INTERVIEWS WITH EFFERVESCENT WRITERS (Book Review)

The Bookshelf (Column)
With Kgang Abel Motheane

Book: Interviews with effervescent writers
Edited by Christine Mautjana

The Free State has done it again. The literary fraternity has been mightily impressed this week as the Province has a strong presence in a new national, international publication.

The new work is titled Interviews with effervescent writers. The editor is Christine Mautjana, the Mpumalanga based female literary activist and essayist. The book features interviews with writers, black and white, South Africans, and non-South Africans.

Remarkably, quite a number of FS based writers are featured in this new work, including Nmm Duman, Pule Lechesa, Jah Rose, and Hector Kunene.

This is a book that contributes greatly to South African and international literature. The interviews clearly reveal a general powerful love for the written word, with illuminating contributions from the likes of Aryan Kaganof, and award winning Teboho Letshaba.

Literary experts are already comparing this new work to two earlier African classics - African writers talking, and Talking with African writers. Yet this new book is much more up to date, and has literary allusions from all over the world. This columnist congratulates the FS writers who feature in this new, world-class work!

* Reproduced by kind permission of Free State News; March 30 2012 edition

INTERVIEWS WITH EFFERVESCENT WRITERS

Edited by Christine Mautjana

MY PEN IS A 'SOCIALITE' (2012) By Sheila Khala

By Dineo Mokgosi

Born in the beautiful mountainous kingdom of Lesotho, 22-year-old Sheila Khala is an adept poet and motivational speaker. She is a buoyant young woman already fulfilling her awesome potential. She has now launched her second book titled: My pen is a ‘socialite’

Khala launched her second book at a glittering function held at the swanky Cappelo in Bloemfontein. In attendance were local poets such as the likes of Hector Kunene, Dr Cool among others. The revelers were serenaded by the sweet melodies of Audrey Mifi, a 23-year-old songstress from Bloemfontein.

Her first book, Formula: “Leading Life to Perfection” was published at the tender age of 19, written as a sort of therapy for her after the death of her father. Her second book means so much more to her as she dedicates it to her late father.

Her proficient abilities have made her one of the youngest poets to perform at the Southern African Development Countries (SADC) Poetry Festival that takes places annually across the SADC region.

She has performed with the likes of Napo Masheane, Kgafela wa Legogodi, Lesego Rampolokeng and Tania Tome from Mozambique. She is a dynamic and prolific poet in every sense of the word.

As regards her second book, Sheila says: “Daddy I dedicate this to you, I promise to make you proud. Your death has made me a very strong woman. I miss you but God took you for a reason,” This sentiment is also discernible in her new book.

“This second book, I call it a ‘seed of faith, a vocation of manifestation’ because I went through a lot of trials and tribulations to have this book published. I went through some personal things and at some point I thought this would never happen. I had to leave certain people and let go of certain things to fulfill my dream. My dream had to happen”

Her favourite poems in the new anthology include: “Hope, destiny and love”, which she explains as the different stages that a person goes through in life; and “My Muti” which she explains as the authority, the voice of a woman, standing firm in your decisions as a woman.

She rates Napo Masheane as her favourite female poet. “She voices what she feels. She loves herself. She has self-confidence. She stands in her own character. I believe in women who stand for what they like”

Khala said her book is “motivation building, creating, a renewal of a new you... A new you that is encouraged to dream big, to generate all those dreams that were once lost.”

TEBOHO MASAKALA's "The Fall of Marcus Desmond"

Fecund...Teboho Masakala (above)

By Nthabiseng Lisele

Teboho Masakala has released his latest book, now ready and available on the book shelves! This prolific young man, who has now published three books, was born in Thaba Nchu.

The new book is titled “The fall of Marcus Desmond” and consists of 12 chapters. Teboho Masakala told Free State News: “The book teaches the society about the choices our parents make for us. As children we have our own dreams and need our parents to support them. But it seems many times they (parents) want to take our dreams and make them theirs.”

Hence his latest work is a kind of creative message to the parents to have an open relationship with their children and listen carefully to desires, ambitions and dreams from the perspective of the young ones.

‘The parents shouldn’t use their failed dreams as the future dreams for their children, because most of such situations end with a sad story”, the author, known for his penchant for tragic denouements in his work, warns.

“Parents shouldn’t take this book as an offence to them. I acknowledge their support and passion to help their children get the best they want in life, but at the same time they shouldn’t suppress their feelings regarding their dreams”, Masakala said.

Over the last few years Teboho has churned out works like Mind, Pen, Paper and Ideas (short stories) and Through it all (a novella).

