The literary community in the Free State, South Africa, and beyond is reeling after the demise of Kgang Abel Motheane, poet, essayist, story-teller, folklorist and columnist.
Motheane, who published well over 50 books, was one of Africa's most prolific authors. His debut work was African Night Fire Stories, and thereafter he went on to bring out numerous other books which remain a tribute to his fecund imagination and zest.
Motheane (below, on the right) wrote in many languages, including Setswana, Sesotho, Afrikaans, Isizulu, Isixhosa, and English. His topics embraced fiction, poetry, education, African mores and trends, and even Romance.
His passion for the written word was legendary (which also prodded him to become a Publisher). Even in his 70s and 80s, he loved frequenting literary gatherings and readings, and he was also a Columnist for many years, reviewing books and journals.
He loved emphasizing the need for Africans to read, to learn from and revere other wordsmiths. As he would say, "I fell in love with books from an early age. I go to the Libraries everytime. What a thrill for me when I began to see my own books on library shelfs! Never mind that I was over 60 when I published my first book..."
- O Bolaji
Kgang Abel Motheane
Tribute poem by Tiisetso M. Thiba
The sad dark cloud has covered us again!
While enjoying reading
your wisdom
Hearing you talking
agony and joy
You have been through
all these moons
Your pen decided to run
dry
But of course we will
follow
Your ink through papers
With your trademark
prolific name on them
And draw comfort right
there
Master lingo
Look, many thought they
knew you better
But you were difficult
to be encoded
Whilst one was thinking
You will come from the
mountains of Kingdom of Lesotho
You made us liars
And emerged from
Batswana land
How wise you were
In juggling sundry
lingo's in your papers!
Alright, now ...
Through your legacy we
will find answers
And light to pass
through this darkness
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
African
night fire stories by Kgang Abel Motheane
Now a days
poetry by Kgang Abel Motheane
Never say
goodbye by Kgang Abel Motheane
My first
book published among others by Kgang Abel Motheane
Dikgang
murder investigations by Kgang Abel Motheane
Hlompho ya
bana batswading ke lefa by Kgang Abel Motheane
Lenyora la
lerato le bophelo bo botle by Kgang Abel Motheane
Senkganang
se nthola morwalo by Kgang Abel Motheane
Batho ba sa
hlompheng bo bona ba iphoqa by Kgang Abel Motheane
Meqoqo le
maele setjhabeng by Kgang Abel Motheane
