Issue no: 06
Born Moses Shimo Seletishain 1986, during when South Africa was still trapped in the
apartheid regime, Moses grew up like any other African child in the dusty python-like
streets of MooiHoek at Ga-Matlala 'a Rakgwadi in in Limpopo.” I am a poet, playwright,
author and translator. My area of interest is African languages and its social context and
Sepedi is my major.” Moses is a UNISA undergraduate BA Environmental Management
but he is today labelled author of the autobiography Tšhutšhumakgala: Tšabophelobja
Frans Tlokwe Maserumule.
Why a biography?
“Some still think I am too young to be writing
a biography as biographies were meant to
be written by professors, journalists and
maybe some middle-aged man with
extensive of academic experience. “Why
not a novel, short story or perhaps poetry
book as a start?” My peers ask. I strongly
believe that biographies are for whoever
sees/finds a need to acknowledge a
particular subject. A number of South
African stories are mostly written in English
or either Afrikaans. My point is not to
criticise the abilities of having to
encapsulate more in those two common
languages. I was inspired by EM Ramaila
who wrote Tša bophelo bja Moruti Abram
Serote, the first to write and publish a bio in
Sepedi (now Sesotho sa Leboa). That
automatically positions Tšhutšhumakgala
on second place.”
Requirements to write a biography.
“Time and space are a pre-requisite. Not to
forget honesty, proper research and some
few coins for travelling and for other
necessary logistics. In my case, I was
fortunate because the subject is still alive to
be challenged on other events. But the
mistake that you could commit as a writer; is
to only dwell on the one on one interviews. I
www.megaartists.co.za
suggest that you try to extend an ear and
find more information from other sources to
substantiate. Because the person you are
writing about might feel a need to play some
hero/heroines part within the book. Which
is the exact opposite of what the writer
might want to achieve in his/her writing.”
What other genres do you write about?
Non-fiction, Politics and challenges in rural
areas.
How would you describe your style of
writing?
OK Matsepe, David Maahlamela, Vonani
Bila and Matete Motsoaledi kind of writing
(only if you dare read) if not then I suggest a
homework.
How many books have you written so
far?
Tšhutšhumakgala is my first, although it
feels like the fifth.
As a writer what challenges do you
come across or what is challenging
about writing biography?
It is with extreme challenge to barely pick
up a subject on a person who you are not
even sure whether you will be able to
narrate his/her story correctly. Remember
Nov-Dec 2015
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