Story of a freedom not yet realised
MOLEFE PHETO PULLS NO PUNCHES IN HIS BOOK
WEARING a beige dashiki with a grey woollen jersey wrapped around his neck for warmth on a cold autumn evening, Molefe Pheto has a spring in his step.
Even the crutches the author, musician and political activist usually uses to steady his walk are a hindrance and an unnecessary load on this special night.
Pheto carries the crutches as he moves around Sophiatown restaurant in downtown Johannesburg with the energy of a man half his age, meeting and greeting people who have come to
the launch of his second book, The Bull from Moruleng: Vistas of Home and Exile.
He points out that The Bull from Moruleng is his second published book.
His first book, When Night Falls, which was banned in South Africa, was published in London, England, in the 1980s.
Spotting a small hoop earring on his left ear, one could not help but chuckle when looking at the 78-year-old grandfather given the title of his book, The Bull … and the ear tags that are clamped on cattle. But also, the juxtaposition of old age, his grey beard and the symbol of youth – a pierced ear.
It is these curious things that make the life of the founding member of the Black Consciousness Movement of Azania in Britain an interesting read.
Pheto is a freedom fighter who found it hard to return home when all political parties were unbanned. He believes the ANC government sold out South Africa in the 1990s and missed the opportunity to reclaim the land. But he had no qualms about buying a farm in Magaliesburg.
He is such a colourful character with a sense of humour, youthful mischief and a seriousness and sadness that one often sees in those who are disappointed with the current government.
In the book, he talks about why it was hard for him to come home after two decades in exile in the UK.
He makes no secret of his disgust in the leadership of the ANC. From corruption, empowerment of a select few and a landless people to the way politicians talk and dress, Pheto is not afraid to speak his mind.
In the foreword of the book one gets a taste of Pheto ’ s mind. “The proliferation of juvenile millionaires even before they cut their milk teeth is stunning and, frankly, quite wrong. It can only be the result of blatant theft … “Presidents, deputy presidents, cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and members of parliament, men and women wearing darkshaded sunglasses as they saunter around during their socalled official duties … What is behind those dark glasses?” he writes. He is no doubt a cosmopolitan man, but one that has great respect for his culture and traditions.
In the book, readers are taken along on his journey to find his ances- try at Moruleng in North West and Mochudi in neighbouring Botswana.
At the book launch on April 24, the Phetos and Molefes came in numbers to support one of their own, even belting out a song started by veteran actor David Pheto, who was assigned to thank the guests for coming to the launch.
The Bull from Moruleng is more than just a story of an old man who is living in a big farm in Magaliesburg, and his anguish and conscience getting the better of him after watching farmworkers in the areas around his farm and feeling sad about seeing how little life has changed for them.
It is a story of a man whose version of freedom has still not been realised.