

Lovers of poetry might also draw a parallel between Mohanoe’s poem, and Michael Echeruo’s "Threnody" (Also published in the book, "A Selection of African Poetry"). Here the poet light heartedly seems to be rejoicing with the world (nature); then suddenly:

"I caught my doveIn the heart of spring
And I was dead!"

This type of conclusion tends to jolt the reader’s attention, resulting in concentrated bafflement and interest. And such writing appeals to a large number of people.

HOW DO I TALK ABOUT MY ORDEAL?

New book by Maxwell Perkins Kanemanyanga

“Maiwe –mama - we –mama - we, can somebody please help me!,” she could not fight back anymore. All she could do was just kick and scream but to no avail. The monster grabbed her with his iron like, muscular hands. “If you continue making noise I am going to kill you. I can slaughter you even now, you hear me?” He looked her straight in the eyes, wearing a face of brutality with red eyes and she continued sobbing looking on the ground. She realized he meant what he said. In her heart she was just praying that he would just take whatever he wanted and leave her alive.

Maze was a pretty, intelligent, smart and innocent girl with a very bight future. She was the kind of girl who could not even kill an insect. Her mother always used to fight with her because she was scared even to slaughter a chicken. Her defense was that even though it was meat she always felt sorry to end its life.

Just sixteen years old, she was developing into a very beautiful woman like her mother. Having been raised in a strict family, she was determined to do well in her life. Her father was a pastor at a mission in the village and her mother was also teaching at the same mission. All she wanted in life was to become a nurse; surely she could make it because she was bright and committed to her school work. Even her mother agreed that, it was the best profession for her because she was very kind. In the near future she wanted to go and study her nursing in the city close to her one and only David.

David, her boyfriend was her senior at school. He was an intelligent young man but very short tempered. Everyone, even his teachers knew that he was a no nonsense young man. David passed his matric very well and went on to study medicine at the university. Even though he was far in the middle of the city he continued to communicate with his sweetheart. Maze was really the darling of his family, they all loved her. It was also the same situation at Maze’s family, they all loved David. They wished the two will get married and grow old together.

If only she knew what she was going to meet today she would have stayed home. But such is life; we never know what tomorrow brings. Maze spent the whole morning and afternoon at home. In the afternoon her best friend from school, Memory came to visit her. The two young friends spent the afternoon studying, gossiping and giggling. Memory was staying about two kilometers away from the mission. It was in the same village but there was a forest in between. When it was almost Sunset, Maze accompanied her friend to her place. “Maze my dear you have to go back home. I do not want your parents to panic for no reason.” The two friends hugged each other and went different directions.

Moses was a very talented footballer but very ill disciplined. His teachers told him to work hard and take football as a career but to no avail. He liked to drink and smoke. Some even suspected that he was a drug addict. He ran away from school without even finishing his matric. It is always like this - once a student starts drinking and smoking. It is not easy to concentrate on school work. Smoking is addictive and not all students have the money to buy cigarettes even though they like blow the smoke in the air. Moze, as he was known by his friends, joined a junior team. Sometimes he would go to training sometimes they would never see him even for more than a week. The coaches liked him very much but they could not do anything with his ill discipline.

One day his coach saw Moses’ picture in the paper. The police were looking for him in connection with house robbery. Moses ran away from the city to a small village where he knew people don’t see newspapers everyday. It was in this forest that he met helpless Maze coming from her friend’s place.

She never saw him coming. But judging by the way he grabbed her by the waist she knew she was in deep trouble. There was no way she could fight this monster. He was strong, muscular and evil. “Your chance to survive lies in doing what I want you to do. If you want to be stubborn I will show you that I can be stubborn too.’’, she could not reply, all she could do was sob.

Moses carried the poor sobbing girl away from the small road to the small shrubs far away. He laid her on the ground, tore her pants and forcibly opened her legs….

Read the rest of this short story, in the new book of stories: HOW DO I TALK ABOUT MY ORDEAL? by Maxwell Perkins Kanemanyanga. Those interested in the book can phone 071 0446879

WRITER HONOURED

The Bloemskrywerskring (Writers’ club) of Heidedal in Mangaung has presented author Omoseye Bolaji with an award for his outstanding contributions to Free State, and African literature. He was given a trophy and certificate for producing “excellent, thrilling fiction on a consistent basis”

The award was presented to Bolaji by Marika Du Plessis, Secretary of the club, who said: “Libraries are of very great significance, as the young ones should learn good habits of reading from an early age. The great thing about Mr. Bolaji is that his books have a lot of appeal because of their local colour. His literary productivity has been very consistent and seems to scale new heights on a yearly basis”

Omoseye Bolaji has published well over ten books of gripping fiction. He created the Tebogo Mystery series which is now world famous. Books under this series include Tebogo Investigates, Tebogo’s spot of bother and Tebogo Fails. Bolaji is also the author of novels like People of the Townships, The Ghostly Adversary, and Impossible Love.

