City of Roses and Literary icons

CITY OF ROSES AND LITERARY ICONS

Author: Flaxman Qoopane

Flaxman Qoopane, a journalist, poet and author, has published his latest book titled City of Roses and Literary icons.

He said: “In this new book, I debunk the general belief in many quarters that the Free State, Bloemfontein, in particular, is something of an outpost as regards major, pivotal trends in literature.

“I demonstrably show in the book that Bloemfontein, over the years has hosted a conglomeration of distinguished wordsmiths, and even taken the lead in orchestrating cardinal literary meets,”

According to the author, in the book, we get to learn the details of such literary occasions that got off the ground in the “City of Roses” (Bloemfontein); the galaxy of such literary icons who have graced its shores – including Kgotso Maphalla, Don Mattera, Lauretta Ngcobo, Jim Mokoena, Prof Lewis Nkosi, Prof Keorapetse Kgositsile, Don Matterra, among many others.

“The new book also proudly details the goings-on at the 2006 South African literary Awards which were held in Bloemfontein,” Qoopane said. “At this occasion very important literary awards were given to many of the all-time greats of South African literature. It was also at the gala that Prof Kgositsile was named the current National Poet Laureate.”

This is a book to be read by all lovers of literature and the arts and culture in general. The Free State Provincial libraries immediately ordered some one hundred copies of the book.

“Qoopane indeed shows his effulgent love for writing and writers in general. He puts together many unforgettable occasions of literary orientation hosted in Bloemfontein; this book gives the lie to the belief of so many that the Free State is something of a literary backwater,” Omoseye Bolaji, distinguished author, said.
Review courtesy of Phoneix Literary club, Ladybrand

The "underworld" in Omoseye Bolaji's Tebogo and the Haka

The “underworld” in Omoseye Bolaji’s Tebogo and the Haka


By Raselebeli Khotseng

To many people, the world of pubs, women of easy virtue, alcohol is that of the “underworld”. A common comment about many of Omoseye Bolaji’s works of fiction is that a lot of the action is often centred in taverns or shebeens! This is particularly true as regards the Tebogo Mystery series. There is plenty of action in shebeens in Tebogo Fails and Ask Tebogo as usual.

Hence it is no surprise that in his latest work, Tebogo and the Haka (2008) a lot of the action takes place at the Club or shebeen, strangely called The Haka itself. We see Tebogo Mokoena the investigator visiting the place every time during his stay in Ladybrand, and he certainly enjoys himself, relaxing, quaffing, drinking, meeting all sorts of people.

Really many might wonder: how important are shebeens- for black people? The answer is obvious enough: apart from so many taverns and shebeens in towns and cities targeting the black people, it is fascinating that in the townships, virtually every street has at least one or two shebeens frequented by so many.

So what are the attractions of shebeens? Obviously the first is the alcohol itself, biri . In the shebeens the alcohol always flows and the sellers often make sure it is ice cold– you can buy at almost anytime of the day, especially during the weekends. Many people go into debt heavily not minding, so long as they can pay their debts at the end of the month or when convenient. I have seen cases of some people owing as much as a thousand rand monthly to settle debts for alcohol.

At shebeens there is always this ambience of excitement and fizz, people throng the places, talk, exchange quips and even share bottles together. During big matches,– especially soccer,– many people gather to support their local team or the national team,– at the 2007 Rugby World Cup many people enjoyed the games at the shebeens.

Then there is the music – at such places assorted music is played often till late in the night during weekends. The atmosphere is informal and people can also bring their own beloved brands of music. It is an excuse for music unlimited, with loudspeakers blaring forth very loud music with the patrons enjoying; all the while the drinks are flowing.

Needless to say at the shebeens and taverns there are many women who come and add spice to the whole atmosphere. Whilst it is not true that most of the ladies who frequent shebeens are cheap or waiting to be picked up, a fair number of them are. At worst they believe they can get men to buy drinks for them at such places, and if anything happens afterwards? Ladies, after some drinks, become liberated and become the heart and soul of such assemblages.

