Kgang Motheane reviews The Collector of Treasures

South Africa’s Bessie Head - though she made her name in Botswana, is one of Africa's best known and respected female writers. The collector of treasures was her fourth book, published in 1977. 

This book draws on the oral tradition of Southern Africa, using the language and imagery of the story-telling tradition. The collection focuses on village people from Botswana and the status and position of women in Africa.

The fine stories in this collection are - The deep river, Heaven is not closed, The village saint, Jacob, Life, Witchcraft, Looking for a rain god, Kgotla, The wind and a boy, Snapshots of a wedding, The special one, Hunting, and The collector of treasures

 In a famous review of this work overseas, The Tribune wrote inter alia: “Bessie Head s short stories have an extraordinary simplicity and breadth of vision, a tolerant acceptance of things as they are, which if applied by a European writer inside the structure of a European novel, would cause her to be hailed as a new humanist saint, a Tolstoy, a Gorki. 

“ In this work, there is plenty of empathy and sympathy for the people on the ground, especially the women. There is shocking violence and tragedy too - eg in Life, and in The collector of treasures. This remains a collection of brilliant stories. 

OMOSEYE BOLAJI ON MOTHEANE

Ishmael Soqaga, currently working on a comprehensive study book on Mr Kgang Motheane, spoke to distinguished writer, Mr Omoseye Bolaji, who was very close to Mr Motheane whilst he (Bolaji) was based in South Africa.

Soqaga: You played a very important role when Motheane's first book was published in 2005. He has admitted as such, always expressing his glee that you set him on the path of book publication,and even writing this on the blurb of so many of his books. You remember Mr Motheane's first book (African Night Fire Stories) don't you?

Bolaji: (smiling) It was wonderful to see how happy Ntate Motheane was when his first book was first published! In fact we celebrated the event for a long time in nigh-epicurean fashion! An author is often suffused with great delight, exhilaration and happiness when one's first book comes out - especially in this case when the author (Motheane) had waited for decades for this dream to come true! Remember that he was over 60 when his first work was formally published, and launched. For me what I did for Motheane then was quite simple - I ensured his manuscript was typed, and convinced the publisher to bring out the work. Motheane's passion for books was so palpable that a bit later on I said to him: "Maybe you'd like to become a small publisher yourself; I can show you the ropes..."Thereafter Motheane took it from there and began to bring out his books with incredible speed and elan!

Question (Soqaga):  How did you meet Mr Motheane for the first time?

BOLAJI: How did I first meet Sir Motheane? That was in late2003 when I was editing Free State News (newspaper)... I noticed that after publishing in the paper a particular letter Motheane had mailed to us, countless letters from the same gentleman suddenly began to arrive by post...every two days or so! A plethora of letters, there was no way the paper could publish them all! So I invited him(Motheane) to my office and we met. I was struck by his passion for writing, his ideas, his dynamism... I dared not tell him to his face that he was contributing too much, sending too many letters...that he'd burst the frame of our publication, as it were... Then an idea struck me. I invited him to be a columnist for us. So he'd be able to focus on a particular theme every week in his column...

Question (Soqaga): How was Pa Motheane as a columnist?

Bolaji: How was Motheane as columnist? Top-notch, professional as usual. Very hard-working, a shining example for the youth. Selfless and prolific columnist...despite not being paid! You could see it was a labour of love, passion for writing for the grand old man. There was a certain punctilio about him that invited respect.A lot of the time I would type his (Motheane's) columns for him.  He had his detractors of course, but alas a lot of it was spite,jealousy. I was so happy when he was recognised with an award for his efforts as a columnist...that would come much later, in 2012. The Mbali Awards! What a night! Pa Motheane was as usual spick and span in his suit as he received his award. Even now I still enjoy checking the event on the internet...

Question (Soqaga): Some have questioned the "quality" of many of Motheane's books. That they are rushed, too many of them etc...what do you think?         

Bolaji: I suspect it's the "phd syndrom" at work, trying to pull him down, undermine him - a very cruel thing to do. But why bother about such cynicism? You should ask those so-called critics: have they really read most or many of Motheane's dozens of books? You can be sure that these 'critics' have not done so...are they aware that thousands of copies of his books have been purchased by the libraries, including Universities? I do recall that there was a (female) critic, Rebaone who actually read many of Motheane's books, and always praised them in her own critical column. That would constitute informed comment - not the spiteful  mean-spirited fringe bent on pulling a writer like Motheane down!

Question (Soqaga): But there are some pundits who believe that if a writer writes too fast, like Ntate Motheane, the quality of what one writes might be affected...