Flaxman Qoopane, well known Free State writer and long-time colleague of Bolaji, said: “It is a pity that African writers are not celebrated in great fashion, unlike their counterparts overseas. It’s very irritating, but we hope things will become better. For example I have inaugurated a literary museum, but so many of our people do not know the importance of this. This produces the incongruous situation where writers like Bolaji are celebrated overseas much more than they are in their own continent”

Indeed, Omoseye Bolaji is now one of Africa’s top creative writers. This can be ascertained from the hundreds of references on his writings on the internet. Among many awards, Bolaji was the first black person to be conferred with the Chancellor’s Medal by the University of the Free State (in 2007)

Bolaji, who lives in Bloemfontein, is the author of over 20 books which are internationally recognized. They include The Termagant, The Guillotine, The Subtle Transgressor, Tebogo and the Haka, Tebogo and the epithalamion, and Tebogo and the pantophagist.

- Courtesy of FS Sun (May 28 2010 edition)

XULU DIES

Muntu Xulu part of warp and weft of Zulu Literature Muntu Jeremiah Xulu, novelist, playwright, former teacher, journalist and editor died after a long illness at his home in Vukazenzele, Mangaung in Bloemfontein on the 05th May 2010.

Bekumthetho S.Nkosi from Bhekuzulu in Kwa-Zulu Natal told Free State News “Muntu was my relative, he was an outstanding novelist, playwright and comedian. He published many novels, plays and a book of jokes in his own Zulu Language which was widely read at schools and universities in the country. Xulu had the gift of the pen.”

Jeremiah published the following novels in Zulu, Kunje Ke! published by Shutter and Shutter Publishers in 1987, Amalutha Emalutheni published by Educum Publishers in 2000, Amathe Nolimi published by Shutter and Shutter in 1997, Uthando Lunjeke published by N.G Kerk Printing Press in 1978, Nondela Mtanami Nondela published by Longman Publishers in 1988 and Mahlayana Mahlayana published by Shutter and Shutter publishers in 1981.

As a result of his contribution to the Zulu literature, the national Museum in Bloemfontein honoured him as part of their literary exhibition.Nhlanhlanhle L.Xulu from New Castle in Kwa-Zulu Natal said “My father studies journalism at Kitwe School of Journalism in Zambia in 1957 – 1958. He did another journalism course with the International correspondence School of Journalism in London, Britain in 1964 – 1969,”

He was born on 28 November 1930 in Johannesburg. He grew up in Kwa-Zulu Natal. In 1950 he completed his Teachers Training diploma at Umphumulo Institution.He was buried at the South Park Cemetery in Mangaung on 15 May 2010.

- F Qoopane

Modern trappings in Tebogo and the Haka

By Pule Lechesa


Recent fictional works reflect how the world has moved on in the New Millennium, positively affecting the lives of countless black people at grassroots level all over Africa . This patent trend can be seen for example in Omoseye Bolaji’s work of fiction, Tebogo and the haka

We read and re-read our old favourites, novels, plays etc written by distinguished African writers over the decades and we are struck about the rather old-age ambience of such works. We feel that there is something missing – and most likely that thing is modern technology. Pick up Njabulo Ndebele’s classic, Fools for example and the ambience seems not so different from the setting of 19th century books like Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.Yet Zamani, the protagonist in Fools, is a school teacher and “middle class” in orientation. But he has few comforts compared with the modern world perks. Not even electricity. Nowadays we are awash with modern gadgets and technology and these things are incorporated into modern fiction.

Gone are the days when stationary phones and faxes were the ultimate in technology as can be seen from thousands of books published just a few decades ago.The face of the modern world has changed so much that most people now have access to things like cell phones, the Internet and ipods. In fact it is understood that in some African countries now “even beggars have one two or more cell phones”. This shows how the whole world has changed. Very few African blacks might have access to internet in their private house but with so many “Internet cafes” all over the place – not to talk of at many libraries – the world has opened up, so to speak.

