05 Nov 2013

The much anticipated grand finale of the third installment of Maun International Poetry Festival delivered on the hype that had been building for a few months on November 2  at Maun Lodge.

The show went on until the wee hours of the morning with performance after performance from artists from across SADC countries. RB2’s Oratile Kebakile and Comfort Ramatebele aka Big Fish entertained the house throughout the night as the show’s MCs. Poetavango Chairperson,  Legodile Gabanabeng aka Dredd X said the third installment was made bigger and better by the generosity of sponsors who came in large numbers to support the creative sector.

He commended the Department of Arts and Culture, which he said has been the backbone to their aspirations as they have supported them from the beginning. Amongst those who thronged the main event was the Maun business community, who came in large numbers to support the event, which incorporated fine arts, music, poetry and literary arts.

The stars of the night included Mr T, Dredd X, Leshi Lovesong, Goodwill Tlokwe, Outspoken, Lyrical Bacteria, Toto Mubenga, Moroka Moreri, Zwesh Fi Kush, Tautona, Juby Peacock, Kabo Leburu, Berry Heart, Idle and Spoken, Mista Poke, Thato Ntshabele, Messenger, to name but a few.

Onkemetse Ntwayakgosi, a spectator who is a self professed lover of the arts said, the finale delivered and that apart from entertainment, the event was motivational as most pieces were laden with messages that spoke to the soul.

 “Mr T’s opening act set a high standard for other artists and they did not disappoint either, just when you thought an act will be hard to follow, they showed creativity that mere spectators could not fathom”, she said.

She said she was especially moved by the performance of Lesotho’s Refiloe, whose performance touched on the muti killings that are occurring in her country and the moment of silence requested by Jazzelle following her act.

Another artist that never fails to live a lasting impression is Berry Heart. Her message this year was focused on raising awareness on feminist issues as she came on stage veiled by a makeshift banner which she tore through and she reiterated in her recitation that Berry Heart Poetry speaks for the voiceless.

The Department of Arts and Culture Deputy Director, Dean Molebatsi commended Poetavango for the work they are doing in pioneering this infant art form and said he sees them becoming a leading light in the creative sector. Ends