LIGHT AND AFTER

Launch of Kobus Moolman’s book at 2010 National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. (Review by Thomie Holtzhausen)

Held at the English Literary Museum, the launch of Kobus Moolman’s latest book Light and After was attended by writers, poets, actors and directors. The ever-humble Kobus received guests with his wife Julia and one almost felt as if invited into “their” home.

The work is presented in four sections: Home, Light, Anatomy and Afterwards”. A soulful journey into the truths and the essence of life. As we become more integrated and whole in our self and as we become more comfortable with the forces within ourselves we develop a greater level of inner power. We become strengthened by our own authenticity and to contribute to the universe on a greater scale.

Home serves as a point of departure on this journey. An introspective view of our immediate environments. Atmospheric writing that forces the reader into looking at the self and the point of departure.

Light connects the reader with the landscapes that surrounds us. Beautifully animated landscapes that need to be observed are created by Moolman. The word canvas is colourful, simple yet extremely poignant. To travel our journeys, we need to become aware and be receptive of our environments – this is beautifully illustrated through the power of the word and Moolman is indeed a master. His journey becomes ours and it forces us to observe “our” perspectives.

In Anatomy, the essence moves within again and, against the backdrop of our flaws, our hindrances and our own insecurities, he sketches a journey giving us insight into his concerns becoming our own differently-abled powers. Kobus Moolman magically succeeds in using his own canvas and colours, laying it in front of the reader - allowing the paint brush to be placed in our own hands to paint our own pictures. Superb! Anatomy received the DALRO award for best poem published in New Coin Magazine in 2008.

It is the contrast in Afterwards that hit me between the eyes: Moolman questions the journey in the final section of the book and allows the reader to question - not life’s journey, but the end of it all - allowing a return to the essence of a bigger spirituality often hindered by the mud-cluttering the mind. It is at the end of the book that you realize the absolute godly powers that Moolman holds in his writing and you simply have to read the book again, devouring his wordplay, his economic writing and his intense role as a spiritual guide.

Light and After is available from leading bookshops. - Thomie Holtzhausen