22 May 2017

Poets have been advised to honour their talent because it is a vehicle for sustainable development and a market opportunity for them globally.

When giving  opening remarks recently, Kgosi Tiego Leshomo said this also showed that they come from a country that prides itself in culture.

“Through poetry, European countries have a chance to witness your work, this doesn’t only showcase your talent but also puts Botswana’s rich culture in the map,” said Kgosi Leshomo.

He said Botswana continues spreading wings and this has been displayed through the Presidential arts competitions.

On another point, Kgosi Leshomo advised poets not to give up should they not make it to the regional finals.

He said failure prepared one to be strong and perform to their best.

Kgosi Leshomo said judges were there to pick only the best therefore they should appreciate that.

Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, senior programmes officer,  Phemelo Masilo said the competition was aimed at promoting talent and cultural heritage.

She said since the competition kickstarted in 2008 it has grown yearly and participation has increased to large numbers.

She said this was an opportunity for one to generate money and said some artists have given testimonies that they have built houses with the competition price money.

However, Masilo said she was not pleased by the behaviour of late coming of most artists to events. She said by so doing it doesn’t show that they respect their products.

“You might be invited to perform outside the country so what does it mean if you pitch very late to the event,” she said.

Out of the 20 artists who took part, 12 poets from traditional and contemporary categories made it to the  southern regional finals of the competition.

The elimination which took place at Montshiwa junior school  hosted 20 artists competing from the southern region.

The top 10 for traditional poetry nailed it to the next regional level, while only two in the contemporary showed up to the competition therefore automatically granting them the chance to make it to the next regional round.

The artists came from as far as Lobatse, Kanye, Moshupa, Mabutsane and Good Hope.

When giving the report the adjudicators showed dissapointment towards the artists.

They advised them to always look for guidelines from the score sheet in order to understand what was expected of them.

They said some didn’t take enough time to rehearse and did not take note of the theme.

All participants who made it to the regional finals were advised to rehearse before the day of the regional competition.

The theme for the competition was: Creative industries: A vehicle for sustainable development.  ENDS