12 Sep 2017

Okabo Gaopelo, 32, popularly known in entertainment circles as “koko ya mokoko,” is a poet of note. The annual Presidential Arts competitions have moulded him into a poet he is today, and it has put him in a position to perform with other artistes.

“Dikgaisano tsa ga tautona di ntswetse mosola ya nna sone serepudi same ka gola le go gaisa gompieno. Ka kopanela serala le baboki ba ba popota ra nkgisana magwafa ga nkga go utlwala.”

Born and bred in Nokaneng in Ngamiland, the budding poet is a true definition of stature. The way he walks, the way he carries himself, his character, his charisma all spirals down to the branded poet he is.

He explains his journey as a performing artist in an interview.

“My poetry roots go back as far as Nokaneng Primary School. In 1992 when I was doing Standard Two there was a poetry competition in our region and there was nobody to represent our school. I entered the competition and scooped position one. On the other hand, I used to compete in youth rallies in our area. That is when I developed a love for traditional poetry,” Gaopelo said.

One of his influence from a young age was his mother, Tholego Gaopelo, who is also a poet. Gaopelo looks up to Moreri Moroka, a judge in the presidential competitions who always gives him constructive criticism.

Internationally, he looks up to Mzwakhe Mbuli due to his flair, presentation and audibility, one can feel poetry is in control when he is on stage.

From Okavango junior secondary, Ghanzi senior secondary to Ngethu Brigades, Gaopelo kept busy with traditional clubs to keep afloat as well as to perfect his poetry skills. He even formed a drama group in Ngethu Brigades in 2005, which was a combination of song and dance which dually kept him abreast with his endowment.

The fourth time runner-up of the Presidential Arts Competitions started out exposing his talent for the nation to see in 2013 in which he scooped position one in the Okavango region and got position three at the nationals. By then, he was with Diphuti Traditional Troupe.

In 2015, Gaopelo, once again tried his luck. He scooped position one at the regionals and position two at the nationals. In 2016 history repeated itself as he got position one at the regional level and position three at the final.

In 2017, he scooped position five in the traditional poetry category. ENDS