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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

New SRC: Records of support and a victory for women
2014-09-04


Ms Mosa Leteane and Ms Louzanne Coetzee
Photo: Johan Roux

While campuses across South Africa regularly report falling voter turnout in campus elections of student representatives, the University of the Free State, in its recently completed SRC elections, registered record levels of support across our campuses with a total voter turnout of 44%. At the Bloemfontein Campus 34,4% of students voted (5052 votes) and 53,3% (1583 votes) at the Qwaqwa Campus.

Also, for the first time under the new SRC constitution, students elected a woman to lead the student body – Ms Mosa Leteane was elected as President. Another first was the election of a blind woman to the SRC – Ms Louzanne Coetzee. She will be responsible for student accessibility of our Bloemfontein SRC. This marks a victory for women in student governance.

Mr Tulasizwe Sithole was elected as the President of the SRC at our Qwaqwa Campus.

The election of Ms Leteane as President underscores the progress achieved for gender equality with near half of her SRC consisting of women (48%).

These successes are all the more significant, since this is the 4th year of elections under newly adopted SRC constitutions that allow for broader participation of diverse student constituencies in student governance.

This means that the crucial 3-year mark to test a new approach and method in governance and elections was not only successfully reached, but also in its 4th year shows the constitution as one that sustains its impact to deepen democracy and citizenship among our 30,000-strong student body.

“The results of the SRC elections across campuses show that our students are not only ready to lead our campus communities on issues relating to justice, freedom and democracy beyond our societal legacies of race and gender, but do so also for the student movement nationally. We’re immensely proud of our students, who show courage and resilience to choose leaders not for expediency, but for significance, and to lead not for some, but for all”, the Dean of Student Affairs, Rudi Buys, said.

The Qwaqwa SRC was installed on 2 September 2014, while the Bloemfontein SRC will be installed on 5 September. The Central SRC will be established on 14 September by joint sitting of the two SRCs.

The SRC members 2014/15 at the Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campuses are as follows:

Bloemfontein Elective portfolios:
President: Ms Mosa Leteane
Vice Pres: Mr Waldo Staude
Secretary: Ms Dineo Motaung
Treasurer: Ms Maphenye Maditsi
Arts & Culture: Mr Stefan van der Westhuizen
Accessibility & Student Support: Ms Louzanne Coetzee
First Generation Students: Ms Mpho Khati
Media, Marketing & Liaison: Ms Lethabo Maebana
Legal & Constitutional Affairs: Mr Lindokuhle Ntuli
Sport: Ms Dominique de Gouveia
Student development & Environmental Affairs: Mr Victor Ngubeni
Transformation: Mr Tumelo Rapitsi

Bloemfontein Ex officio Portfolios
Dialogue & Ex officio: Associations Student Council: Mr Piet Thibane
Academic Affairs & Ex officio: Academic Affairs Student Council: Mr Jonathan Ruwanika
Residence Affairs & Ex officio: Campus Residences Student Council: Ms Melissa Taljaard
City student Affairs & Ex officio: Commuter Student Council: Ms Kerry-Beth Berry
Post graduate Affairs & Ex officio: Post Graduate Student Council: Ms Masabata Mokgesi
International Affairs & Ex officio: International Student Council: Mr Makate Maieane
Student Media Affairs & Ex officio: Student Media Council: Mr Samuel Phuti
RAG Community Service & Ex officio: RAG Fundraising Council: Mr Johan du Plessis
RAG Community Service & Ex officio: RAG Community Service Council: Mr Manfred Titus

Qwaqwa Elective portfolios:
President General: Mr Thulasizwe Sithole
Deputy President: Ms Zethu Mhlongo
Secretary General: Mr Vukani Ntuli
Treasurer General: Mr Langelihle Mbense
Media & Publicity: Ms Nongcebo Qwabe
Politics & Transformation: Ms Nkosiphile Zwane

Qwaqwa Ex officio Portfolios
Student Development & Environmental Affairs: Mr Ndumiso Memela
Academic Affairs: Mr Simon Mofekeng
Arts & Cultural Affairs: Ms Samkelo Mtshali
Off-Campus Students: Mr Khanyisani Mbatha
RAG, Community Service & Dialogue: Mr Njabulo Mabaso
Religious Affairs: Mr Mfundo Nxumalo
Residence & Catering Affairs: Ms Ntombifuthi Radebe
Sports Council: Mr Luvuno

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