17 Apr 2017

The recent constituency arts competitions in Palapye had performers who impressed the audience and adjudicators.

One of the performers, 34-year-old poet Gosego Letsatsi was among the those who graced the event and dished a sterling performance.

The Maunatlala born man was performing in the poetry category.

Affectionately known as Ka rre ka rre in poetry circles, a name he was given by poetry fanatics for his style of pausing while reciting a poem with the phrase “ka rre ka rre,” said the genesis of his love for poetry dates back from humble beginnings.

For Letsatsi, his childhood upbringing in the bushy fields of Maunatlala was unusual therefore worth remembering.

“As a young boy, meeting other neighbourhood herd boys whilst out there in the bush tending cattle was a great experience because we would battle it out in praising our cattle by reciting poems something which the elders constantly encouraged,” he said.

As he continued taking a trip down memory lane during our interview, the young poet said in most cases an individual would pick a cow from the cattle he was herding and praise it with a poem.

Without a shadow of doubt, his figurative and proverbial use of Setswana when reciting a poem is enough proof that he was born to be a poet of note.    

He vividly recalls being honoured with money and gifts by his audiences during his schooling days at Maunatlala Junior Secondary School every time he offered to perform during school ceremonies such as prize giving celebrations.

The day President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama gave him with a cow as an appreciation for praising his leadership with a poem titled “Puso ya makgoa” during one of the kgotla meetings in Palapye will always be memorable to Ka rre, ka rre’s journey in poetry.

“If a leader of such caliber appreciates your work it shows you are sailing through on the right direction as an artist,” he said.

The talented young poet also received a beast and named it ‘Letsogo la Kgosi’ during Kgosi Mogwera’s 30th wedding anniversary celebrations after spicing the day by reciting a praise poem dedicated to him.

He hailed the President’s Arts Competitions for contributing to his growth in poetry, noting that the competitions gave him the platform to be known by the public and being invited to perform in various functions such as kgotla meetings, weddings and other social gatherings.

The youthful poet takes pride in the President’s Arts Competitions for laying the foundation for upcoming performers such as him to showcase their talents.

His rich Setswana poetry, which always mesmerises the audience, leaving them asking for more, has an impressive record in constituency arts competitions.

The young poet has scooped position one consecutively for the past five years.  

Ka rre ka rre reached his zenith in 2015 when he scooped position two in the President’s Day Competitions in Gaborone.  

The monetary gifts he accumulated in these competitions and social gathering performances has helped the youthful poet to sponsor himself in pursuing a diploma in accounting and business studies at the University of Botswana. In the quest to promote Setswana poetry and unearth talent, Letsatsi and other prominent poets in the country formed a group called Motlhaolosa Poetry Ensemble.

The aim of the group is to nurture the talent of upcoming poets, revive Setswana culture and hold poetry cultural events as well as encouraging students across the country to learn Setswana poetry.   BOPA