Going down memory lane, Teboho recalls joining the Goronyane High School in Thaba Nchu, Free State, in South Africa in 2003. He read a number of books which fired his imagination. “I enjoyed the world of books; books for young people, and our African writers. I was also influenced by the writings of Bessie Head (Maru) and of Chinua Achebe; namely books like No longer at ease and The Voter. I also enjoyed reading some of the creative works of O Bolaji, who later published my first few short stories,”

He attended Selosesha Primary School in Thaba Nchu. “I was introduced to reading English books by my teacher and Principal, Kelopile Moletsane, who really did a lot in setting my feet on the literary path. Over the years I have enjoyed basking in books at the Selosesha Library in Thaba Nchu,”

On his latest book, The fall of Marcus Desmond, Teboho adds: “The children should also be respectful for the way their parents guide them regarding their career path and dreams. And they should be open to these people, no matter how old they can, they can teach you one or two things about life.”

The book is already available. If you are interested in the book you can contact Teboho Masakala on 078 124 5396.

SAINT GEORGE VIS ON FS WRITING!

Interview by Nthabiseng Lisele

Saint George Vis is one of the significant black writers based in the Free State. His books include First things First, The massive vicarious pleasure, among others. Vis is very passionate about the world of literature and writing.

How do you describe the growth of FS Black Literature over the years?

Well, describing the growth of FS Black Literature one cannot rely solely on the quantity but the quality of books published over the years and indeed, we have seen expansion, such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication from the FS Black authors which is exceptional. Briefly, just to scratch the ground let’s take for example, first, Nthabiseng JahRose Jafta with her sizzling poetry book in 2010, then Hector Kunene whom I fervently believe that he mastered the art of patience because when I read his poems he didn’t let his enthusiasm for his book and his excitement over actually finishing it drive the train – patience, self-control and discipline were his friends and finally Mpikeleni Duma one of the best writing I have seen in a long time especially from women’s perspective.

The growth of FS Black Literature had an impact on me personally over the years in a sense that my viewpoint has increased by being exposed to different cultures and lifestyles. I have learned to be sensitive to the problems of others which increase my self-awareness and worldview. I have also learned to appreciate other cultures and
ideologies that are illustrated in these captivating books penned by our own FS Black Authors. It’s like you gain a deeper understanding of the human condition and learn from the experience of others without having to actually live through the experiences yourself. But, I must be honest though, I would really like to see authors particularly in the FS writing in their indigenous languages and bring to the fore the richness and variety of traditions and culture, language and heritage especially authors writing in Setswana. The great author such as Bishop Gilbert Ngwaneso Moshoeshoe Modise had in fact strengthened pride in Identity and Culture by writing some of the luminous novels in Setswana.

Which books have impressed you most?

What a fascinating question. There are a handful of books I have read multiple times and plan to keep on reading because each time I see something more or different (Gilbert Modise is a perfect example). However, there are couple of FS writers who inspire my life and inform my work on various levels through their work. In many cases these writers tackle topics or write in genres far removed from my own. Quite a number have “mad skills” I could never hope to equal. Going back to the roots of historical fiction in the Free State, I deeply admire the work of the genre’s two prominent writers the late Bishop Gilbert Ngwaneso Moshoeshoe Modise and Chief Omoseye “Malome” Bolaji. Both clearly understood that story comes first in all fiction, including historical. They also wrote adventure stories and I love an adventure.

Do you think more ladies are coming to the party (writing)? Why
might they be reluctant to write?

Good question. Yep! I think over the years we have seen ladies such Nthabiseng JahRose Jafta, and recently NMM Duman who are putting their mark in the world of literature. But, I also had this question in my mind few years back and really it bothered me that our sisters don’t write and then I decided to ask one of the great scribes the Free State has ever seen, Mosidi Mohlakela and this is was she said “I think we lie to ourselves about why we can't write the book. We think our stalling is about lack of time, or too much pressure at work, or not enough solitude in the evening. But, guess what Chances are a deeper, darker reason may be at play, like I'm not supposed to be bigger than Mom' or what if this thing really takes off? We fear the impact our book could have”. I think one of the reasons why women might be reluctant to write could be the fear of the unknown.

Have you heard of the writer NMM Duman? Is she as great as they say she is?

Yes, I have. When I read her awe-inspiring article in Sowetan I thought to myself her book is all realistic, and perfectly plausible. One thing I learned and analysed about her (as a writer) is that when she writes, she put’s herself into the position of the characters and that is one of the rare and most powerful skill among our many writers.

What will your next book be about?

I am presently working on the second edition of my book titled: Victory through Christ and also I am working with other authors who are due to publish their works later this year.