WELKOM – PROFICIENT Ladybrand-based literary critic, writer, and researcher, Pule Lechesa delivered an impeccable paper on August 25 in Welkom at the Lejweleputswa Art Centre, Studio 2, as part of celebrating and recognising the resilience and contribution of Sesotho female writers in Southern African Sesotho literature.

The informative and educational event was facilitated by the Sesotho Literary Museum (SLM) in partnership with Language Services and Lejweleputswa Arts Centre under the auspices of the provincial Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation.

Lechesa who was the keynote speaker aligned his message with the organisers' theme titled "Celebrating the Legacy of Sesotho Women Authors".

Explaining the purpose of the event, the multi-faceted Curator of the Sesotho Literary Museum and Acting Deputy Director, Tšiliso Masolane said: "The event was also in line with these departmental units' annual performance plans by providing an opportunity for practitioners to benefit from capacity-building opportunities and strengthening the outreach programmes with communities."  

He added: "It was a rare moment for attendees to benefit from the immense research work by Mr. Lechesa and an opportunity to engage in dialogue and map the way forward to ensuring the sustained effort of preserving and developing the literature in African languages, and in particular, to ensure an increased number of titles by women."

Lechesa, who is dubbed 'the backdrop upon which Sesotho writers shine" by his mentor and role model, Professor Nhlanhla Maake, focused on the "foundational writers" such as ’Mamosili Mokorosi and Dr. ’Masechele Ntšeliseng Khaketla and dwelled more on ’Makhokolotso Albertina Mokhomo.

He explained that the first Mosotho female writer to write a book in Southern Africa, contrary to popular belief, was not Khaketla but Mokorosi.

"Some people often give Mme Khaketla credit as the first Mosotho woman to publish a Sesotho book in Southern African literature. She published her first book in 1954, and it was called Mosali eo u mphileng eena. Mokorosi published her book, Bolebali, in 1951, making her the first Mosotho woman to publish a book in Southern Africa. Lechesa explained that Khaketla's husband, the late Bennett Khaketla, who was a respected writer and politician as well, also confirmed this in his book, Lipshamathe,” Lechesa said. 

"Towards the tail end of 1951, something humongous took place. Morija Printers Depot published yet another poetry compilation book, called Bolebali. This was a colossal feat as the author was a woman and she was the first Mosotho woman to have ever published a book in Sesotho," reads Khaketla's translated preface.