24 July 2023
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Story Leonie Bolleurs
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Photo André Damons
Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha recently launched his second book, Nna Ke Monna, during an event at the UFS.
The event took place on 19 July on the Bloemfontein Campus.
The book launch was held as part of a creative writing masterclass and drew notable attendees, including dignitaries from Lesotho. Among them was the Honourable Minister of Trade and Industry in Lesotho,
Shelile Motaung, and the British High Commissioner
in Lesotho,
Harry MacDonald.
Earlier last week,
Jeannet Molopyane, Director of LIS, and her team handed a copy of the book to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Francis Petersen.
Writing in Sesotho
Out of a collection of more than 200 000 books, only 16 000 are written in Sesotho. Dr Mofokeng wa Makhetha highlighted that the UFS should take a leading role in promoting the publication of African languages.
Addressing the importance of decolonising education, he asked, ‘how do you do that? “We need to go back to our language and our culture. This is what this book seeks to correct and heal,” he answered.
Unlike his first book, I am a man, where he delved into his intricate relationship with masculinity, fatherhood, and identity, this new book is written in Sesotho, not English.
I do not want anybody reading this latest book to sit with a dictionary to understand it. It was written for the Basotho pallet, to be read by all members of the family.
“As a Sesotho, I have the authority to talk to the Basotho and I don’t want to do that in a manner that anyone must interpret what I am saying.”
He went on to explain that he chose to write this book in Sesotho, because – with the first book – he found that there are thoughts that are difficult to express in English. The English book was a compromise in many ways, and with this book
he wanted to reclaim his authentic voice and really have fun.
MacDonald also contributed to the language discussion, saying that the way in which we express ourselves is coloured by our language. He said being able to work in one's own language, such as this book, is a crucial aspect of reflecting one's culture
and facilitates faster learning during childhood.
Molopyane, regarded the event as an opportunity to restore the dignity of our languages. Building upon Molopyane's statement, Kego Phuthi, Marketing and Engaged Scholarship Assistant Director in LIS, added that the book launch is reflecting on the significance
of literature as a catalyst of change. “The book is an extraordinary work that can change stereotypes and give voice to the voiceless.”
Healing masculinity
In addition to addressing language, the book also emphasised the significance of manhood and the process of healing masculinity. “We are here to raise responsible men with integrity, not big boys,” Dr Mofokeng wa Makhetha said.
According to
Nthabiseng Jafta, the publicist of
Nna Ke Monna, this book was released one year after Dr Mofokeng wa Makhetha’s first book and coincided with the launch of the African Languages Press.
“During the process of working on the second book, Dr Mofokeng wa Makhetha guided me to reconnect with myself,” said Jafta. She also expressed pride in contributing to the potential impact of Sesotho literature in the nation.
In his address, the Honourable Minister Motaung shared the same sentiment, encouraging Dr Mofokeng wa Makhetha to continue publishing books that uplift the Basotho community.
- The award-winning South African actor, who appeared in the films Cry, the Beloved Country, Mandela and De Klerk, and Tsotsi, received an honorary doctorate from the UFS in 2019 for his commitment to scholarship and his service to humanity.