It is pleasing to see the name, and legacy of the one and only Flaxman Qoopane (below) kept alive and embraced in this new work. But then again, so are the likes of Gilbert Modise and Pule Lebuso who also stamped their mark on Free State Literature (the trio now deceased).
It is also remarkable to see a major essay on, a review of Kgang Abel Motheane 's poetry. The piece is written by Ishmael M. Soqaga who is also the editor of this book. The many essays contained here are vibrant and revealing, even the shortest ones.
I also liked
the short introduction to Phinithi Ntelekoa who we understand is incredibly
talented, yet little if any studies have appeared on his striking creative
work. One hopes to see studies on him, and even more on other outstanding FS
creative writers like Matshidiso Taleng, and George Rampai.
It is also
very important to see a review - in English - of Tiisetso Thiba's Setswana novel, TLHABANE YA MAKGOWA in this new book (cover, above). Too often writing in African
languages is undermined or even almost completely ignored; but reviews in a
language like English draws more attention to the work across board. In this
wise, we can mention the extraordinary work David P Ambrose eg has done in
promoting Lesotho indigenous literature in particular.
Going
through this book, the conclusion one reaches is crystal-clear: Free State
Black Writing is quite important, and already established. And as the author
points out, it keeps on growing and "ever-throbbing".
- Review by Raphael Mokoena
- Review by Raphael Mokoena
Fine, concise review. I am reminded of Lechesa's great article on David Ambrose
ReplyDeleteI read this book quite a long time ago. Mr Qoopane published many books on his life; so the records and details are there.
ReplyDeleteOutstanding review by Ntate Mokoena, and Ntate Soqaga is so passionate about growing the literature in Free State Province and Africa at large and kudos to him. All the writers featured in the book are also doing marvelous work in literature.
ReplyDeleteThis book is a must read,couldn't put it down and my heart still swells with gratitude every day when i read it and all writers who've been mentioned there are remarkable at their work. May Ntate Flaxman's soul continue to rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteOne thing one admires about Mme Taleng is that she truly loves literature, and continues to develop herself even more.
DeleteIt has come to my attention that some observers out there are not happy, or are surprised that I did not mention names of the likes of Chief Bolaji, Pule Lechesa and a few others in this my short review. I did not mention these icons because in the main they are already celebrated figures; what I did in my review was just to point out some aspects that struck me whilst going through this work.
ReplyDeleteKgang Abel Motheane, research shows is one of the very few African authors who have published, or can claim to have published 50,60 books or more. This does look like a staggering figure to any average reader or scholar, which highlights the extent of such an achievement. However studies on Mr Motheane appear to be few, considering the great number of books he has published. Mr Soqaga has done well to at least highlight the man’s poetry in this book.
ReplyDeleteExcellent work no doubt. South Africa so good in the arts
ReplyDeleteAnyone who has gone through this work will realize that there are many pages on Bolaji, Lechesa and others. In fact Lechesa is extraordinarily praised in the Introduction. Really, the author’s research is so thorough that he even goes back to include the contributions of Ina Herbst, Johan Botha, Petro Schonfeld, Jacomien Schimper, Alrina Le Roux, Adri Smuts, Lebohang Thaisi, Job Mzamo, and others. The Introduction to the book is a gem in itself, a must-read, never mind the many individual essays, articles, reviews, critiques, interviews etc.
ReplyDelete