08 Jul 2014

Poetry has over the years been an omnipotent part of Botswana cultural component and this use of rhyming and verses to either communicate or transmit cultural information continues today.

Recitation of poems was traditionally a common melody during kgotla gatherings or victory celebrations to give praise to heroes and heroines who might have stood the test of time.

Renowned poets such as Ponatsego Mokane, wove inventive references to common proverbs, adages and sayings in to their stanzas, thereby evoking multiple layers of imagery and meaning.

The historical and metaphorical nature of some poems, in particular the older ones in praise of dikgosi and other cultural heroes, makes many of them extremely difficult to modern audience -- and even their narrators -- to understand.

The evolution of poetry in Botswana has however seen praise poems not only been composed for dikgosi and other highly placed people but also for or by anyone else, and this led to the influx of young generation in to poetry.

Poetry is indeed the cultural prides of Botswana has over the years experienced a decline in popularity but as the country’s first President once said, “a nation without culture is a lost nation”, credit should be given to youthful poetry devotees such as Mothusi Mothemele for ensuring that poetry lives on.

Born in Tshane 27 years ago, ‘Two-six ‘as Mothusi is affectionately referred to, never attended poetry or literature lesson. He described his love for poetry as a calling.

“I have poetry instead of blood flowing in my veins,” he declared.

It may sound like a clichéd to say poetry lives within him, but when it comes to this gifted poet, the old saying is certainly true. His heavenly sent talent and creative stunning poems and rhymes melodies make it hard not to fall in love with his poetry.

Mothusi assembled up his carrier at primary school level. His talent extends beyond poetry. He used to sing and dance traditional songs incorporated with poems and people loved what he was doing, this made him realise that his passion lied with culture.

Before focusing on poetry he was a dancer in some traditional troupe at Gaborone. The former Mogwana and Molodiwakoma traditional group dancer said after myriad of hurdles, he encountered, he learned that it was virtually impossible to juggle booth dancing, singing and poetry.

Subsequently, he opted to focus his attention in poetry and to his surprise people fell in love with his Setswana poetries, he said he started receiving invitation for weddings and other events. He even got invitation outside the country.

Mr Mothemale, who is also electrician, is loaded with Setswana jargons and phrases, He uses deep and rich language that is extremely embedded in the Setswana language which other people refer to it as our great grandfather language.

He indicated that most of time when listening to people especially elders he picks up unusual words and this has helped in boosting up his vocabulary.

“I do not write poems and memories them nor prepare, when I am invited to an occasion I just listen to the message being delivered by speakers and by the time I hit the podium the poem just set up itself and I would just flow,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Mothemele gave accolades to President’s Day competitions for helping him embrace his talent to higher echelons. With the money he won during the President’s Day competitions, he bought a dee jaying equipment to add to his poetry business.

Mr Mothemele highlighted that his next target is to enrol in Adopt-a-School, and tutor primary school pupil about poetry as that will give him impetus to pass and share his talent with the next generation, and this preserve culture.

He advised youth with talent or anyone with business dream to avoid being in secluded places and also to pay no heed to sceptic because to build a wealth from nothing is not for people with wavering minds instead is for those who are willing to give their best.

“My journey to stardom was not smooth sailing but my passion and perseverance made me climb ladder of success,” he said. ENDS