13 May 2013

Kgalagadi South poets have described President Lt Gen. Seretse Khama Ian Khama as a visionary leader whose commitment to uplifting standards of living for Batswana is unparalleled.

During the President’s Day competitions eliminations in Tsabong recently, several poets hailed President Khama as a cut above the rest especially on humanitarian issues.

Programmes such as Ipelegeng, Livestock Management and Infrastructure Development Programme (LIMID), Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agricultural Development (ISPAAD) and backyard gardens were cited as worthy in the eradication of abject poverty.

Poets also praised President Khama and his cabinet for committing to eradicating abject poverty through various initiatives. They argued that such initiatives stemmed from the President’s road map of five Ds, which they observed was fundamental in the fight against abject poverty.

Throughout their recitations, poets portrayed President Khama as a champion who saved performing arts and artists from possible extinction. Poets recited that they had realised their talents and claimed back their positions in the entertainment arena.

In his poem entitled Tautona le nyeletso lehuma, Osenotse Fox praised President Khama for his significant role in helping unearth talents, which otherwise could not have been possible if it were not through annual President’s Day competitions.

…lehuma le, e tsoga e le dilo tsa kgale, goes part of his stanza observing that poverty would soon be a thing of the past if poverty eradication initiatives were taken seriously.

Tshwara ka thata morwa Khama gore kamoso talente tsa Batswana di utlwale le kwa ntle ga Botswana tota, Fox went on to appeal to the President to continue with the competitions so that more Batswana could further their artistic talents and get recognition even beyond the borders of Botswana.

The district arts and culture officer, Malebogo Mosala said artists should utilise President’s Day competitions while they last because as she put it, every president had their own roadmap or agenda.

She also challenged artists to prove to the President that such competitions were fruitful to them by putting extra efforts into their performance and practising.

“The President wants to see the impact of these competitions on artists,” she said. Mosala expressed disappointment at performers whom she said either failed to register for competitions and if they do, they would register very late or would not pitch up for competitions after registration.

Her disappointment was premised on the fact that only one choir out of the possible four turned up for the competitions while only six out of the possible 13 poets showed up.

This was despite the fact that the regional arts and culture office spent over P80 000 in preparations for the events.

“All these present us as not serious in Kgalagadi and let us not be surprised when drastic actions are taken against us,” Mosala said. ENDS