Hence Tebogo Mokoena , the private investigator of the Tebogo Mystery series reflects this exposure to modern technology, moreso in Tebogo and the haka. His wife, Khanyi, is in France but of course she keeps in touch with him thanks to modern technology, via emails and by phone. SMS (text messages) keep their love glowing despite the vast physical distances between them:

“Before I slept, I was delighted to receive a text (SMS) message from my wife, Khanyi. She reiterated her love for me, said Paris was great but she would prefer to be with me. ‘Sweet dreams honey,’ she ended, ‘big, big kisses’….I slept well”
(Tebogo and the haka)

As we see later on in the book SMS messages add to the mystery of the story as the plot unravels (but I do not want to give the plot away here); also, as part of the deference to modernity at the end of the book we are told about “slick, sophisticated tape recorder on my person”Despite the fact that Tebogo is in a small town (Ladybrand) he still has time to go to the Internet. As we are told:

“He (the owner of the Internet shop) smiled. ‘Ah, sometimes we just open for a few hours. Now people are becoming more interested in the Internet. Alas, right now, only one computer is working well. You can pay for 30 minutes, an hour…to user the internet’‘An hour would be fine,’ I said. ‘I’d like to catch up with my emails…’ I paid for an hour and read my disappointingly few emails. I had hardly spent 15 minutes here and I was more or less through…’”

(Tebogo and the haka)

Other aspects of the story/mystery here involve recordings being made and being shown on computers (not on TV which apparently has become common place!). We are no longer surprised these days that many people at grassroots level have access to computers and sophisticated recorders. It is all part of our modern trappings – which keeps on improving and growing daily.

There are some people who believe that the modern generation has lost a lot (spiritually and intellectually), with so much technology around; that the likes of the Bronte sisters 200 years ago (Emily and Charlotte, to mention the most famous duo) honed their intellect because there was no electricity then (so no electrical gadgets at the time) – that they had ample time to think, go for walks, meditate and construct. The quality of their published works certainly shows their awesome intellect.

However others point out that with so much knowledge available to the world now – accessible more or less instantaneously from the Internet – people are over-spoilt for choice now and can avail themselves of wonderful opportunities. Certainly writers continue to write, and reflect and complement the goings-on in our world, as can be seen from Omoseye Bolaji’s Tebogo and the Haka.
* Originally published in 2009 in Lentswe. Slightly revised here

THE INTENTION OF MY LEGACY

The intention of my legacy

A poem by Hector S Kunene

I am.
My birth symbolised irreversible revolution
I am glad I was not aborted, though I can never dispute a possible thought
My legacy lives on between my thoughts and my action
This life is but a flowing river from one to fill the other yet maintaining its origin.
These are the defining moments of where my ability is to bring about existence
These are the times of my true expressions releasing my inner potential
These times were recorded in the big book time before my journey began
My breaths and wreaths, sweats and statistics of my life were before I am.
I stretch my thoughts till my veins pound blood clots of ideas
Questioning time after time the true potential bared before my path
My legacy to toll and scroll down the life I aspired every breath I took
I finally understood the true meaning of my purpose of my legacy on earth
This life will not surpass my hard efforts in vain
I will never bear a fruitless crown on my walks long before I fall
This world can take a gift and send it to the dogs for a game of fouls
There is a true meaning of one's existence, every one's existence!
There is magnificence in a spoken word
There is a certain equivocal meanings that one is imperative to find
This life is of no use for the useless mind
I am.
I stand by my word that binds and defines who I am. H.S. Kunene

THE OTHER SIDE OF PASSION

The other side of Passion

By O Bolaji

Dynamite in pulchritudinous form
Delectable contours attenuating the masculine will
Statuesque figure, model-like
Her carriage deliciously beguiling
Tantalising, knowledgeably sensuous lips
Eyes reeling one in, ineluctably
Skin alluringly refulgent
And dressed to kill

Dare I confess -
That I trembled at her seductive hearth?
That I dreamed of having her as mine
Impossible. An absurd ludicrous dream!
But the dream came true...
Maggie intoxicatingly became mine
Days and nights of bliss. Unbridled passion
So dreams do come true

Hayibo, now the dream has metamorphosed
Into grisly, Technicolour nightmare
My body is rocked with disease
Purulent outgrowths all over
And panoply of others in its wake
Maggie has given me a "social disease"!
Perhaps even Aids?
Hearken to my pathos and cries

- From the book, Snippets (1998) by O Bolaji

THE HANDS OF A SWEET WOMAN

THE HANDS OF A SWEET WOMAN

(Dedicated to Gloria Marobele)

By Hector Kunene

As blazing as a furnace
As smooth as a new born leaf
As perfect as a porter’s art
As pure as the essence of her presence

She graced us with her smile of honour
She touched us and we turned gold
She walked in a room and it turned master bold

The hands of a sweet woman
We were robbed by a silly car accident
Yet we never forget her touched items
Her fingerprints remain a memory of statue

What artist would not appreciate her posture
Her cleavage and her voice of excellent melody
How we miss her worldly felt presence
Hoping she lies in her congenial peace of eternity

(Inspired by S Botsime)

LECHESA FOR KENYA

Well known Free State writer, essayist, critic, poet, who is also the Sports Editor of Public Eye newspaper in Free State, Pule Lechesa, will be going to Kenya in the first round of a training course organised by the AFP foundation and FIFA in the programme called Win in Africa, with Africa associated with the 2010 World Cup to be hosted in South Africa in June.

