A Rocklands poet hopes to keep Afrikaans alive and inspire readers to take back their pride with the publishing of his second book Kind van die Dal, sub-titled Op die Digtersarena.
Ricardo Korkee, 42, has just returned from a four-year stint teaching English in Saudi Arabia away from his family. He is temporarily teaching at Parkhurst Primary School, in Westridge.
“I’ve been writing most of my life and I’ve always enjoyed poetry. I’ve never been much of a talker so I write about myself, about my life. I capture my emotions and feelings,” he said.
Mr Korkee qualified as a teacher in 1991 and completed his BEd Honours degree at North West University.
He said looking at reports that Afrikaans was being phased out, he wants to nurture the language and document it in his work.
“I wish to keep the language alive, write more books and perhaps venture into short stories,” he said.
Originally from Bloemendal, in Port Elizabeth, Mr Korkee was inspired two-and-a-half years ago to publish his first book Kind van die Dal, a collection of poetry dealing with his upbringing – deeply centred around roots, heritage and education and a specific focus on socio-economic challenges.
Married to Indiana and father of Camerin, 18, and Kaylum, 11, Mr Korkee would put pen to paper when he missed them and wanted to write about an injustice, whether it be racism, substance abuse or violence against women, during his frequent free time.
“I like to use satire to give a lighter side to serious issues,” he said.
“Even though we are being challenged, we can also laugh about it. Each poem is written about a different person or situation for our communities to take back their pride, whether it is Mitchell’s Plain, Bloemendal or any other suburb for that matter,” he said.
He would be in Saudi Arabia for nine months out of a year and during this time he would pen his thoughts.
Mr Korkee launched his second book at Weltevreden Recreational Centre, Rocklands, on Sunday August 14.
He regularly posts poetry on his website, http://ricardokorkee.wixsite.com/the-poet and Facebook page Ricardo Korkee – Skrywersblad, where he also gets feedback.
It took him a year to compose the 52 poems in his latest book, which include illustrations to give some life to the poems and footnotes to explain some of the “lingo”.
This anthology include poems Toe Bloemendal Bloemendal was (when Bloemendal was Bloemendal), Tik mummy (tik mother) and Mr. Politician.
“It is because of my love for the language that I wish to sustain and nurture the language,” he said.
He appealed to readers to promote Afrikaans and especially coloured poetry.
As a self-published author Mr Korkee, is responsible for covering publishing expenses and book sales.The anthology sells for R100. To order and for more information, call Mr Korkee at 078 529 7150.