       

Bolaji: Nonsense. Lazy writers, ignorant charlatans et al say these things. Yes it is possible that quality might be affected, but why should we dwell on negatives? Why instead can't we praise the imagination or talent of such "fast" writers? Never mind eurocentric examples for now, let's look at some illustrious African writers. Wole Soyinka, Nobel laureate is famed for writing with extraordinary speed - some world class plays of his, like Death and the king's horseman, were written within a few days. The great J P Clark also wrote his famous play, Ozidi, within a few days. Cyprian Ekwensi could write 200 page great novels within ten days or so. So, who says writers can't be fast? Does it not make sense that when a writer is very passionate, committed to a particular imaginative work, such a book will flow and be even more interesting? That's something to ponder. Of course there's always revising and editing later...

Question (Soqaga): Rest assured that I have the greatest respect for Pa Motheane as an artist and as a man; these questions however have to be asked for the sake of literature, and to enlighten others. I have heard others trying to undermine the contribution of Motheane to literature; some say he's not popular or celebrated; others say there is something wrong with his vision and art...

Bolaji: Just because a few loud, spiteful people are being vicious, does not make it right. Why should a writer make noise or be flamboyant for example before they are noticed? Shakespeare died hundreds of years ago and is still being read, even much more widely now. When Achebe was alive would he have had to make "noise" about his masterpiece, Things fall apart, so that he could be celebrated?Writers would be appreciated one way or the other in the end. See how Pule Lechesa has pulled out all the stops to celebrate KPD Maphalla...now Maphalla is on Wikipedia. Whilst alive, Herman Melville (America) was not that famous - now he's regarded as a literary genius who wrote Moby Dick, with countless films and movies being made on the book now. More pertinent, this book you are writing on Motheane now will further put him on the literary map...do you think a few bad-minded people who claim to be writers would have ever conceived of honouring Motheane in this way?

* Pix above, Bolaji and Motheane

Question (Soqaga): Mr Bolaji, you famously created theTebogo Mystery series of books. Interestingly Pa Motheane published a book titled Dikgang Murder Investigation (detective story) Many believe he took a cue from you...

 

Bolaji (laughing): Mr Motheane never told me he took a cue from me! All these speculations and gossip...well. Yes, I am aware he published this book, which is just one of his numerous works in different genre. There was a time when one of the "critics" actually read the book (Dikgang) and criticised it heavily. But I had no problem with this type of criticism as it was informed, the guy had actually read the book. What I can say is that I read the book once and I enjoyed it; I was not looking for so-called flaws when I read it anyway!

Question (Soqaga): Obviously, Mr Motheane is a prodigious reader of books, for him to have published so many books, and him being a long-standing columnist for years...

Bolaji: As you have said - obviously. He has been reading books, good books for decades, and he has a superb personal library in his house. He has built up the library brilliantly over the years, and he has eclectic taste. You can see books on Shakespeare and other classical writers in his library, and many others. I remember Pa Motheane saying to me:"You know, most of our people think a library contains only books, but that is not strictly true...there are many other types of documents that I keep in my library, my sundry correspondence with bodies,including publishers, all over the world for example, my countless certificates, magazines, literary clippings and the like..." He then proceeded to show me many of such documents and it was an awesome process. Again, another time he said to me: "Any writer without a library is not a real writer...a writer must always have a library where he can consult, sift, do research and learn...". So that's the way it is!

Question (Soqaga): You and Pa Motheane were very close for quite some time, always seen around toropo (town) together - some even called you twins!   

Bolaji: (laughing) Ah well, I am not sure about twins - as Mr Motheane is old enough to be my father, and in many ways he was a father-figure for me! But yes – we were very close, you might say the world of writing and journalism brought us together. It was heady... I even used to go to his house every week, savour his wonderful cooking... Culinary delights! He is a very friendly, genial,generous man, and we went to many places together, including restaurants and general recreational centres. He might say: "Bolaji, I have discovered a place where the food is so good - nxa!" - and we'll go there together and eat. You can be sure that sooner or later in his elaborate manner, he would open his official bag or suitcase – right there at eaterie! - and bring out documents, manuscripts, books and the like. And we'll discuss them. As you remember also, we used to enjoy birthday parties at the newspaper too, and Sir Motheane would enjoy himself to the brim, together with other writers, like poet Raselebeli "Magic" Khotseng, Seleke Botsime, Mpikeleni Duma, and even the feisty ntate Qoopane...

Question (Soqaga): Mr Bolaji, you have had many individual study-books written about you and your literary work. Recently, such a book was published on Mr Flaxman Qoopane too. What do you think about such books?   