The five days training session will take place in Nairobi from March 15 to Friday March 19. The effervescent Lechesa said: "The World Cup is going to be a run away succes as we are ready in all respects. The local and international journalists were taken in a tour 100 days countdown to the beginning of the tournament. They all spoke in unison saying that South Africa is ready."

Check out these links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pule_Lechesa

http://www.freestate-black-literature.co.za/article15.html

HECTOR KUNENE: YOUNG POET GLITTERS

Hector Kunene...

Hector Kunene is a young South African aspiring poet, who was born and bred at Hammersdale in 1992. “A place where politics reigned with bloodshed and the burning of houses for the fight of dominance between ANC and IFP in general around” he says in his poetic manner.

He told Free State news that he is the first born in the family with two other siblings. “I worked in my life just after completing my matric and the love of art and poetry continued from there; after it all began in high school.” Hector, who oozes superb confidence, emphasises that it is very important for one to realise his/her potential from an early stage.

His work is yet to be published in book form; but one of the poems he wrote called Bloody Corpuscles appeared in the national paper, Sunday World. “From there on I continued putting finishing touches to my first offering, an anthology called Through the tunnel. The poem Bloody Corpuscles is about the alarming use of the specific words when talking especially to the young ones.”

Hector’s performances straddle places called Caprivi in Tembisa North Johannesburg where he would normally attend weekly poetry sessions and perform with artists from all spheres who would come and showcase their gifts.

The flamboyant young poet from Kwazulu Natal is a full-fledged Zulu who still “speaks a breasted (Mother tongue) language” though he spent the rest of his high school life in Johannesburg from 1996-2001. His poems are written mainly in English, “although I still write in Zulu - Inkomo Zobaba and Maye Kufa which are normally shared in funerals”

He is hoping to get a publisher soon and be able to release his book that is titled “Through the tunnel . His message to young aspiring writers is that they must spend time assiduously doing what they love and explore their talent. The one person that inspires him is the great Kgafela wa Magogodi who shot to fame with “Thy Condom Come” and wrote the play “I write what I like”
- S Botsime
* Reproduced by kind permission of Free State News

THE INTUITIVE VOICE OF A POET

THE BOOKSHELF

With Kgang Abel Motheane

Book: The Intuitive Voice of a Poet
Author: Saint George Vis
Publisher: Eclectic Writers Club

This book contains a collection of poems written by Vis when he was still a very young writer. Indeed Vis has now published many books including the acclaimed Indaba with Free State writers last year. His first book was First things first.

It is remarkable that so many poets have emerged and continue to do so from the townships of the Free State. It must be admitted that there is a bias towards the metropolis like Bloemfontein, Mangaung in general; but we can be sure that many poets are in all the nooks and crannies of the province. Quite a number of them have published books of poems over the years.

Such published (book) poets apart from Mr Vis include Lebohang Thaisi, Leslie Tlhabanelo, Tiisetso Makhele, Qoopane, Tiisetso M Thiba, Richard “Skietreker” Seape, Job Mzamo, yours truly (Ntate Motheane) among others. Other established poets set to publish their books of poetry anytime from now include Charmaine Mrwebi, Neo Mvubu, Jah Rose, “Magic” Khotseng, and Icebound Serame.

Vis is described in his book of poems as “a thinker and philosopher” Despite his youth when he first published the book, “he did not allow his rather privileged background to spoil him or affect his writing career”

I went through all the poems and the following impressed me most: Perseverance, Never Say Pain, O Bolaji (Tribute to a great writer) etc. Vis must be commended for his range and diction.

