Saturday, January 30, 2016

FRANCE NTHEJANE (1974 - 2015)





By Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga

Absolutely, the untimely demise of the multifaceted Mr France Nthejane has left many aggrieved and shattered especially in the literary fraternity.  There's lots to reminisce about him.  His outstanding solicitude of being benevolent and his awesome contribution in the growth of Black African literature is very important.  Many who are familiar with him will not easily budge concerning his craft which he demonstrated with lots of verve. 

Specifically as I write this, I am aware that his staggering death caused many people to grieve incredibly. The alarming reality is that it is really a sad thing to see Africa constantly witnessing at how its literary giants are leaving this world.  Yearly Africans are reeling as death will rob them their charismatic writers who are committed to quintessential literature.  For instance, the demised of Ma Grace Ogot of Kenya, Chenjarai Hove of Zimbabwe and most recently Laureta Ngcobo of South Africa have left many devastated.  In Africa death is seriously respected and mourning is inevitable.  But also there is a time to celebrate and acknowledge the extraordinary contribution of African heroes and heroines have made in literature.

Personally, I am very impressed by the enormous efforts France Nthajene made, in particular to contribute essentially in underpinning grassroots literature.  He will of course remain one of the brilliant literary catalyst and early grassroots writer in the Free State.  Firstly, he played a pivotal role in ensuring that literature in the grassroots level becomes popular within the colourful spectrum of black communities.  Secondly, his vigorous commitment and sacrifices to produce such a remarkable book “The Tempe Man” which unfold-tentatively what history and historians cannot be able to do.  That is an unfortunate reality about history and historians; their almost entire focus is on national and international events.  Although what they are committed to produced is also significant for the benefit of assimilation.  But here is the man who deserved to be acclaimed by the sterling work he had done over the years; to champion and pragmatically advocate grassroots literature.  France Nthejane and his dazzling work “The Tempe Man” published in June 2000 will always remain one of the fascinating books ever produced in the Free State (South Africa). 

Underlying, the book is one of the books that the journalist life of the industrious Mr Mpikeleni Duma.  The book is diminutive and largely riveting.    The literary guru can called it a biography.  Apparently the book is an inspiration as it showcases graphically the brilliance of the self-taught journalist Mpikeleni Duma.  Well one should concede that reading and writing amongst black people is something that is not yet fully-fledge.  The situation is not emanating from external forces like in the past.  If someone can observe careful and familiarize himself/herself with African literature will incredible fathom the mayhem.  To be specific Africa over the years has successfully managed to produce countless numbers of prodigious writers and their works which are internationally recognised.  During colonial times great writers emerged significantly from African continent and today their exhilarating works are still enjoy by many people in the world.  Amazingly, their works became successful without the advancement of technology.  Likewise in Europe literature had also flourish for many centuries in the absence of the current technological privileges.  For instance, writers were strictly using handwriting without computers like in today’s world.  It is conceivable to appreciate this phenomenon although it can be complicated for others who have mischievous intention to besmirch African writers and their transcendent achievement.   

“The Tempe Man” by Nthejane is an excellent paradigm in the grassroots level.  The writer painstakingly revealed a wonderful story about Mr Duma.  What is most marvellous about France Nthejane is his craft which he illustrated with profound enthusiasm.  Able to touch specifically on Duma’s superb achievement as a sublime journalist and moreover he lucidly expound at how Duma is fond with literature since from his school years.  Although Duma is the popular fantastic journalist, Nthejane have managed to show how Duman never completed his academic studies because of the unwholesome situation that prevail in South Africa during the apartheid years. It can be astonishing to others as how Duma managed to become a successful and mind-blowing journalist.  But the book has all nitty-gritty response concerning Duma’s involvement in journalism.  Brilliantly Mr Nthejane embellished his book by including other prominent writers who are au fait and intimate with Chief Duma.  The contributors add upstanding value for what Nthejane wish to share with the world about one of the splendid son of Africa (Mpikeleni Duma). Also in the book there is a winsome interview where Nthejane interview Omoseye Bolaji who knows the protagonist very well.  The Tempe Man contained many invaluable inspirations that a reader can relish with great ecstasy.

It is very worrisome to find out that our own black people are still oblivious about the importance of literature.  Nthejane during his life time had ensured that the story of Chief Duma must be celebrated in a book form.  The  main story The Tempe Man which many will recollect as it received large publication in particular on national paper like Sunday World.  It was outstanding article by Chief Duma who courageously went deeper to investigate the situation in the military base in Tempe (Bloemfontein) South Africa.  In synopsis Nthejane and other salient contributors wrote like this:

THE YOUNG INTELLECTUALL

Mpikeleni, as he grew up, loved the world of books and was an intelligent student.  He was naturally quiet, fair-minded but this did not deter him from being an intellectual leader in school.  Early in life he realised the importance of education and books.

