From Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation
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The Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR) mourns the passing on of Dr Khotso Pieter David Maphalla (popularly known as KPD) who departed on 05 April 2021 at the age of 66.
Born in the Free State in 1955 Dr KPD Maphalla is a renowned and prolific writer in the Sesotho language. Unequalled since the advent of written Sesotho literature, he has authored more than 70 literary books. His works, which span across all genres, have been prescribed for use in schools and tertiary institutions. They have, also been the subject of research by Masters and PhD students at universities.
Maphalla has received numerous accolades the apex of which was an honorary doctorate from the University of the Free State. From winning the Orator of the Year award as a student at Tshiya College of Education, in 1976, he went on to amass a string of awards which included Radio Sesotho Astera, Thomas Mofolo Floating Trophy and recognition from a number of publishing houses.
As a Department we were honoured to work closely with Dr Maphalla through his works; and were able to recognise his contribution to Sesotho literature with a Lifetime Achievement Award in in 2006. The Department also has repository of Dr Maphalla’s work which the public can view at the Sesotho Literary Museum.
“The loss of Dr Maphalla is akin to a closure of a resourceful library which many of us looked upon as a lodestar for the development of literature in the Free State and beyond. Gems of the calibre of Dr Maphalla are rare and never easy to find,” said the MEC, Ms Limakatso Mahasa. “We are, therefore, not going to tire in our efforts to unearth talent and nurture it through programmes and projects of this Department” concluded MEC Mahasa.
Issued by the Free State Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation (DSACR)
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| Enquiries:
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| Tankiso Zola
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| Director: Communication and IT
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| Cell: 082 940 2392
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| Tel: 051 410 4735/4821
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| Email: tankiso@sacr.fs.gov.za
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