Phinithi to the fore!

The history of what many call “Black Literature” in Africa can be very fascinating; from the period our writers began to make their mark and become respected to a worldwide audience (around late 50’s to the 60s) This was the time the likes of Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Es’kia Mphahlele etc were rather young men. What is interesting is how, even in those early days these great writers were able to help each other, unearth new talent. By the mid sixties for example Chinua Achebe was already world famous, and the editor of Heineman’s African writers series. He met Ngugi wa Thiong’o who respectfully handed him one of his manuscripts to read. Achebe read it and recommended that it should be published soonest. Thus was the career of the great Ngugi launched. Yes, we know at that time, African writers were few and far between, but they still emerged on a regular basis; decades later even in the Free State here, promising writers continue to emerge, encouraged by the established ones. Hence nowadays we see talented writers or critics like Pule Lechesa, Raphael Mokoena, Hector Kunene etc confessing that their literary careers received a major boost after meeting a giant like Omoseye Bolaji. That is the way it should be. The Bookshelf was thus delighted over the last few weeks to get confirmation that a “new” literary genius has emerged in the Free State, namely Phinithi Ntelekoa. Of course the young man has been writing for many years, but it is only now that his great talent, and some of his work, is coming to the attention of those who really matter. And he is being encouraged! It is always unwise to over-praise a new talent, but it seems to be agreed that Phinithi is set for greatness judging from samples of his work, an interview now on the internet (part of it reproduced in this paper recently)…in fact the lover of literature is advised to read the full text of the interview with Mr Ntelekoa on the internet and judge for themselves. There are also other samples of his work we have read, and one cannot but be excited over such a talent. Personally I think Phinithi’s writing and diction is too elevated at the moment, and would appeal only to a few highly knowledgeable men (and women) of letters. If he is going to have mainstream success as a writer, I think he should work on writing in a more simple manner, like poet Denis Brutus did long ago. But then again, should Phinithi sacrifice his natural ‘difficult’ style for more acceptability? Such are the posers that make literature interesting! (From The Bookshelf Column; Free State News. Nov 30, 2012). By KA Motheane)

Mbali Press edition of Ishmael Soqaga's book

Mbali Press edition of Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga's study on Bolaji. Design and lay-out by Phinithi Ntelekoa

MBALI AWARD WINNERS (2012)

George Rampai – Winner, Author of the Year Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga – Winner, Promising newcomer of the year (Above, with his Certificate) Kgang Abel Motheane – Winner, Commentator on Literature Award Lifetime Achievement Award - O Bolaji

MBALI LITERARY AWARDS

The Mbali Literary Awards take place tonight (Nov 16th 2012) at Clocolan. Organisers announced this week that in addition to three other categories, a Special Lifetime Achievement award will also be dished out. SHORT-LISTED FOR AWARDS… Book of the year category: Free State of mind (by Jah Rose Jafta, Rita Chihawa) From where I stand (by George Rampai) Landscape from within (by Seipati Thomas)... Writers/Commentators on Literature category: Paul Lothane Kgang Abel Motheane (The Bookshelf column) Tiisetso Thiba... Promising newcomer of the year category: Sam Mothupi Mayibongwe Mpanda Ishmael Soqaga