City of Roses and Literary Icons (Book)

Flaxman Qoopane, a journalist, poet and author, has published his latest book titled City of Roses and Literary icons.

He said: “In this new book, I debunk the general belief in many quarters that the Free State, Bloemfontein, in particular, is something of an outpost as regards major, pivotal trends in literature.

“I demonstrably show in the book that Bloemfontein, over the years has hosted a conglomeration of distinguished wordsmiths, and even taken the lead in orchestrating cardinal literary meets,”


According to the author, in the book, we get to learn the details of such literary occasions that got off the ground in the “City of Roses” (Bloemfontein); the galaxy of such literary icons who have graced its shores – including Kgotso Maphalla, Don Mattera, Lauretta Ngcobo, Jim Mokoena, Prof Lewis Nkosi, Prof Keorapetse Kgositsile, Don Matterra, among many others.

“The new book also proudly details the goings-on at the 2006 South African literary Awards which were held in Bloemfontein,” Qoopane said. “At this occasion very important literary awards were given to many of the all-time greats of South African literature. It was also at the gala that Prof Kgositsile was named the current National Poet Laureate.”

This is a book to be read by all lovers of literature and the arts and culture in general. The Free State Provincial libraries immediately ordered some one hundred copies of the book.

“Qoopane indeed shows his effulgent love for writing and writers in general. He puts together many unforgettable occasions of literary orientation hosted in Bloemfontein; this book gives the lie to the belief of so many that the Free State is something of a literary backwater,” Bolaji, distinguished author, said.

Introduction to Qoopane's major works

By P. Moroe

How do you judge Flaxman Qoopane as a writer? The question is perhaps unfair for someone who has published over ten books, though most of them are autobiographical and short. As one who has lived passionately for literature – and of course journalism – Qoopane deserves a lot of praise. Let us look at his books.

Qoopane’s first book is A POET ABROAD. Here we are given insights into his time abroad and overseas, from Lesotho to east Africa and stints ion western Europe. He grew as a poet and writer over the years and the eclectic influences he was exposed to shaped his broad minded personality.

In MEMOIRS OF A CULTURAL ACTIVIST Qoopane recollects many of his contributions to arts and culture. Important meetings and committees he belonged to, and his role over the years as Free state’s outstanding cultural activist. As the title of the book clearly shows, the book is too premature though as other of his works like THE CONFERENCE and MACUFE 2001 show

ADVENTURES IN JOURNALISM is one of the most interesting books penned by any local black journalist in the country. But alas the book is also dated, especially when you take into account Qoopane’s very recent fantastic contributions to journalism.


In RENEILOE MPHO’S STORY, Qoopane’s deep love for his youngest daughter shines through. It is a book mainly for the very young but marred at the very end with tragedy. And we all know a child of two cannot write a book!

O BOLAJI: PERSPECTIVES ON HIS LITERARY WORK is perhaps Qoopane’s best book. Here he has produced an objective critical work that does him great credit. He has not allowed the bonds of friendship to affect his critical skills, which is commendable.

It would have been very strange if a man largely recognized as a poet did not produce a book of poems, hence Qoopane’s THE VISION OF A POET is a welcome book. It shows the author has been producing fine poems for a very long time.

The CONFERENCE and MACUFE 2001 are small books that illustrate the authors contributions to arts and culture yet again. Whether such books are necessary or not, or should have been part of MEMOIRS OF A CULTURAL ACTIVIST is not the province of this piece.

Other books written by Qoopane include CITY OF ROSES AND LITERARY ICONS, THE CREST, and WOMEN OF TALENT. Qoopane has also published hundreds, perhaps thousands of articles in many newspapers, magazines and journals around the world. For his rather prodigious writings and great love for the world of literature Flaxman Qoopane deserves a lot of praise.

INTRODUCTION

Commemorative events have swung into gear as South African writer and cultural activist, Flaxman Qoopane clocks 60 this year. A series of special articles and essays are being written about him, with a book scheduled to be published in this wise...

Flaxman Qoopane is a poet, writer and journalist residing in the Free State, South Africa. He was born in July 1955 and spent more than ten years in voluntary exile during Apartheid. Since his return to South Africa he has mainly worked as a journalist contributing hundreds of articles and features for newspapers and magazines like Realtime, Next, Bona, Daily Sun, Hola, Free State News, and Seipone. He is one of the most visible of the Free State writers, also owning his own publishing house, Qoopane Literary Services. He is also the founder and curator of Qoopane Literary Gallery.