Omoseye Bolaji, time and again uses riveting scenes from the shebeens to make his fiction more exciting. In Tebogo and the Haka, with Tebogo’s wife Khanyi thousands of kilometres away overseas, the protagonist can enjoy the company of ladies at the shebeen or Club, the likes of Brenda, Maki and Charlotte. Of course he still succeeds in solving the mysteries as usual talk of mixing business with pleasure!

Africa's female black writers

(Above) Sindiwe Magona



By Marika du Plessis

At a literary workshop in South Africa recently, young black ladies who love reading imaginative books hardly knew anything about outstanding black female authors over the years in the African continent. But we had some experts who helped us out; and at the end of the day everybody’s knowledge was enhanced.

In South Africa the leading lights among the female writers include Miriam Tlali, Sindiwe Magona, Lauretta Ngcobo and Ellen Kuzwayo. The late Kuzwayo’s literary reputation rests mainly on the publication of her major work, Call me woman. Tlali was the first black woman to publish a major novel, Mirriam at Metropolitan. It was moving learning about Sindiwe Magona who had three kids by the age of 23, seemingly destined for a very hard life, but she went on to educate herself, work overseas and publish a number of excellent books, including To my children’s children and Mother to mother.

But not only South African women have been making waves in writing. Indeed black female writers from West Africa in particular started the trend. Ghana produced the late Efua Sutherland who was a fine dramatist; and also Ama Atta Aidoo, novelist, short story writer and dramatist. Nigeria produced Flora Nwapa and the outstanding Buchi Emecheta of whom I enjoyed reading her book, Head above water, so much

Also from western Africa was the great Senegalese female writer Mariama Ba who published So long a letter. The book was originally written in French but has now been translated into other major languages world-wide. The book focuses on the travails of women in a particular society and an attempt to handle such problems with some dignity.

From eastern Africa (mainly Kenya) African women like Grace Ogot, Barbara Kimenye, Rebeka Njau have been writing quality books for decades. Njau’s Ripples in the pond would appeal to most ladies, a very fine piece of work (as Mr. Lebohang Thaisi the writer would say)

Apart from South Africa, neighbouring Zimbabwe has also churned out outstanding black female writers. Most people would immediately think about Tsitsi Dangarembga whose novel, Nervous conditions still remains a classic some twenty years after publication. But also, Yvonne Vera with her powerful novels was world class too (pity she left this world prematurely)

Nelson Mandela at 90!

Mandela at 90!

By Raselebeli “Magic” Khotseng

For many decades he felt the weight of prison cell
Surrounded by sharks
Demarcated by Ocean and Cape Colony
Today the nation and world
Sing his fulsome songs of praise
Happy Birthday Madiba
A happy birthday?
Or 90 years of resistance?

It was nearly three decades of breaking stones on the island
Demanding freedom like a child demand’s his mother’s breast
But now it’s a moment of singing a different tune
As the world brings a cornucopia of gifts
Your sterling courage led to victory

Being a freedom fighter for human rights
Being hunted and banished for years
He returned, wearing a new mask of peace and reconciliation
Uttering a world reconciliation to forgive his persecutors
Global enchantment hovers on your birthday
But this is not an ordinary birthday Tata
But 90 years of resistance
That saw the birth of a rainbow nation

Milestones for Achebe, Ngugi, and Ayi kwei Armah

Milestones for Achebe, Ngugi, and Ayi Kwei Armah

By Pule Lechesa

African black literature has been celebrated for decades now. Our best writers can easily hold their own in the international arena. Authors like Wole Soyinka, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, Chinua Achebe, Ben Okri, Ayi kwei Armah, Dambudzo Marechera, Bessie Head are all highly regarded world-wide. Hence milestones as regards their literary work or lives continue to be celebrated.

This year (2008) we have had quite a number of milestones, with a trio of them (the writers) probably outstanding. For many, even after so many decades since publication, Chinua Achebe’s Things fall apart remains the all-time best of African creative writing. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of the ground-breaking work.