BUDDING WRITER

In his late teens Mpikeleni had decided that despite all odds, he wanted to be a journalist!  It was an incredible thing considering the following factors:

     he was struggling to survive, and even had stints at exile because of his
     fights against the system,
     there was nobody to guide him then, nor did he have money to go to any
     school;
      he could not even finish secondary education;
      he hardly had any “connections” to help him;
      he was actually moving up and down for most of the time.

THE “TEMPE” MAN

Mpikeleni’s research and connections had shown him that there were lots of racial tensions at the Tempe Military Base, the biggest military base in South Africa.  He did his best to convince the paper-Sunday World – that these tensions should be highlighted and published.  To his great happiness, in August 1999 two stories on the Base were published – the first on outrage over the fact that a white soldier accused to brutal murder of two colleagues was still working at Tempe; the second story was about alleged weapons theft and sale from the same base.  “Blind folded” Mpikeleni had been allowed to see some evidence.

Mr Masilonyane Lefuo, an experienced educator, and a soccer-lover and commentator, more or less grew up with Mpikeleni.  He pays him this tribute.

“I have known Mpikeleni since he was very young.  There is no one who would not respect him for the way he single-handedly became an important, nationally recognised journalist – one of the most distinguished in the history of the Free State, and he’s still only around 30 years old”

Tiisetso Makhele, a young poet says:

“Duma will probably be always remembered for his stories on Tempe.  He made an impression nationally.  I remember that after the Tempe shootings there was a Felicia (Mabuza Suttle) programme on T.V. where it was commented that most journalists without research were portraying Madubela as a crazed killer, but only one writer investigated and discovered he (Madubela) was really a fine gentleman.  Only Duma wrote then that he was a fine gentleman.”

[In the year 2000 the psychologists’ report on Madubela, largely confirmed what Duma had written many months ago.]

Mr Raphael Mokoena, another writer (novelist) adds:

“As I recall, even when the first editor of Sunday world (Fred Khumalo) was leaving and recalling his achievements, the Tempe stories topped his list.  This is a great credit to Mpikeleni Duma.”

Part  Two

HE DID THE FREE STATE PROUD
BY FLAXMAN QOOPANE

I followed the “Tempe Stories” last year with Mpikeleni Duma at his best as a journalist.  His contributions to (then) Sunday World in this wise were very impressive.  He did the Free State proud.  He’s published many stories on the Army.

A PROLIFIC WRITER
BY DANIEL XANGAZA

Mpekeleni Duma is a prolific journalist.  He has published countless articles, features, quite a number of them sensational.  He has an extensive network of contacts who trust him and supply him with plenty of news items.
  
A ROLE MODEL
BY MALEKE MOTSE

I have been impressed with Duma’s progress, and it is great that he is now in Gauteng, showing the stuff he is made of.  His stories on Tempe were great, and as I’ve said he is a role model.

A TRUE JOURNALIST
BY TSHIDISO RAMATSIE

“Chief” Mpikeleni Duma – originally a “poor of the poorest” journalist from the dusty roads of Mangaung...

When I saw Mpikeleni Duma on the SABC TV in early June 2000 I was so “jolly” (too happy).  I told myself he has reached a high climax of his “rolling” journalistic career.


BOLAJI ON DUMA

France Nthejane, editor of this publication, asked Mr O Bolaji many questions about Mpikeleni Duma.

QUESTION:  It is an open secret you are very close to Mpikeleni Duma.  What
                         would you say is the most
                         admirable thing about his journalistic career?
 ANSWER:     Like other observers, I think the startling, laudable
                         thing is that Duma’s formal education was restricted.
                         I doubt whether he even went as far as Standard 10.
                         Yet he’s now among a restricted coterie of outstanding
                         black writers.  And he (Duma) is still relatively young.
                         I’ve always said a writer or journalist is largely talent...
                         We’ve seen people with limited education producing
                         great works, like Gabriel Okara.  In the context of the
                         Free State Duma’s achievements are fantastic.

Furthermore, in this time of mourning and grieving for the poignant demised of Mr Nthejane I understand that he also featured prominently in Bolaji’s book “Thoughts on Free State Writing” and Alitta Molebogeng Mokhuoa’s book “Free State Writers Talking”.  These two fine noteworthy books display Nthejane as the exceptional writer who deserved to be commendable.  

