QUESTION: Mr
Thiba, how did it all start for you? When did you start thinking seriously
about writing? Were you perhaps handicapped as a black youth?
THIBA: Basically it all
started way back, I think two decades ago. Is when I started felt in love with writing. But firstly I started re-writing and performing poems of
other poets like MzwakheMbuli, KgafelawaMagogodi, Prof KerorapetseKgosietsile
just to name a few in order to test my writing skills. The reason why I was so
close to poetry is because I liked the way poet’s flow, rhyme words when they
recite poems. For Mzwakhe, he was outspoken poet who was releasing
videocassettes for his poems. And it was very heartbroken to see how black people was living
by then, duck and diving bullets for survival. And he was now and then goes to
jail to speak out his mind regarding apartheid era. My first poetry work
published in Free State News in 2009. I was so excited to see it on the paper.
One would probably consider you primarily as a
poet; but you have written short stories too (fiction); and also penned
literaryessays. How comfortable are you with these literary genres?
THIBA:
Ha haha, actually I consider myself as writer now.
Because I have noticed that I’m able to write poems, short stories and also
literary essays. I have given myself a challenge to try other writing avenues
and not be writing poems only. It’s a burning passion that I let it flow out
slowly like a lagoon. And personally I’m comfortable now writing in various
genres and I’m enjoying that a lot because I can express myself in a sundry
way.
It is exciting that your new book will soon be
out; a book of poetry. What is the title of the book, and tell us what the
whole book is about, and your favourite poems there?
THIBA:
That is a flawless truth. My poetry anthology book
will be out soon. And quite frankly I’m eager to hold it in my hands and smell
the fresh aroma of a new book. That will be my first book since I started
writing poems. And I personally have to dedicated my sincerely gratitude to Mr
Bolaji for genuinely encouraging me to publish this book. It was my plan to publish
it but, still in a snail pace which will be out probably next year. But the
good news is coming out soon. Many thanks to him all those who is behind my
back through sunny or dark. Tittle of the book will be ‘Let’s take a walk
Mama’. That is a poem that is close to my heart and talk about my family as
whole. I will say all the poems in the book are my favourites because all of
them are from within.
The literary world often talks about FS
literature, but it's really mixed, even international, isn't it? I mean Chief Bolaji
is from Nigeria, Maxwell Kanemanyanaga is from Zimbabwe, LeboelaMotopi and
Raphael Mokoena from Lesotho; Hector Kunene originally from KwaZuluNatal and
Gauteng; and you yourself you are not really from Free State. What do you
thinkabout all these varied influences on FS Black Writing?
THIBA:
That is really a truth; literary world is very
mixed up and diverse. But if you can take a close glance to all the writers you
have mentioned, their writing hit the prime standard in Free State. Meaning all
of them they have stayed in in the Province and some still does despite their
original roots. All of them they have taken the standard of FS Black Writing to
the highest level and is not a astonishment for the Province to be rich with
literature more than other provinces. Many deem that I’m from Free State
Province but I’m not, though some of my family members dwell in various spheres
of the province. But one thing for sure is originally ke Mosostho ‘I’m sotho’
and I can speak it fluently like a Lesotho born, ha haha.
What
writers, and which books would you regard as your favourites? Whattype of
literature do you prefers, African or Eurocentric?
THIBA:
I personally
like many writers, but will just give names of the writers because I have read
more than two of their books and all of them are outstanding. 1 Maya Angelou, 2
Frederick Douglass both from America, 3Bessie Head 4 WameMolefhe both from Botswana, 5.
MphoMatsepoNthunya from Lesotho 6. Chinua Achebe 7. WoleSoyinka 8. Chief Bolaji from Nigeria 9.
Sabata MphoMokae &GomolemoMokae, Hector Kunene, KgosietsileKeorapetse, Pule
Lechesa, Lebo Mashile, TueloRampolokeng and Ishmael Soqaga all from South Africa.
My list is very long I think I will have to stop here before the dawn catch us
up while naming them, ha haha. I do prefer African Literature and not limited
to it and I sometimes spiced up with Eurocentric one.
What
are your immediate future plans with your own writing? Other books you have in
the pipeline?
THIBA:
My future
plans with my writing is to take it to a higher heights, but reading as much
books as I can and write more books while I’m still gasping air. Currently I’m
about to finish writing my Setswana novel which I plan to publish this year if
things could go according to my ideals. And Setswana poetry book is also in the
pipeline. Reason why I’m writing in Setswana, I want to restore my mother tongue
as you can see many writers prefer to write in English nowadays saying that
they are broadening their market. That is not a problem.It’s a good thing, but
what about your language or African language? Is it better to let it die
because of your large market? Take a look – I think well known writer Wole
Soyinka writing in his language after many he wrote in English language. And former
South African President NM Mandela once says ‘A person can express himself
better in their language’ which Is a truth to me, because I dream in my
language not English. And don’t get me wrong regarding English language, is
global business language which makes us communicate with a brother or sister
from Cameroon, Italy and France.
Thank
you for your time Ntate TM “Father” Thiba in your writing and let’s read more
from you.
THIBA:
It’s a
pleasure my leader and it’s a pleasure. No doubt you will read more from me. Pula…
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