16 Apr 2026

Award winning storyteller and writer, Lebogang Mogotsi is organising the  first Molepolole International Book Festival (MIBF). The event is slated for April 25 at the Village Gate mall in Molepolole.

Mogotsi said the unveiling book festival will celebrate writers around the world who are shaping culture and inspiring readers through their works.

She said the debut MIBF will be held under the theme: Galaxies of Stories, Rewriting Tomorrow and aimed at fostering a vibrant culture of reading and writing by connecting readers directly with authors.

Mogotsi said the book festival would also create a platform where literacy diversity was celebrated as well as promoting local storytelling.

She said in an era where the reading and culture had been dwindling over the years, the festival would bring readers and writers together to share their stories and inspire one another.

The award winning author, who is also the director of Dinaletsana Tsa Botswana Children’s Writing Alliance said was dedicated in working with children, conserving and preserving Botswana’s rich cultural heritage among young people.

Mogotsi said the book festival would therefore bring writers under one roof where they network and sell their work to people.

She further said the event would feature a panel discussion on writing, where celebrated writers both locally and internationally would take centre stage.

She added that young writers will get an opportunity to meet heroic writers. Mogotsi has extended the invite to school going children and parents.

“Children get inspiration from seeing younger writers showing their work and that can ignite their passion for writing. Authors are like prophets, they speak that which is communicated to them in their mind, and put it on paper to be read by everyone,” she said.

Mogotsi added that some authors have long died but their work continue to be celebrated and inspire many in a positive way, as a legacy has been left behind and the world will continue to cherish and enjoy great authors.

Mogotsi has appealed to sponsors to render all the necessary support and turn the book festival into a memorable event. ENDS