Author goes back to his roots
Hearts will swell with pride when Herman Tema releases his new offering written in his mother tongue, Sepedi.
POLOKWANE – The 35-year-old author and teacher from Ga-Mamabolo, Komaneng village in Mankweng, under the mentoring of veteran playwright, Paul Rapetsoa, has several books and playwrights to his name.
He has also tested his acting chops in Get Down (2004), Never Until (2005-2006), Our Cry (2007), Can’t Wait (2009), Get Attitude (2012), and TV shows such as Skeem Saam, a documentary of Robert Sobukwe, and short films Lost Generation (2013) and Thapo (2016).
He has a keen interest in politics and debating and has worked in the office of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) as a deputy secretary and freelance entertainment writer. He also headed the Arts and Culture portfolio among other titles.
Adhering to the encouragement of his English teacher while still in school and taking inspiration from Thobela FM presenters, he tested the waters of writing which he now wants to add even more depth to by writing in Sepedi.
He wants to pass on his knowledge and experience to the younger generation which is why he chose to be a teacher by profession. He first had the opportunity to be a drama and arts teacher at the Paul Rapetsoa Institute of Dramatic Arts at the Capricorn FET Seshego Campus and now serves as the Secretary General of the South African Local Theatre Association (Salta). He is also a founding initiator of the South African Communist Arts Council.
“My roles at Salta include reuniting artists as well as to run and manage the reception and admin area of the association. I have learnt about the art and technique of writing as well as arts administration from Rapetsoa and I plan to pass on what I have learnt to young writers so they can flourish and succeed in their literature and creative writing,” he said.
Inspired by Athol Fugard and Oliver Kgadime Matsepe, Tema has published one book and one collection of his plays including short films such as Wakeup which was produced by SA FM and translated into theatre as well.
Among other plays he wrote are The Chicken, Hardships, Private Number, Mother in Zone 5, Voices from 1976, Oya Kae and Areyeng Limpopo.