Bolaji: Such books, which are par for the course in the western world, are very fine introductions to individual writers and their work. There are so many excellent writers in the world that we benefit a lot from such books focusing on particular writers. Let's say Shakespeare, Dickens, Thomas Hardy, TS Elliot, the Bronte sisters, Herman Melville etc. Recently I read a study, a bookon William Golding, famed author of Lord of the flies, and learnt more about his background and other published works. Or to mention an SA writer, the illustrious Sindiwe Magona, and the scholar, Siphokazi's excellent study on her work. Actually the book on Mr Qoopane reminds me of Siphokazi's study as they both contain many essays contributed by many other writers. I remember the frisson of excitement I had upon visiting some libraries, and seeing 2, 3 such books focusing on my work! I think you are doing a great job putting such a book together on Pa Motheane too, and I wish you every success!

Soqaga . Many thanks....

Kgang Motheane reviews FROM WHERE I STAND

George Rampai is the author of the novel, From where I stand (2012) a fictional work. What to make of this work? Firstly is the book a novel? It certainly is! The book is at least 160 pages in length.

It definitely has a plot, a good beginning and end (as regards the main story; as a thriller) The author also writes well, with general fine descriptions. Again we might ask: what about the characterization?

Does the author create well-rounded, plausible figures? To a large extent he does; especially Danny (the protagonist himself) Moliehi the lady, and a few others. And what about the aspects many critics so far find objectionable? The philandering (playboy-ish) nature of the protagonist and narrator!

 It is undeniable that in this modern world most women will not like the references to a man’s lust and apparent desire to sleep with virtually every woman he meets. Yet perhaps we must also point out that from the very beginning, the narrator has admitted his terrible weakness for women.

This weakness cooks his goose but in the end all goes well for him at least; the criminals are rounded up; Danny gets a fine financial reward from the police, and at least two women in his life seem ready to accommodate him, even have babies for him! Chauvinistic and sexist, perhaps.

Yet Danny does not feel as if he has done anything wrong. It might be old-fashioned in these days of feminism at its height – but that’s the way it is. This does not make this novel any less exciting. Mr Rampai has done very well to put this memorable work together, despite the misgivings over how women are portrayed in the work.

Kgang Motheane at the National Library (South Africa)

"I had a wonderful, illuminating visit to the National Library of Pretoria. I was welcomed by stalwarts Margaret Kibido and Narios, and Prof John Tsebe the CEO of the library and the other staff. What was amazing was the spacious area where books were kept and displayed, all things are allocated electronically.

I was accompanied by my son-in-law, Tshepo John Baleni. The other department that roused my curiosity when Maggy showed us that, that section is where books are washed with chemicals, if students for example have dirtied the books, coffee or tea or any substances – like grease - has spoiled the books. There is also the binding section and repairing of books’ section.

There is also the auditorium that accommodates three hundred people. There is also a spacious hall that accommodates people for conferences. The books are the most important factor; there is the section of books where the books of the politicians that were banned during the time of apartheid, books like Steve Biko’s, Mandela’s, Sobukwe’s and the others.

The comment that Prof John Tsebe and fellow workers said that the Free State Authors are making a great deal impact in literature in the Free State, they said Bloemfontein writers beat and achieved more than the other provinces. The Bloemfonteiners must hoist the flag of literature up all the time!

As an extra bonus, we also visited where Dr Nelson Mandela is hospitalized – journalists from all over the world were watching and capturing with cameras around the hospital listening to what might happen to the former President (Mandela). The place witnessed a heavy traffic of cars, people, journalists; but they were kept outside the hospital, they even slept on the caravans.

I am fortunate to have experienced the history of our former President."

*Kgang Motheane is the author of several published titles

Kgang Motheane wins Award

MBALI LITERARY AWARDS (2012)

Category: Commentator/Writer on literature

Winner: Kgang Abel Motheane (columnist)

Citation:

“The award for commentator on literature was also a simple choice. It goes to Ntate Kgang Abel Motheane for his Bookshelf column. It is a superb, concise, informative column which comes out every week. This year alone, the column has published excellent appraisals on writers like Leseli Mokhele, Gomolemo Mokae, George Rampai, Job Mzamo etc; why, even the late illustrious Gore Vidal (American) was featured in the column! It is no surprise that a large number of these excellent write-ups have found themselves on the internet for the world to read”

Pix above: Kgang Motheane (right) at the Mbali Awards

African Night Fire stories (review)

Book: AFRICAN NIGHT FIRE STORIES
Author: Kgang Abel Motheane

* This review was done by Pule Lechesa and published in FOUR FREE STATE AUTHORS

 When you look at the outer cover of the book the enduring image is that of ‘Granny’ next to the hearth beating the drums to dramatize her fairy tales; doing so surrounded by the young people agog with anticipation at hearing stories of existential significance to them!