Chapter Twelve
Free State Writers: Reflections
(Thoughts on Free State Writing by O. Bolaji)

Page 47-48: France Nthejane, the gentlemen extra-ordinary is a very sensitive young man who gives the impression that he can not hurt a fly.  Yet this man is an expert in the martial Arts!  (For years he ran an Academy of this persuasion.)

His interest in writing had seen him starting and publishing a local paper, Mangaung Mouthpiece.  He also put together the book, The Tempe Man.  Nthejane was instrumental in the publication of the book, The Story of Collins Mokhotho (incidentally written by me.)

(Free State Writers Talking by Alitta Molebogeng Mokhoua)
France Nthejane

Interviewed by Molebogeng Alitta Mokhoua

Page 31:  Is it true that we blacks do not read much?

NTHEJANE:  Many of us are guilty of this.  Many do try to read but they are
                        just getting used to this.
              It seems our ladies read much better particularly magazines and
              the like.  I remember
              Achebe fascinating me when I was younger and of course
              Mr Bolaji who by local
              standards is a great, great black writer.  We had very few books
              we could relate to as
              children.  It is shocking that many of us know very little about
              great writers from this
              country like Peter Abrahams, Zakes Mda, Mphahlele, Richard
              Rive etc; not to talk of the
              great white writers like Gordimer!  People like Ntate Qoopane
              are opening our eyes
              now...  I understand young writer Lebohang Thaisi reads in an
              incredible way
              considering his township background.
   
 Nevertheless you have contributed to black literature locally..

NTHEJANE:   A little.  As regards The Tempe Man I’ve known Duma for
                        many  years; not too closely mind you,
                         but enough to appreciate his achievements
                         despite daunting odds in the beginning;
               a man who made himself a national writer
               (i.e. journalist) despite poverty
               and little education.  So early 2000 I discussed with Qoopane
               the idea about writing on
               Duma and as usual he was very excited; and once Bolaji got
               involved you knew the plan
               was half way through already.

Nthejane colossal contribution in grassroots literature will constantly remain extraordinary great.  Only few people can do what he had absolutely done.  To consider informing the world about the black heroes and heroines that live in the vicinity is of course wonderful.  The fact that blacks are not aware about this animating task is underpinned by lot of Eurocentric books that are graphically glaring on the library shelves.  These do not mean that blacks are buffoon or are without voice.  The world is free now from any forms of oppression but yet Africa is still lagging behind when it comes to quintessential literature.  The benighted belief that anything pertinent to literature is not from Africa is arrant baseless.  To the African literary context Nthejane epitomize what a conscious African should be.  Decades ago when early pioneers of African literature realised the importance of literature, they suddenly made their mark by producing fascinating books that are engrossing to the world.

France Nthejane must always be emulated and remembered as the committed writer who wrote for the world to read about our African heroes and heroines.  Africa has awesome heroes and heroines of the great calibre-from the past and present.  Likewise France Nthejane is also the sublime and one of the heroes Africa ever produced.  He wrote a very remarkable book “The Tempe Man” and his mammoth contribution in black African literature is tour de force.   France Nthejane was recognised as a dynamic young man.  He was the Publisher of Mangaung Mouthpiece, a township paper.  He was the chairperson of the Greater Bloemfontein Youth Coalition.  Mr Nthejane was the founder/Director of the New Millennium Driving School.  Impressively he has also been the supremo of the Moo duk kwan Academy of Martial Arts, for years.


REFERENCES

BIBLIOGRAPHY
   Book
   The Tempe Man

Supplementary
1.     Die Volksblad, 1 July 200
2.     Free State Libraries April-June 2001
“Eclectic Writers Club” Page 16
3.     Free State Libraries Oct – Dec 2001
“Free State black Writers and their books” page 10 and 11

The Tempe Man; Mpikeleni Duma
Edited by France Nthejane
Published by Drufoma
P O box 2710 Bloemfontein 9300

First published:  June 2000

FREE STATE WRITERS TALKING
          Edited by Alitta Molebogeng Mokhuoa
          A production of
          Qoopane Literary Services
Box 4187
Bloemfontein
9300
c Copyright 2002

THOUGHTS ON FREE STATE WRITING
LITERARY ESSAYS
WRITTEN BY O BOLAJI
PUBLISHED BY QOOPANE LITERARY SERVICES
PO BOX 4187
BLOEMFONTEIN
FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2002

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