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”