01 Nov 2015

Youth aged between 25 and 35 have been urged to apply for the Mandela Washington Fellowship, also known as YALI.

The American Ambassador, Mr Earl Miller made the plea when giving a keynote address during poetry night. The session attracted poets, both locally and internationally.

Mr Miller said since 2010, the American Embassy has sent about 35 Batswana youth to the US for professional development in the fields of business and entrepreneurship, public management and civic leadership. 

Between 2013 and 2014, he said there were 500 African leaders from all corners of the continent who participated, adding that the number was set to double to 1 000.

Mr Miller urged the youth to take advantage of the programme and apply between now and November 11 at youngafricanleaders.state.gov. He noted that last year Monametsi Sokwe from Ngamiland was one of the participants, “and we would love to send more talented youth from your region,” he said.

The poetry night was part of the Maun International Arts Festival and prior to the event, contemporary poets from across the country had an opportunity to attend a poetry workshop aimed at improving their skills.

The facilitator of the workshop, Ms Rashida Namulondo taught participants about three important elements of producing quality pieces of poems such as language, imitation and reflection.

She said poet performers could write what they imitate and produce quality pieces, adding that it was important to put themselves in someone’s shoes. She noted that a poem could be created from anything, but advised them to always create material through reading and research. 

Participants were also advised to write poems with a rhythm as it helps to direct them. Ms Namulondo said writers should learn to edit poems and identify where music could fit in.  The use of the right language, colours, nouns and movement were also emphasised. Ends