Educator Magotja Hlaka wins award

Bela-Bela’s Raeleng Secondary School educator Magotja Hlaka’s drama book has won a National Literature Award.

The National Arts Council and the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture hosted the competition.

The event took place on Thursday 28 February at Hayani Lodge in Polokwane.

Writers from all nine provinces showcased their body of work on the occasion of the awards, with categories ranging from mother tongue to drama.

Hlaka’s book, titled “Photlamo legae la Basenagabo”, won him the first prize.

He was the only finalist from the Waterberg.

One of his books titled, “Ngwedi Wa Letopanta”, an anthology of poems, is prescribed for Grades 9 and 11.

His other poetry collection is titled “Tsa Borala”.

“Winning the competition is an honour to me, and I am out of words to describe how I feel right now. Seeing my books in libraries and schools from different parts of the country for the first time id a humbling feeling,” Hlaka added.

— The BEAT