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Northern Cape Writers Festival
Everyone complains about government. Complaining is one of the unifying factors of the South African experience.
We can bitch with the best of them! It is very important to criticize that which you love, especially when you see your beloved losing his or her way. Our government is no different.
There are brief glimmering moments where government creates magic. Those moments deserve to be celebrated as much as mediocrity, inefficiency and anti-intellectualism must be attacked. Criticism will never be heard unless it is coming from a place of compassion. Any poet worthy of the label will tell you that.
The Northern Cape Writers Festival was a creative intellectual’s wet dream. This is not an overstatement. From the 12th to the 15th of March, my spirit was emersed in the brilliance of Dr. Don Mattera, Vusamazulu Credo Mutwa, Prof. Keorapetse Kgositsile, Phillippa Yaa De Villiers, Napo Masheane, Ulric Namasun Roberts, Dr. Rozena Maart, Prof. Pitika Ntuli, Dr. Gomolemo Mokae, Ronald Harrison, Sindiwe Magona, Vonani Bila, Sabata Mokae and many more.
Credo Mutwa said, “There is a war being fought against certain books, against the mind of a black person.” The audience who sat through the incredible panel discussion in which he participated was treated to a rare display of Afro-eccentricity and true genius. Did you know that this seminal African mind is not earning royalties for ‘Indaba My Children’? The money is going to some American professors who came here, drank up his memory with a straw, and then sold it back to us and to the rest of the world. Sies!
The place he has earned in my heart was expanded when he said, “Why am I black? Why do I have a big buttocks and big thighs? Because I am an engine of human survival!” Amen.
I was hurt to meet so many beautiful young black writers who are struggling to feel a sense of place in their own home. The overarching question asked by many was “Where do we get support?” Government will not rain manna or money on anyone’s head. Our job is to find our place and our purpose as writers. Our challenge is to search for the audience that needs our work. Begin wherever you are: in your school, at your place of work, at your church, your stokvel, or on your street.
Form a writers’ group, meet regularly, share your work with one another, and create platforms for yourselves. Focus on creating high quality work and success will follow.
It is impossible to talk about writing in this country or on this continent without delving into the abyss of language usage. This was a huge issue at the festival.
Interestingly, this debate was set against the backdrop of Kimberley’s colourful fusion of Setswana, Afrikaans and English. I love the way people remix languages in Kimberley. It makes me wish I were cool enough to speak like them.
Poet Laureate Prof Kgositsile said, “You’ve got to be able to tame the English language in order to make it speak your mind as an African”
Dr. Rozena Maart said, “The English language is designed so that it regulates thoughts… I have bent this bloody language to suit me!”
I long for the day when we are truly a multi-lingual society.
When we can walk into the boardroom, switch on the TV, or walk into a library (remember those?!) and experience a spectrum of languages that truly reflects who we are. Until then, the language issue will always feel like an “Us vs. Them” argument with the writer walking a lonely road in the middle, just trying to find his or her own voice.
Big up to the Northern Cape Province for giving us so many questions to answer!
Fan Comments
November 10, 2009, 16:33:23 : thabang minnie
WOULD love to know about diffent venues were poetry is performed in the district of Johannesburg. I think after reading this article I realise its time to unlish my talent before it gets rotten. Im highly inspired by your hard work and hope to work with you soon. You are a giant in disguise. Please tell me if this is good enough to feature in my upcoming book.
A THOUSAND APOLOGIES
A sudden movement triggers flames
Ragging eyes symbolize insecurity
The mind pacing into the past
Thoughts suppressed like a caged beast
The soul restricted to express itself
Beauty in those eyes suddenly shallow
Deep contamination of dirty deeds
The demon inside singing vengeance
Demolishing an idea of a thousand apologies
Enslaving the patience of reconciling
Patience is no virtue to the wounded victim
Like a false vaccine an apology is rejected
The fire inside erupted every fierce emotion
Tranquility killed by the reaction of disturbance
Acceptance came as a harsh reality to face
A thousand apologies to all shuttered feelings
Hope to see you rise like Rome
And acknowledge the glistening shining smile
Miss the love once showered upon our empire
And the kindness that rained in my kingdom
From: T.Minnie (0827650680)
August 25, 2009, 12:48:34 : Boitumelo Napo Mahubane
I am a B.A student specialising in creative writing and deeply interested in writing,language,culture,e.t.c.so what I request is that,could I in future be notified of the events such as the Northern cape writers festival via e-mail if it is possible?
Another thing is that I enjoyed the work you did on the programme L'titude,still love where you are taking Drawing the line and hopefully will continue to produce such amazing work.
lastly I love you and your words.Keep it up!!!!
April 17, 2009, 14:31:34 : boitumelo makhuzeni
once lebo mashile said i break down the queens english till sepedi , sotho etc can understand it , let deversity be embraced , this make me proud of being black
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