Sabata-Mpho Mokae

Sabata-Mpho Mokae is an academic, novelist and translator from South Africa who writes in Setswana and English. ^{[1] [2]} He is the author of a biography: The Story of Sol T. Plaatje, published in 2010 by the Sol Plaatje Educational Trust, in which the then Deputy President of South Africa, Kgalema Motlanthe wrote the foreword.

Early life

Sabata-Mpho Mokae grew up in Taung in the North West raised by his grandparents. His debut Setswana novel Ga Ke Modisa published in 2012 won him the M-Net Literary Awards for Best Novel in Setswana as well as the M-Net Film Award in 2013. In 2014 the novel earned him the prestigious residency at University of Iowa United States of America. ^[3]

Career and works

Mokae is currently teaching Creative Writing in African Languages at the Sol Plaatje University in Kimberley, Northern Cape, where he is also coordinating a literary translation programme called the Repatriation of Letters. ^{[4] [5]} Mokae is the author of a biography, The Story of Sol T. Plaatje (2010) and Setswana novels; Ga ke Modisa, published in 2012, Dikeledi in 2014, and Moletlo wa Manong, which was published in 2018. ^{[6] [7]} He is a co-editor of three academic publications: Sol Plaatje's Mhudi: History, Criticism, Celebration published in 2020 with Brian Willian published by Jacana, Sol T. Plaatje: A Life in Letters published in 2020 and Revisiting Sol Plaatje's Mafeking Diary: Reconsideration and Restoration published in 2023. ^{[8] [9] [10]} He is the translator of two children's books by Gcina Mhlophe from English to Setswana: Dinaane tsa Afrika (from Stories of Africa, 2016) and Semaka sa Dinaane (from Our Story Magic, 2016. ^[11] He has received three South African Literary Awards (2019, 2011 and 2021), the Humanities and Social Sciences Award in 2021, the M-NET Literary Award for Best Setswana Novel (2013), and the M-NET Film Award (2013). His work, which includes writing, translating, and teaching in two languages at the university level, earned him the PanSALB Multilingualism Award in 2022. ^[12]

Awards

• South African Literary Awards 2011. ^[13]
• South African Literary Awards 2019. ^[14]
• South African Literary Awards 2021.
• Humanities and Social Sciences Award 2021. ^{[15] [16]}
• PanSALB Multilingualism Award 2022. ^[17]

References

1. "Sabata Mpho Mokae" . Retrieved 2025-02-19.
2. Motaung, Rolland Simpi. "An academic's mission to decolonise the classroom one book at a time". City Press. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
3. "MOKAE, Sabata-mpho". The International Writing Program - Graduate College | The University of Iowa. Archived from the original on 2024-11-07. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
4. "Mr Sebata-Mpho Mokae". www.unisa.ac.za. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
5. "Sabata-mpho Mokae – Xarra Books" . Retrieved 2025-02-19.
6. Sekwati, Refilwe. "Book marks milestone". News24. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
7. Khumalo, Zandile. "'I feel betrayed and violated', novelist says after department photocopies his book for competition". News24. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
8. "SOL T. PLAATJE, a life in letters". Clarke's Bookshop. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
9. du Preez, Jenny Boźena (2021-04-16), "Women's solidarity in Sol T. Plaatje's Mhudi", Sol Plaatje's Mhudi, Boydell & Brewer Ltd, pp. 171–190, doi:10.2307/jj.1791931.13, ISBN   978-1-84701-278-4 , retrieved 2025-02-19
10. Gorin, David. "REVIEW | Return to Sol Plaatje's Mafikeng Diary not so much a reconsideration as a rehash". Life. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
11. "Mokae scoops top literary accolade". www.ru.ac.za. 2012-04-17. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
12. "PanSALB MULTILINGUALISM AWARDS – PanSALB". www.pansalb.org. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
13. "Sabata-mpho Mokae" . Retrieved 2025-02-19.
14. Mere, Boipelo (2019-11-11). "Top award for city writer". DFA. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
15. "SALA Announces the 2021 Short List". Africa Century Conference. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
16. "Announcing the Winners of the 2024 Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) Awards". Brittle Paper. 2024-04-02. Retrieved 2025-02-19.
17. "PanSALB MULTILINGUALISM AWARDS – PanSALB". www.pansalb.org. Retrieved 2025-02-19.