BOLAJI'S 30th BOOK!

By Khahliso Khama


Omoseye Bolaji, the Free State based author of international repute,
has published his latest book, titled Miscellaneous Writings.

Miscellaneous Writings (2011) is his latest book, the 30th of the
author. Already the book is making a hit nationally and beyond. Bolaji
told Mangaung Issue: “Actually I did not know it was my 30th book,
until the literary pundits pointed this out. It does not really matter
anyway. I have always maintained that quality is more important than
quantity. There’s no point churning out loads of drivel,”

Bolaji, who started writing creatively as a youngster, explained
further: “The classical example is of course Emily Bronte who
published only one novel, one book – Wuthering Heights which is an all
time classic. I suppose Africa’s Tsitsi Dangarembga has made her mark
too with her Nervous Conditions. It is more important for one’s books
to be recognized and respected among experts, and generally,”

Bolaji certainly has no problem in this wise. Most of his books,
particular the fiction, are celebrated worldwide, with countless
essays, critiques in different languages dissecting his literary work.
His literary creation, detective Tebogo Mokoena is globally famous.
Additionally, many books have been published appreciating Omoseye
Bolaji the writer himself.

His latest book, Miscellaneous Writings, as the name implies, contains
a selection of many of his diverse writings for international
magazines and journals. The topics dealt with in the new work range
from African and international literature, to sports and music.

Pule Lechesa, the well known literary critic, who wrote the
introduction to Bolaji’s latest book, told Mangaung Issue: “Omoseye
remains a key figure in the quintessential world of letters, and
inspirational creativity. He not only continues to galvanize
literature in general, but maintains his impressive fecundity,”
* Reproduced by kind permission of Mangaung Issue. First published on July 13 2011

MATHENE MAHANKE'S MAJOR WORK

"SESOTHO NOVEL DEDICATED TO TEACHERS"

By Flaxman Qoopane


Mathene Mahanke, former lecturer at the university has published his first Sesotho novel, Tutudu Ha E Patwe (You can’t bring a good man down) that pays tribute to the real teacher.

Mahanke explained: “NKAHEMA Publishing & Consulting cc in Bloemfontein: recently published my novel in Sesotho. I am excited about giving birth to my first novel, I am motivated to work hard and publish another book in future. The novel is about a teacher who does everything right, to transform a dysfunctional school. He is trying to bring change at the school, there is a resistance mainly from other teachers, and they influence the community against him.

“He is even trapped by the use of a young woman (girl) as to make him guilty of statutory rape. He sees through the trap and beat them. He ultimately succeeds to have everybody behind him”.

According to Mathene, he published a novel that portrays a teacher in a dignified light, in the hope of restoring dignity to the profession.

In 1994, Mathene published a book of short stories in Sesotho titled MOTSOTUWA (something exceptionally beautiful), that won the Thomas Mofolo Literary Prize.

Asked why Mahanke writes in Sesotho, he said: “My mother tongue is my comfort zone, because I don’t struggle to find expressions, as result what I want to write does not become a struggle, it comes naturally."

According to the novelist: “Language and culture are inseparable, you have a ready-made pool from which draw. Our life experiences they relate with our languages, so it is very easy to explain or define a situation in your own language than using another language. On daily basis, you update and accumulate your vocabulary that is dictated in which language you are expressing yourself”.

Mahanke was a lecturer in Sesotho language and literature at the University of the North, (now Limpopo), Qwa-Qwa Campus in 1982-1997. He was a proofreader for various publishing houses between 1982-1999. In 2005, he was appointed member of collaboration team (Sesotho) for Science Terminology by the Department of Arts and Culture (DAC) (national). In 2006, he served as the curator of Sesotho Literary Museum. In 2008 Mahanke was appointed Deputy Director & Head of the Language Service in the Free State province. He is a member and advisor’s of Moaba Sesotho Writer’s Association in the country