Meet veteran writer of 31 books
Despite struggles to become a teacher, he has never looked back. Instead he pressed on to write books in his indigenous language ... Setswana.
NATURENA – Veteran teacher Sello Samuel Mokua (57) from Naturena has written a total of 31 books.
Telling his story, he shares the days he used to work underground as a mine labourer at Bafokeng North Mine, loading heavy rocks into the mine trains. It was also during that time he was called to teach at Bafokeng High School as a temporary teacher during the 70s and early 80s.
After a long struggle, he managed to get the necessary training as a teacher at Soweto College of Education after which he went on to study at SACTE. He has never looked back. Instead he pressed on to write books in his indigenous language … Setswana.
At present he has been teaching Geography and Setswana at Moletsane Secondary School since 1984, and Sello wrote the following Setswana books, Tsa Maloba, a Folklore book.
His Poetry books are Molalatladi, Diphororo, Thutolore, and Legapu, and the following are his short story books, Molaetsa, Kgotla o mone and Le Aramele.
Drama’s generated from his pen are Ntheetse, Matsapa di a tsaya kae, Mmelegi, Maemo a ka taga, Otla nkgopola, Motho ga a itsiwe, Motswedi, Lo ojwa le sa le metsi and Sesana. His novels are Boitshoko bo tsala katlego, Tlisetso e tswala katlego (South Sotho) and Ke Molato wa ga mang which won a first position for the literary competition from Maskew and Longman.
Sello have achieved more by writing books for the current syllabus called CAPS (Continuous Assessment Programme Statement) and the books are Lesedi for grade 10, Leaner and Teacher. Se nkgerise a grade 8 novel, Lesedi reading books for grade 7, 8 and 9 Setswana, and Tota is prescribed for grade 4, 5 and 6.
He said, “Matsapa di a tsaya kae?” is prescribed for grade 12 level nationally. “I once attended a workshop where this book was discussed. And the content of the book touched me very much and I couldn’t believe that the book was written by me! Most of my manuscripts were written many years ago while I was still a shepherd at Bhundu in Rustenburg.”
Apart from writing, Sello is also a very active person. “I was a marathon runner and a former registered member of Rand Athletics Club and I ran many ultra marathons like City to City, Nashua 42.2km etc. At present I am a Deputy Soccer coach at school, and we are involved with Investec League.
“I also participate in the Cycaline activities, a sports activity of learners who have been cycling from Johannesburg to Durban since 1988. From August 4 to August 11, I participated in that annual event. Schools that are involved are Moletsane Secondary, Pace Commercial and Torah Academy from Orchard in Houghton. Each school chooses 10 grade 11 boys to participate in Cycaline. They are chosen according to their academic performances and behaviour. This sport is part of Mandela Day celebrations,” he said.
As a geography teacher Sello likes travelling around the world and his recent travels included trips to Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Spain and Canada. He said this year he will be holidaying in the Canary Islands, and on his way to Canaries he will make pit stops in places like Dubai and Spain.
He prides himself that he has assisted authors like Daniel Motaung, Doctor Lekeba and the late Molefe Rammekwa. At present he is having a look and is assisting with a manuscript from a grade 10 learner who wrote an FET book.
“I am calling all people from all walks of life who need to be assisted in terms of writing books, to come forward. Let us work together,” he said.