Indeed this book of poems will further enhance the author’s reputation as he covers a wide range of topics. The sky seems to be the limit for him after publishing so many books whilst still quite young.
* Reproduced by kind permission of Free State News

THE TEARS OF KAPUT HEART

The tears of Kaput Heart

BY TIISETSO MATTHEW THIBA


Days and rains approach him with happiness and smile
And knock on his doors of life
He was the most delighted man in the earth
When he met her for the first time
Life was promised them all the best
They have taken their life gradually and hopefully
They were still enjoying the melody of hurdy-gurdy
Love is hush-hush
How beautiful it was when they emerged on the
Face of the society, hand to hand even some have been
Sceptical about the pair.
But they were perfect on their own.
Lies and cheating they were buried uncounted feet underground
Loyalty and faithfulness is power to defeat the difficulties and the
Bad odds of life
Even they can detour through the valley of death
They were aiming to be the soldier at war enthusiastically for the triumph
But this man was cry the tears of blood
He was ecstatic interior and exterior
With an ant grin on his face when he talked about her
One day came sneaking to impale its spear into his heart
And demoralise his hope, but he is the man of his words
He never surrenders easily
Someone intervened between them
This soul keen his soul mate
In life they say friend could become lovers
Indeed they became lovers and he was the spectator of that saga
When she distinguish she said she wasn’t considering him sternly
Though he was; poor serene man writhe and crawl through predicament
Of mire because of her.
It really hurts him
Plenty of why’s question, force itself hurl into his head
His inception to ask himself
Why she made him hurt when she was supposed to sympathise him
Why she patronised him instead of granting him respect
Why she made him cry instead of wiping tears and silver stripes on his cheeks
Is she the wrong choice at the right time?
Does she adore him even when she hates him?
Is she grinning even when she loathes him?
The man's heart was indeed broken into pieces like a jamjar and vase.
His premonition was one united family
With two to three kids though society and families
Gets increased which fascinating
He kept his pledge like they vowed from the beginning
Deeming of a good family with no one seemingly around
Living happily ever likes birds with no spy’s and loathers
To fade the blooming rose
Considered her as a dolly-bird, beautiful like African Monarch
With flawless GOD beauty.
The man cried like a helpless child in the lion den
His crying was din and whooping like a startling singing a heartfelt note.
Tiger was ultimately cry-out
Even many say tiger don’t cry but he should cry to armour his health
From the opulent heart-attack
He was forever trying to surplus his shore up and his kind-hearted to her
But it was seems like it wasn’t adequate for her.
He exonerates her one to three times and tries to let it go to move on
As we know it’s always easy for the folks to say this forgive and forget.
Even though he never sinned her.
His dreams were turned into nightmares
Because he was thinking with her nothing is impossible and unreachable
He was a grounded man, mollified man
Sometimes love could stem the stalwart
No matter how hard you could strive
Why’s questions kept on haunting him
Asking himself why he should bleed if she loved him?
Why should his soul laid to rest in peace if she still loved him?
Why he should rot in jail while she still on his picture?
No answers fulfilled his questions then.
He wishes he could Premont troubles from afar like hallowed prophets
He was turned to be a bitter fruit
Being a nasty taste in people's mouth
In his utterly life he certainly not loathe any soul
But he started by the male acquaintances of his hidey gorgeous queen
Hate him even his foot-path
He again forgave his drop-dead gorgeous for the fourth time
He again said life must goes on and head for success
Sometimes it’s hard to bury the pain, but it has to be buried in peace

Skietreker reviews THE GHOSTLY ADVERSARY

Skietreker reviews The Ghostly Adversary

By Richard "Skietreker" Seape

One of the most delightful and satisfying things for a young author and poet like myself is to meet one of one’s major literary heroes and role models. I grew up admiring and learning from the likes of Mr. Bolaji. I dreamt that I would meet Bolaji in particular one day; that I would also publish my own book(s). Both dreams have come true!

Reading any book of fiction penned by O Bolaji is a great pleasure. This is a man who richly deserves his many awards. But his fictional works also pose a challenge. How many of his over- dozen shattering works of fiction can we read and appreciate fully? At least recently I got to read his thriller, The ghostly adversary which is a magnificent work.

The Ghostly adversary is unequivocally an articulate, robust yet intriguing, well written novel which moves one's imagination to greater heights by keeping the reader in awe and suspense.

"In the blink of an eye" this magnificent read unfolds mysteries of a violated woman who in return finds justice and revenge in the most unusual way. The format in which it is written is profound and it gives the reader an electrifying feeling from page to page as you crave with curiosity, lost in the writer’s expertise.

The author takes you on a journey and gently depicts how a courageous woman was brutalised by men whom she knew and thereafter she swore on the heart of a stone that she would one day eventually make them pay and indeed in the end she finds justice in her own way.

Utilising the plots and tricks she had learned from her unforgettable traumatizing experience, this work echoes the fact that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned! Easily one of the most exciting books ever written by any African author.

A real thriller !
- Skietreker