LITERARY WORKSHOP SPARKS KUDOS

A distinguished writer and publisher of note, Pule Lechesa facilitated over an imaginative writing workshop held in Bloemfontein, Motheo College last weekend (Saturday, August 24). This well orchestrated one-day-workshop was held in collaboration with a National Arts Council sponsored company, Arts Amuse – company that promotes grassroots literature. Rita Chihawa (pix), supremo of Arts Amuse who is a well known poet herself was also in her element.

A group of well over thirty young budding writers, singers and actors from Thaba-Nchu and around Bloemfontein were agog with excitement as Mr Lechesa strutted his mentoring stuff. This literary protagonist and mentor who has published some eight books explained the importance of having the workshops. “We have realized that creative writing talent in the Free State Province is aplenty; however people do not know where to go with their manuscripts. Our aim is to help to rekindle their creative talents and to help those who has already finished their books get published,” said Lechesa. He also explained that he is touring around the province unearthing raw talent in the small towns that ‘are always pushed in the peripheral’ when it comes to talent development. “There are towns that we all know that talent scouts reckon are remote and hardly visit and those are towns that we will visit. I have in mind towns such as Clocolan, Thaba Phatsoa, Gariep, Excelsior and so forth.” Lechesa (pix) concluded by saying he is in talks with Sesotho Literary Museum curator, Ntate Tseliso Masolane on how can they roll out the projects promoting writing in indigenous languages.

One of the attendants, Rosalia Nkete gave her overall impression of the workshop, as she beamed with excitement. “Some workshops are always talk-shops hence I was debating with my twin sister (Rosa) whether to come or not. We do not regret coming to this one as it very was very informative. I enjoyed the part when he (Lechesa) was dealing with how a writer can unlock his/her creative juices at all times,” she explained, Rosalia added that henceforth she was going to put into practice advice from the facilitator that writers must keep a journal at all times as it helps jotting ideas down immediately as they come. “In the past I would have a brilliant idea while at school only to find that when I get home the idea is gone. I was beginning to doubt my creativity but he allayed my fears by saying I am experiencing what he called ‘Writer’s block’ which is common in most writers,’’ noted Rosalia. The workshop became lively when the participants were given a platform to showcase their own talent by reciting their poems and singing.