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24 July 2023 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo André Damons
Dr Jerry Mofokeng
Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha recently launched his second book, Nna Ke Monna, during an event at the UFS.

Award-winning actor and now author, Dr Jerry Mofokeng wa Makhetha, launched his second book Nna Ke Monna at an event hosted by the University of the Free State (UFS) Department of Library and Information Services (LIS), the African Languages Press, and the Academy for Multilingualism

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. 

News Archive

“Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?” Country folk worried about NSH hikers
2014-05-15

About 5 km short of Wortelfontein Guestfarm in the Northern Cape, Rachel Swart is sitting on the porch of her peasant house when four people come walking down the dirt road.

Guests on foot are not a regular sight in this region, because you must understand, Wortelfontein is situated where Hanover lies far behind you and Richmond is still a very long way off.

 

The four people on the dirt road are the hikers from the University of the Free State (UFS) on their way to Cape Town (on foot) to create awareness for food-insecure students at the UFS.

Adele van Aswegen, Ronel Warner, Ntokozo Nkabinde and Nico Piedt are already on the road for more than two weeks as part of the No Student Hungry bursary’s (NSH bursary) fundraising efforts. The bursary provides assistance to students at the UFS who often do not have enough to eat.

On day 12 of their walk, the plan was that our hikers would stay at Wortelfontein Guestfarm, but unfortunately they took the wrong turnoff. It is precisely at this point where they met Rachel.

“I will show you where Wortelfontein lies. One can easily get lost here,” says Rachel decidedly and points to the straight main road. She ties her baby skilfully behind her back with a towel and tackles the next 5 km together with our hikers.

“It is this kind of support and encouragement that keep us on the road,” says Adel.

Everywhere along the road people are stunned and concerned about the four’s trip and immediately offer their help.

Near Trompsburg, an elderly couple who just heard about the hikers at church, stop next to them and offer them a lift to the next town. They are thankful for the gesture, but have to decline the offer.

Between Trompsburg and Springfontein, Doug offers to take them to Springfontein. Once again they decline the offer.

There was also the uncle who wanted to buy them cool drink and the road workers who cheered them on.

In Colesberg a group of children asked worriedly: “Aren’t auntie and them hungry yet?”


These boots are made for walking ... to Cape Town (Article of 02 May 2014)


Daily updates:
(You can also follow us on @UFSweb for daily tweets)

Day 21: 21 May 2014
15:09
42 km
Leeu Gamka Hotel

Day 20: 20 May 2014
13:39
20 km
Alida, Springfontein

Day 19: 19 May 2014
12:31
27.6 km
Teri Moja Game Lodge

Day 18: 18 May 2014
First rest day
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 17: 17 May 2014
19:30
62.3 km
Nagenoeg Guesthouse, Beaufort West

Day 16: 16 May 2014
13:00
14 km
Taaibochfontein

Day 15: 15 May 2014
16:03
32 km
Travalia, Three Sisters

Day 14: 14 May 2014
18:33
43 km
Joalani Guest Farm
 
Day 13: 13 May 2014
17:30
33 km
Die Rondawels
 
Day 12: 12 May 2014
16:49
40 km
Aandrus B&B in Richmond
 
Day 11: 11 May 2014
39 km
Wortelfontein (Magdel and Christiaan)
 
Day 10: 10 May 2014
15:44
34 km
Hanover Lodge
 
Day 9: 09 May 2014
40.8 km
Camping between Colesberg and Hanover
 
Day 8: 08 May 2014
15:25
33.7 km
Colesberg, The Lighthouse Guesthouse

Day 7: 07 May 2014
15:08
23 km
Orange River Lodge

Day 6: 06 May 2014
15:57
51.06 km
Gariep Forever Resort

Day 5: 05 May 2014
12:18
28 km
Rondefontein

Day 4: 04 May 2014
15:27
35 km
Trompsburg: Fox Den

Day 3: 03 May 2014
17:30
46.74 km
Edenburg Country Lodge (Hotel)

Day 2: 02 May 2014
11:44 am
15.3 km
Tom's Place

Day 1: 01 May 2014
32 km
Leeuwberg

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