12 Sep 2016

For people whose job description entails handling  emotional issues in counselling, assessing the human livelihood and making recommendations on improvement measures, one would think social workers are just too busy people to have fun outside the office since they tackle complex social matters. 

The duo of Nnetetsaone Thipe and Tebo Phaphane who are colleagues in the Social and Community Development (S &CD) office at Jwaneng Town Council has established themselves as a poetic pair that dishes out rich Setswana words during public events.

Their union started early this year when Thipe entered the District Public Service Day competitions under the poetry section and he asked Phaphane to ululate for him. Thipe, whose poetic talent left the audience and the judges in wow, was complemented with a unique style of ululation and creative posture from her female colleague which suits traditional poetry.

Dressed in traditional attire, Thipe’s creative flow of words mixed with jokes has also earned him fans who are always screaming with excitement to his performances.

The 29-year-old, social worker said he tasted the stage of poetry for the first time this year in Jwaneng just to test the waters and he is confident that his long hidden talent would take him places. 

He said after declaring their intentions to their employers, they intend to commercialise their talent. 

They are currently rendering their services for free. 

The feedback that the duo is getting from the public makes them confident that their talent needs to be nurtured and perfected to suit both the casual occasions and corporate events.

“My partner has been wonderful and a crowd puller and she has blended well with my talent, making us a unique pair of the honey of poetry. We are ready to grab any opportunity that comes our way,” Thipe said.

Phaphane is also amazed by her talent to render a dazzling, decorated and loud sound of ululation that sends echoes through ones’ ears. 

She said they intend to inspire the next generation by displaying their talent.

Meanwhile, Thipe who trades by the name ‘Malamaleele,Tedu di botlhoko go beolwa’ on stage, is also working on writing a Setswana novel titled Boitshoko jwa Mosadi Selelo. 

He said the book would profile all the issues and challenges women go through, which include abuse and endurance to pain. 

He has been writing Setswana short stories on social media and the response has been positive.

Therefore, he felt it was time for him to publish a Setswana novel. ENDS