23 Mar 2017

Poetry affirms that humans and individuals from across the world share the same feelings, says Dr Rosaleen Nhlekisane, lecturer at University of Botswana (UB).

Speaking at the commemoration of World Poetry Day in Gaborone recently, she said the day encouraged Batswana to return to oral traditions.

“There are about 29 languages spoken in Botswana and within those groups, there are poets. Poetry gives endangered languages an opportunity to be heard,” she said.

An African languages lecturer, Dr Nhlekisane said World Poetry Day was important because it supported linguistic diversity through poetic expressions.

“Poetry is a form of cultural tourism. Pay attention to what the poet is saying. Poets observe and see,” she said.

World Poetry Day observance she said was meant to encourage a return to the oral tradition of poetry recitals, promote the teaching of poetry, restore dialogue between poetry and other arts such as theatre, dance, music and painting.

Member of Parliament for Gaborone Central, Dr Phenyo Butale said the creative industry had to take the lead in terms of showing what type of framework and policies the country needed to grow the industry.

“You are in the creative industry so you know what works for you best from your experiences. So do not think you are just entertainers. The world has now realised your worth,” said Dr Butale.

He said it was high time Botswana took the creative industry seriously for its potential to create employment that so many Batswana were concerned about.

“The world over the creative industry is a multi-billion dollar industry especially when it comes to intellectual property,” he said.

He noted that Botswana needed a comprehensive framework and policy reform regarding the creative industry.

“We should stop treating the creative industry as a hobby and turn it into big business for people to earn a living and contribute significantly to our economy,” said Dr Butale.

Dr Butale also said it was encouraging to see the level of quality coming from the sector and that he said confirmed its ability.

“We need to make the environment conducive for our artists to thrive and we can start by appreciating their art and not taking them as only entertainers. They are so much more than entertainers. They shape our lives, tell our stories, and inspire us to do better, highlight social injustices and educate us on different cultures,” he said.

He further encouraged those in the creative industry to unite and work together.

“If you work alone and lobby alone you won’t make much of a difference. If you are united and speaking with one voice, you can move mountains,” he said. ENDS