Flaxman Qoopane | |
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Born | Moalosi Jacob Qoopane 1955 Mangaung, Union of South Africa |
Died | 22 November 2017 Mangaung, South Africa | (aged 61–62)
Occupation | Novelist, poet and journalist |
Notable works | Reneiloe-Mpho's story, Letters to a Poet |
Moalosi Jacob Qoopane (1955–2017), also known as “Flaxman” was known as “the father of literature and arts” in Bloemfontein. Qoopane was a South African literary activist and internationally recognised author, poet, journalist and biographer.[1]
Qoopane was born in 1955 in Mangaung in the Free State. He spent most of his childhood as well as career in the Free State. His interest for writing began at an early age.
Qoopane left for Tanzania and lived in exile from 1977 to 1992. Upon his return, he continued to write articles, essays, fictional stories and poetry. Flaxman Qoopane and Omoseye Bolaji soon became household names in Mangaung. Their popularity grew due to as their articles were frequently published in the Next magazine. Qoopane also contributed to a popular national daily newspaper, the Daily Sun and also Realtime magazine. Qoopane's work also appeared in publications such as Hola, Sowetan, Bona, Drum, A and E, Kopanaang and Free State News.[2] Qoopane established and curated the Qoopane Literary Gallery where profiles of local writers and journalists are displayed sourced from an extensive range of newspaper and magazine clippings.[3] He also developed the children's library in Hillside View in Rocklands. [4] The library is close to the University of the Free State satellite campus in Mangaung and caters for approximately 100 children.[5] Qoopane also published in the Bloemfontein Courant. Qoopane dedicated his time and effort into creating opportunities and resources to writers in Bloemfontein. He was one of the most well-known writers whose career spanned the period of unbanning Black people from publishing their work in South Africa.
Qoopane has showcased his writing and poetry work in countries such as the Netherlands, Italy, the United Kingdom, Mozambique and Lesotho[2] His journalism continued to develop during his time in exile and Qoopane was particularly successful in East Africa.[3]