Game on at Setswana Poetry awards
WeekendLife
The country’s first Setswana Poetry Awards are set to completely change the scene on the ground. Organisers of the show believe that poetry as an art has been, by far and large overshadowed by other art forms in terms of being used to promote social dialogue.
Dubbed Single Man’s Act Poetry Event, the award night will see a first for Setswana poetry, organizer, Moreri Moroka’s poem, “Lesutlha” will be presented to audiences in Braille, Sign language and Animation.
Says Moroka, “For now my funny poem Lesutlha will be sampled, it will be animated, presented in braille and sign language to invoke feelings and extend the excitement to people with hearing and vision disability.”
The renowned Setswana poet said that the poem has always gotten audiences excited and he wants that excitement to be experienced by everyone. The animation aspect, he said, was a way of including Setswana poetry in technology as a way of luring the youth into the performing art and ensuring that it’s spread across board.
An advocate for the inclusion for people with disabilities in poetry, Moroka told Weekend Life that culture has been too silent when it comes to the rights of people living with disability. “People living with disability have been sidelined for far too long and they deserve to actively participate in the art, I want to advocate for their inclusion,” he said.
At the inaugural awards event 17 Setswana poets whose art and talent have not been recognized in the history of Botswana will be awarded certificates and trophies to honor and celebrate them. South African renowned poet, Mzwakhe Mbuli will also be honoured at the event.
During the build up to the awards, according to Moroka, on the 23rd, there will be a workshop for poets and aspiring poets, where facilitators including lexicographer Prof Thapelo Otlogetswe among others will present to participants on various topics on poetry. The workshop, Moroka said, will be a tool to motivate poets across the board. He said that though the events were mainly conceived with Setswana poetry in mind, the workshop will be open to all poets, regardless of the language they write in.
Among the pre-show events will also be the launch of Poetry clubs that are meant to see through another of Moroka’s vision, the inclusion of youth in poetry writing, as a way of preserving culture. Already, two clubs have been established at Nanogang JSS and at the Tlokweng SOS village. The launch will be on April 19th at Nanogang JSS.
Further, on the 30th April from 0900hrs-1200hrs at the Limkokwing Hall, a book fair will be held, where renowned writers will share their experiences and encourage the youth to write poetry and any other literature. Moroka revealed that, already he had confirmation that several poets and writers from South Africa will attend the book fair.
He said that already, from South Africa, he has received confirmation that two buses were already booked full, as interested parties from that country will attend the awards ceremony. “The media from South Africa will be here, from Namibia as well. Mzwakhe will be here, Charles Matlou from Motsweding Fm as well as Prof Matsila will all be here to receive awards,” he said.
Moroka is planning an overhaul. Other than wishing for financial strength to make the awards an annual event, the Setswana passionate poet wants Setswana poets to be honoured in various ways, not only through awards and trophies. He disclosed that, should they find long term sponsorship, he plans to include a monetary prize in future. He wants to one day have a hall of fame, solely dedicated to honouring poets in their own right. Their portraits will be put up and statues of them erected so that younger generations will grow up knowing them. At their hall of fame, research carried out about them will be put up for everyone to see.
He also wants to honour poets who have already passed on, “We want to buy tombstones for them so that people see that, here lay heroes.”
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Dr Lame Pusetso comes to writer’s rescue
Multi award winning author of fifteen (15) books, Dr Lame Pusetso has put together a platform to empower local writers. Dr Pusetso is a President and Chairperson of the Executive Board of Kasapa Society.
She is also the Managing Director of Poeticblood Publishers and an owner of an online bookstore dubbed Mind and Soul Bookstores. Dr Pusetso has reiterated her commitment to helping upcoming authors, writers and poets in establishing their crafts and capitalizing on them.
In an exclusive interview this week, she said that she has put together a platform dubbed Botswana Literature Awards, which have fourteen categories.
When quizzed on what the awards stand for, Dr Pusetso said “writing as a form of art in Botswana is a skill that many have and have always been exploring. As a publisher, I have met different writers from all walks of life and some indicating that there isn’t enough motivation to keep going.”
In Botswana and according to the writer, there has been a limited representation of appreciation of authors. This is despite their efforts year in year out.
The whole intention of these awards really is to honor and recognize the hard work that local authors put in, when doing what they know best (writing).
“This is a way of appreciating their creativity and we will be doing this across all genres. The awards also act as a motivational tool to young writers who still have dreams of becoming best selling authors. Quite frankly, their works are of great importance and we cannot afford to let that slide like that.”
Dr Pusetso emphasized that all the winners will walk away with an award, a certificate and complimentary gifts to take home. “The two winners of Best Overall Author and Best Young Author will in addition receive book publication deals which includes book distribution and marketing for a year.
She gave a clearer picture of how authors can be a part of the literature awards.
“The awards are open to every author from the age of 7, must be a Motswana, and their book should have been published before or by 2022. For authors with more than one book, they are allowed to compete with only one book for one category, and different books for different categories.”
