By Tiisetso M Thiba
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In the days we now live in, many people pass
on before reaching the age of 60 like Pioneer, Writer, poet Journalist, essayist and
storyteller, Flaxman Qoopane, who notches six decades in full this year.
I reminisce when other TV presenter interview the late renowned Poet Maya Angelou of how old was she? She replied by saying she was 86 years younger not old. It I was quite amusing and lesson to many that the body power can decay but the heart remains younger and younger. Jacob Moalusi ‘Flaxman Qoopane’ will celebrate his 60th birthday on July 2015, This is a massive milestone on its own which many people wish to reach that age but unfortunately life is unpredictable because others dies young and others old.
I reminisce when other TV presenter interview the late renowned Poet Maya Angelou of how old was she? She replied by saying she was 86 years younger not old. It I was quite amusing and lesson to many that the body power can decay but the heart remains younger and younger. Jacob Moalusi ‘Flaxman Qoopane’ will celebrate his 60th birthday on July 2015, This is a massive milestone on its own which many people wish to reach that age but unfortunately life is unpredictable because others dies young and others old.
Back to the main character Mr Qoopane.He has been in the literature industry for more than three quarter of his life and he has contributed immensely. By spending four decades abroad living and breathing the aroma of pen and paper. He has been in the countries like Netherlands, Italy, The United Kingdom, Mozambique and Lesotho and showcasing his spectacular work in there. This clearly shows that Ntate Qoopane loves what he is doing even though most of the times he is doing it with love and passion and not expecting remunerations from anyone.
He has written many articles and reviews
for different newspapers locally and abroad during his time as a journalist and
even today, some of those articles can be read on different blogs in the
internet. His books are available at different libraries and in 2009 I was
thrilled to see a school pupils reading and discussing his books at the
Bloemfontein Library.
His abridged book ‘A Poet Abroad’ simply distinguishes the extraordinary writing skills of Mr Qoopane, and it talks in-depth about his personal life abroad . Furthermore he eventually established his own Literary Gallery at his home in Bloemfontein.
And his Literary Gallery attracts plenty of local and international tourists to his own yard to witness his enormous Gallery, which includes his own works from the previous years and latest ones and other stories and articles of icon such as Steve Bantu Biko and many more.
He even established children’s library in Hillside View in Rocklands, Bloemfontein. This library caters many children around Bloemfontein. It was his concern to see children roaming the streets without doing nothing, or participating in any kind of sports or maybe reading a book. The library is showing a good future signs because is growing rapidly. Flaxman added that reading is important to children and he is happy to contribute to children in his own community.
His abridged book ‘A Poet Abroad’ simply distinguishes the extraordinary writing skills of Mr Qoopane, and it talks in-depth about his personal life abroad . Furthermore he eventually established his own Literary Gallery at his home in Bloemfontein.
And his Literary Gallery attracts plenty of local and international tourists to his own yard to witness his enormous Gallery, which includes his own works from the previous years and latest ones and other stories and articles of icon such as Steve Bantu Biko and many more.
He even established children’s library in Hillside View in Rocklands, Bloemfontein. This library caters many children around Bloemfontein. It was his concern to see children roaming the streets without doing nothing, or participating in any kind of sports or maybe reading a book. The library is showing a good future signs because is growing rapidly. Flaxman added that reading is important to children and he is happy to contribute to children in his own community.
Ntate Qoopane is a friend to many renowned writers, critics, journalists and poets such as Malome Bolaji, Pule Lechesa and many more. And he has played a vital role to a plenty of writers careers including me, and act as a mentor to instigate and show them of how to publish their books. I reminisce while I was in Bloemfontein in 2009 I have read some of his books at the Public Library and I got inspired to know about him and his work.
He is reminiscent of a lake that flows with desired water, and a lagoon that never dries of ideas and advice. Some years ago a Poet / Writer Mr Hector Kunene announced that he was writing a study book on Flaxman Qoopane, and the book is not out yet - but many literary pundits believe that the book will get a light one day, meaning it will be published when he is done with it.
Mr
Qoopane has largely dedicated his life to literature and a wish is to see him
witnessed the growth of literature in Bloemfontein and nationally and see many
children he encouraged to read and write publishing many books. I believe that
will be an outstanding gift to him before his birthdays. Pula NalaMohlomphehi.
Photo above: Mr Tiisetso Thiba (Kimberley, South Africa)
Photo above: Mr Tiisetso Thiba (Kimberley, South Africa)
