STERLING POETS AND WRITERS ATTEND THE ANC CENTENARY CELEBRATION

(PHOTOS) Wally Serote, and Don Mattera

By Flaxman Qoopane

A large number of comrades, including internationally renowned poets and writers attended the ANC centenary celebration in Bloemfontein Free State, South Africa early this year.

I had the opportunity to meet Professor Keorapetse Kgositsile at the ANC Regional Office- Kaizer Sebothelo building. It was an exciting moment for me to see “Bra Willie” again after a number of years; some five years ago he was inaugurated at the National Poet Laureate during the South African Literary Awards (SALA) ceremony held in Bloemfontein on 8 December 2006.

Professor Kgositsile, along with Paul Mashatile, Minister of Arts and Culture attended the ANC poetry session held at Thomas Maphikela Square at Batho location, Mangaung on 7 January. Paul Mashatile paid tribute to Pixley Ka Isaka Seme, Maphikela and veritable wordsmith Sol Plaatjie, and other leaders who formed the ANC

Professor Kgositsile, the National Poet Laureate 2006 read a poem he wrote many years ago while he was in exile. The poem is titled: South Africa Salute Uzbekistan. An extract from the poem reads thus: “We shall dream yes and when history absolves us we celebrants, here we are celebrants, of our future, here we witness the step towards the wholeness”.

Acclaimed poet, Don Mattera read his poem dedicated to the ANC Centenary Celebration, to appreciative poetry lovers. During the poetry sessions, Hector Kunene, a young poet from Bloemfontein read a poem Mirriam Makeba, from a collection of poetry: They passed this way and touched our lives by Don Mattera.

An extract from the poem reads thus:

“We salute you fairest Afrikan Queen you, who wept against the indifferent moon, traversing the shore of strange lands standing attention to foreign flags alienated, tolerated nomad of the struggle marching to the sound of distant drums sleeping in the dark fold of an exiled sunset waking in the glow of a challenging day you, Mirriam, broke bread with revolutionaries and was honoured by kings…”

The stage and television actress, Tina Mmumzana and also the Free State Centenary Ambassador read another poem: I hear Mandela singing from the same collection of poems by Don Mattera. An extract from the same:

“Besides me around and beneath me inside this burning self where impatient drums beat martial song I hear Mandela singing: this burden is heavy it needs people of courage.”

Three local poets: Nthabiseng “JahRose” Jafta, Serame “Icebound” Makhele, and Rita Chihawa thrilled the poetry lovers. Poet Batotile Dimane from Pinetown in Durban also had her voice heard at the poetry sermon.

The now world acclaimed Qoopane Literary Gallery had an opportunity to display an exhibition of 50 South African writers at the poetry session. Don Mattera gave a copy of They passed this way and touched our lives to Oscar Seleke (12). The latter also received R100 from the poet after “Bra Zinga” (Materra) asked him who the first president of the ANC was. Seleke’s answer was: President John Dube. He was excited and said he wanted to be a poet like Mattera and he was going to buy school uniform with his R100.

I had also another opportunity of meeting celebrated bard, Mongane Serote and the praise singer Zolani Mkiva at the Wesleyan Church in Waaihoek during the inter-faith night vigil service. Two prominent writers, Mandla Langa and Mbulelo Mzamane also attended the ANC Centenary celebrations.