22 Sep 2017

Poetry in all its forms remains the oldest artistic genre that has a powerful force to send terror into the hearts of men, to subdue kingdoms, or send a message of love that melt the heart or a message of hope to nations.

Batswana like other nations, have got their own poetic style that has continued to be passed from generation to generation with the rich Setswana language that transcends across the country.

Botswana has very great poetic legends of whom their poetry continue to serenade Batswana in different platforms including radio stations.

Numerous artistes, who undertake or pursue poetry, will narrate to one how they grew up among old men who knew Setswana well and have sulked the richness and beauty of the language.

In the village of Motokwe, in the Kweneng District, a 30 year old young man, Lawrence Dipolai has decided to follow his passion for poetry.

He said even though from his young age he was shy and could not articulate himself well in front of an audience, he knew he had the talent because he was nurtured well by his grandfather. 

Dipolai said he realised from a young age that he loved the language of poetry and the way words were richly coined together to send strong and powerful message.

He said when he was doing standard four, he used to participate in school activities where he would showcase his talent and people loved it. “I stayed with my grandfather who was a poet and also a traditional doctor and I learned the language from him,” recalled Dipolai.

He said the way he used the language was amazing and he wanted to be like him when he grew up and little did he know that he was learning from him.

Dipolai further said when he was about to complete his Form 3 at Motaung junior school in Kang, he participated in a library day event, where teachers recognised his talent and he was included in the school magazine.

He said after completing his junior level, he took a break from poetry, but was still learning at the same time and he bounced back in 2011 during Independence Day celebrations.

“At the time, I was now a grown up and knew how to better use the language to the jubilation and awe of the audience,” he said.

Dipolai said in 2012, during President Khama’s visit to the village, he also took to the stage and serenaded a poem and was given P200. 

He said he then started to participate in the Presidential competitions and has so far done well even though the competition was tough.

He further said he has since realised especially during the competitions that he could earn a living through poetry and change his life for the better.

Dipolai said he started getting serious about his poetic talent and took part in different competitions and had won money.

He said he also perform at other functions in the community and elsewhere during weddings and church activities.

He further said this did not mean that it was an easy road as one has to understand the theme and make a message around it.

Dipolai said through the money he has won in the competitions, he was now building himself a house and was only left with plastering.

He said he wanted to engage more youth who might be interested in following poetry, adding that he has since identified a  certain boy and girl whom he would train and nurture their talents.

He however argued that poetry was an intuitive talent which one was born with and all it needed was brushing and polishing it into the right direction.

Dipolai said he was also preparing himself to record an album in poetry and has a dream to record poetic songs like the way Souith African Nzwake Mbuli does  to be more appealing to modernity.

He was also preparing poems with the possibility of publishing them so that Batswana and the world over could read them for themselves. ENDS