Uprooting a love for art, books and academics after 25 years in Lim

At the abode of University of Limpopo (UL) Criminology and Criminal Justice Department Head Cornelis Roelofse in Welgelegen the somewhat chaotic transfer of possessions to cardboard boxes resembles the extraction of deep-seated roots following 25 years in Limpopo.
Roelofse is currently in the process of relocating to Mtunzini in KwaZulu-Natal to take up a three-year contract with the University of Zululand as research professor in their law department.
With it Roelofse is bidding farewell a quarter of a decade in Limpopo during which he enthusiastically engaged in the academic, political, evangelism and art landscapes.
Surrounded by half-wrapped art work, books in boxes and a collection of antique remnants, he becomes silent as he reads from a 2007 anthology of his own poetic verses titled Libithanos and the 1970 writings of his mother, the late Emily Roelofse’s Kleigruis en Johannesbrood which he randomly picks from his cherished belongings awaiting the arrival of the movers towards the end of the month.
Sharing his passion for collecting first edition literary work and the arts, he temporarily steps away from the monotony dictated by an induced commitment to minimising the unnecessary and the unwanted when confronted by such a change.
The interview spirals back to what the future holds and he explains that it was with a heavy heart that he took the final decision to move from Limpopo, where two of his daughters reside to KwaZulu-Natal, where his one son is based. However, the Eastern Cape where his two remaining sons are located would be the next stop for intended retirement.
Despite the challenge of travelling distances faced during his time in Limpopo he evidently maintains close ties with his kin, tells of past hunting and fishing trips together and favourable proximity to the others from the nearest airport in future.
Roelofse arrived in Polokwane in December1993 to take up a position with UL for five years, became an African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) representative in the Legislature for four years, moved on to the University of Venda for another five years and in February 2011 returned to UL to join the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department, which he has been heading the past two years. As leader of the Renewed South Africa Party (RSA.P) he envisages that party activities would continue and the structure simply expand its reach to KZN.
In addition to putting pen to paper for academic purposes, Roelofse speaks of a spontaneous literary expression that finds a foothold in scattered pieces of paper. After having published two works before, he has now started on different collections of poems in Afrikaans and English as well as South Africa’s political highlights, which he reckons gives him the freedom to choose the occurrences to be included in the writing.
As a self-taught artist who prefers working in oil, he mentions two solo art exhibitions in Polokwane and Louis Trichardt in the past. He refers to time constraints impacting on his love for brush strokes on canvas and expresses the hope that living close to the ocean would spark interest in painting again.
Diverse interests include his involvement in the religious sphere and led to Roelofse assisting in establishing three charismatic church congregations at Mukonde in Venda, Bushbuckridge and in the UL area over time.
Career achievements entail, among others, chairing the program of the 17th annual International Police Executive Symposium in Malta in 2010 as well as organising and chairing the All Africa Criminal Justice Society Congress in South Africa in 2012. Stemming from its activities is the Just Africa Journal, of which Roelofse is deputy-editor.
Looking back on his stay in the province, he singles out highlights such as opportunities close to nature during visits to Kruger National Park, outings to Magoebaskloof for lunch in Haenertsburg, travels to the heart of rural Limpopo that taught him a lot about the hospitality of others, life on campus and elements such as Polokwane’s appealing climate and cool evenings. A thank you note accompanying a gift from a student or a call from a youngster’s parents to express gratitude towards him are part of the memories he will take along on his journey.
Finally greeting Limpopo gave rise to a set of questions, but in the end Cornelis Roelofse is leaving behind what he has experienced here to close this chapter of the book of his life.

Story and photo: YOLANDE NEL
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