Yes, the “fairy tales” used to be told in the night; that is why the title is “African night fire stories” They could not be told in the day as there was this superstition that faded away with the tide of time. We were told that if we could be told such stories in the day we would develop horns. I remember whenever we used to hear them being told in class some of us would plug our ears so that we could not hear them! But after sometime when we realized that those who were bold enough to listen could not have horns we decided to listen as well.

Before the story could be told the storyteller in a charming prelude, would say, “Bare e nere” then the audience would respond by saying “Qoi”. After this the storyteller would proceed. My mom Emily used to narrate to us a fairy tale about a certain heroic boy called ‘Sankatana’ and the Monster’. The story says one day a certain Monster came out of the blue and devoured all the peace loving people from Sankatane’s nation. This boy had to physically and mentally prepare himself to fight against this Monster in order to set free his nation and he finally succeeded in that.

When interpreting it from a political point of view the message was that Sankatane represented those who were in the liberation struggle; the likes of Steve Biko, Robert Sobukwe and Mandela and many others; whilst the Monster represented Apartheid. What I am trying to say is reciting fairy tales was also a tool that was used to give people hope. To those who were teaching this story from a religious point of view Sankatane is ‘Jesus’, Monster is the Devil. I think that Motheane’s book will also be treated like that; the animal used here will represent something in our daily lives. The most important thing in fairy tales is the moral behind the story.

Let me take one story from the book and adumbrate its relevance in these days that we live in. The story of ‘Horse and the Zebra’ in chapter nine, page 24. The story tells us that these two animals loved one other as they belonged to one class. The same with us in South Africa; we are beginning to love one another as we have discovered that we belong to one race, which is ‘Human race’. The Wife of Zebra did not like the idea of her husband working together with horses. But her husband told her that the horse belonged to them, they only lost stripes. The story shows us how these animals worked together to defeat their enemies, which were the hyenas and lions. If black and white can work together in South Africa the other African countries will follow them. And it teaches us that communication is a powerful weapon. In South Africa if ever they did not allow CODESA there could have been blood shed.

African Night fire stories, is indeed a remarkable book. It is the first of many fairy tale books that are still hopefully to come out of Free State competing in this genre locally, nationally and internationally. It contains 10 stories that are educational, and will help and motivate people. Like when you look at the first story “Rain maker” – it gives one a hope that one can survive by means of a talent that God had given to one. The book has 10 stories such as: The rainmaker, The snake and man, The moon visits the stars, The crocodile visits the big fish, The birds and the animal held a meeting in the black forest, The old man and three boys, The duck that laid the golden eggs, The flowers in the garden and peach tree, The horse and the Zebra, The king who requested a long story.

The formal review of Mr. Motheane’s book done on the 12-June-05 in Bloemfontein (South Africa) was interesting. I was delighted to be personally present and add some fizz to the occasion. Literary critic Mr. Peter Moroe’s comments were quoted: “Motheane has written stories that African children used to be told around the firelight at night. They are full of proverbs and animals from ancestral history. They are stories which were told but never written down to date.” Patrick Mohatlane said during the book’s launch that it is good to have this kind of book which will help the new generation not to forget the tapestry of our African heritage; be it Sotho, Xhosa and Zulu sayings.

Although the spirit of reciting as well as writing fairy tales is alas, seemingly diminishing amongst the various African nations, indigenous initiatives of this pivotal and creative author Kgang Motheane will undoubtedly bring about a major innovation in the Free State black literature. With his artistic style of writing, he rekindles the likes of Cqina Mhlophe and Amos Tutuola who are some of the best writers of African literature and poetry.

NOTES

1. It should be noted that Ntate Motheane did well to conscientize and popularize Free State literature in 2004 by writing his column “The bookshelf” published in Free State news, where many local books were introduced to the public.
2. Daily Sun. June 10 2005 edition. Page V1 of supplement in the middle of the paper. Article titled: “Kgang’s dream comes true!”. By Omoseye Bolaji
3. “Never too old to write” Published in Daily Sun, June 14 2005. Page 11. Note the photo of the author, together with author of this book, Pule Lechesa during the formal launch of Motheane’s book

Introduction

Kgang Abel Motheane is a South African writer born in 1940. He has published over 40 books; in languages like English, Afrikaans, Sesotho, Setswana and others. His works include:

African Night fire stories