As for Ngugi wa Thiong’o, the world celebrated as he marked 70 years of age early this year. The man is famous for his brilliant fiction and his polemical, illuminating essays. We mention Ngugi and our mind goes to works like Weep not child, A grain of wheat, Petals of blood, Matigari, Wizard of the crow etc.

Another African great, Ayi kwei Armah celebrates the 40th anniversary of the publication of his unforgettable work of fiction, The beautyful ones are not yet born. Remember that when the book first came out it was acclaimed as being among “in the first rank of novels published anywhere.” Observers further point out that what looked like Armah’s pessimism as regards Africa forty years ago, has come true anyway!

Next year, (2009) promises to be another year where African literary milestones would be celebrated. To give just one example – in 2009, Es’kia (Ezekiel) Mphahlele would turn 90. This is one of the all-time greats of African literature. Also in 2009 the world will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of Down Second Avenue, Mphahlele’s timeless classic.
(Pule Lechesa, poet and essayist, is the author of books like Four Free State Authors, The Evolution of FS Black Literature, and Omoseye Bolaji…on awards, authors, literature)

Black African Literature (Poems by two young African lady poets)

THE SUNSHINE
By Julia Lithebe

The sun rises and shines
Incorporating the happiness of the day
Happiness reflecting in everything
It’s shining in my eyes
It’s shining refulgent every single day

The sun rises gloriously like it’s the first time
Reminiscent of a new baby
Look outside; hark, it’s shining!
Happiness radiates throughout the world
Basking in the glow of the sun

The sun shines all over
Incandescent the world over
Even a candle brings light
Meagre compared with magnificence of the sun
Radiating all over the nation

People are looking for the brightness
The radiance of the comely sun
Appreciate the beauty of the flowers
Indeed without the Sun’s glow
There is no life and future

The heat of the sun brings warmth
We living things bask in the light
Cavorting and gay under the light
Things are made Technicolor by the sun
Herein is the beauty of the sunshine!




MIGHTY EYES

By Neo Mvubu

Mighty eyes that see the troubles we live in
Mighty eyes that puff away their lives with miniature noses
Mighty eyes that drink away their futures
One two three glasses
And BAM
They destroy their potential

Mighty eyes with dreamless lives
Only knives cutting away prison walls
With hopes of freedom

Mighty eyes with grandmothers
In bedrooms
And babies in bushes

Mighty eyes steal lives
They kill
And worst of all
We ignore
And we find comfort in brutality

Black African Literature (Chieftaincy for Writer)

Omoseye Bolaji, a well known black writer based in South Africa will be conferred with a prestigious traditional Chieftaincy title by the Olubadan (King) of Ibadan city in Nigeria (West Africa) next month.

Omoseye has over the years managed to build up a very impressive literary body of work, and is being honoured mainly for his contributions to black African writing. Ibadan for decades was the most populous black city south of the Sahara, boasting the first Television Station in Africa, the Cocoa House skyscraper, the Liberty stadium etc.

Omoseye Bolaji has contributed in awesome fashion to African black writing, publishing well over 20 books, with his literary works discussed, evaluated in many articles, books and on the Internet. Some of his works include The Termagant, Impossible Love, The ghostly adversary, The guillotine, People of the Townships, Poems from Mauritius, and the Subtle transgressor

South African writer, Flaxman Qoopane, a close friend of Omoseye was elated to hear about the chieftaincy. "It's rare indeed for a writer to be given a traditional chieftaincy title just on the strength of his writings. I am so happy for Omoseye. He could have had an easy, comfortable life but he largely sacrificed everything all for his love of literacy and literature"

Omoseye Bolaji, who lives in the Free State, has garnered a string of awards over the years, thanks to his writing prowess. Last year alone (2007) he was given a Lifetime Achievement award by the Free State government; and the University of the Free State conferred the Chancellor's Medal on him. His father the late Chief SL Bolaji was a proud Ibadanman who was also an acclaimed writer. Omoseye will be conferred with the “Onigegewura” (Golden Pen) of Ibadan on August 18, 2008






Raselebeli Khotseng (PRO, Phoenix Literary Club, South Africa)