The young writer pinned hope on institutional collaborations, in order to stage the second edition of the awards next year, saying “We believe with these awards, the different institutions and stakeholders will show interest in helping nurture the literature scenario in Botswana.”
“It will also give authors hope and light to keep writing and penning down their stories for the benefit of all. We anticipate to host the next edition in 2024 with assistance from all interested parties.”
THE LITERATURE AWARDS CATEGORIES
Dr Pusetso stressed that there are fourteen (14) categories, and they are: Religious or Faith Based Book, Poetry Book, Children’s Book, Multi-lingual Writer, Best Collaboration, Setswana Novel, English Novel, Motivational Book, Best Young Author (7-13), Overall Best Author, Best Theory, Best Online Writer, Best Media Writer (Honor Award) and Honor Award (Long Serving Best Author).
EXPLAINING SPECIAL AWARDS
Best Media and Honor Award, Dr Pusetso said are not based on submissions but nomination by the committee. “For Honor Award, we want to appreciate the individual who has inspired the Botswana writing scenario over the years and even assisted numerous authors as both a writer and a community leader.”
The Best Media Writer award is meant to appreciate a journalist who is actively taking part in appreciating and helping authors in marketing, advertising and affording them a platform to showcase their works through their writing skills.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Literature Awards will be held on the 29th April and they are partially sponsored through the literacy grant. This is a grant under the Botswana National Library Services which falls under the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sports and Culture.
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Women’s Awards hit the ground running
The second edition of the much-anticipated Women’s Awards Botswana will be going down on the 27th May 2023 in Gaborone at Travel Lodge. The organizers of the prestigious awards have announced finalists, with three nominees per category.
Women’s Awards Botswana is established to empower women and celebrate them from all walks of life and across sectors. The awards raise awareness for women to be granted equal participation, particularly in decision-making positions, as one way of breaking the gender bias.
They also seek to celebrate the outstanding achievements of women from diverse industries in Botswana. Taking a closer look at the categories, He for She award celebrates and shines a light on men who stand and support women.
These are men who advocate for inclusion of women, men who stand against GBV and men who promote any service that can better women life. Her Abilities award looks into women who have shown determination to keep moving and achieve any goal they have set for themselves, regardless of their disability.
Other awards are self-explanatory. They celebrate women in arts, culture and entertainment, agriculture, creativity, innovation and technology, tourism and hospitality, community impact as well as organization supporting women.
ORGANIZER SPEAKS ON CRITERIA USED
When speaking in an interview, Founder and Director of Women’s Awards Botswana, Bofelo Zebe, said in their first edition, they had fifteen categories, which was enough for a piloting project.
“But we left out many industries or lines of work. After the event, we received reviews and suggestions, and there was an intensive evaluation that led to us increasing the categories to eighteen for this second edition.”
He said the nominees were voted in by the public, adding that the finalists were judged by a panel with the support of votes from their supporters.
When shedding light on what winners take home, Zebe indicated that there is an award trophy, certificate and goodie bags for all categories but “we are working to have financial sponsors jump on board so that winners and nominees can receive monetary incentives. We are also busy at work trying to retain our previous sponsors.”
THE 2023 WOMEN’S AWARDS BOTSWANA NOMINEES
HE FOR SHE AWARD
Desmond Lunga, Tlhabo Kgosiemang and Christopher Seagateng
BEST WOMAN IN ARTS, CULTURE AND ENTERTAINMENT
Ditshupo Mosoboloko, Thanolo Keutlwile and Seneo Mabengano
HER ABILITIES AWARD
Koketso Seleke, Goabo Kgasa and Mumsie Odirile
SPORTS WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Naledi Marape, Ouname Mhotsha and Keamogetse Kenosi
WOMAN FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Montle Rantatana, Lesedi Matlapeng and Trudy Bakwena
BEST WOMAN IN AGRICULTURE
Nomathemba Masuku, Basadi Molelekeng and Keolebogile Keabetswe
BEST WOMAN IN CREATIVITY, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY
Marang Mbaakanyi, Didintle Moreki and Thandeka Palai
BEST WOMAN IN TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
Masego Keleadile, Wapula Matshambane and Tshepo Phokoje
YOUNG WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Bridget Gothaang, Waone Makobo and Kimberly Matheakgomo
WOMAN OWNED SME BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Suits Africa, Nomlu Nail Bar and Sunflower Desserts
BEST WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS
Prezlin Clothing and Dawn Bell Academy
FEMALE MUSIC ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Mpho Sebina, Dato Seiko and Priscilla K
BEST ORGANIZATION SUPPORTING WOMEN
Sekao Foundation, The Fighters Support Group and Single Mothers Living with HIV
BEST WOMAN WITH COMMUNITY IMPACT
Lebopo Bulayani, Nanzelela Chaitezvi and Kebadile Wasenda
MEDIA WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Poppy Sello, Keikantse Shumba and Kedi Lezozo
FAVOURITE PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Marang Selolwane, Palesa Molefe and Masi Sithole
BEST WOMAN IN LEADERSHIP
Naseem Lahri, Neo Bogatsu and Lily Rakorong