Book Review: DOORS to my EYES
WeekendLife
After a long struggle trying to meet with him, I finally caught up with him at a service station by Square Mart in the new Gaborone Central Business District (CBD) over the weekend. Wilson Ngoni finally gave me a hardcopy of his autobiography DOORS to my EYES ‘My journey through the corridors of Art’ – a non-fiction memoir that narrates his painful life that created a harder character in him.
He writes that he did not only discover fire, he invented it, reviewed by Staffer DAVID BAAITSE.
“My brushes don’t have bristles, they have lenses. My spirit is strong. My eyes are like God’s always watching. My experience is maturity. I promise to paint for the world and I shall keep my word. My studio is my heart. Let me paint” writes the man who have over the years earned himself the nickname Son of the brush, a man whose dream is to penetrate the mystery of life through painting.
This book talks about the unique artist created a Meleko trademark, his personal artistic culture, which he defines as his sacred spiritual condition. This, according to him, is a metaphysical meditation of a soul in which the mind of the insane characters whose blindness is unlimited in degree. Meleko is a deep persistence of painting aimed at producing new understanding and deeper levels of truth.
DOORS to my EYES is how Wilson Ngoni has seen life to be. He narrates how he used to be life’s punching bag. This is the man who has been in the world’s top five most abused children; top five of all times. It starts from his anecdotic birth at Masunga in Northeast Botswana, his brutal upbringing in neighbouring Zimbabwe and later returning to Botswana where he developed into the greatest artist he is right now painting Meleko.
This book is a key collection of answers to almost every question asked about him, how he failed to digest potatoes and how he managed to digest bananas. In his relation to the women, Ngoni could not hide his enthusiasm for a mother’s breast.
“I once survived only on the contents of the pair of breasts. God answered my embryonic prayers before I was born by creating breasts. Breasts are a legacy to this world, they are my herb,” he said.
His worst nightmare remained the society in which he lives in. In its constant attempts to estimate this enigmatic paradox, society tends to make principally incorrect mistakes in judging his character and behaviour. This, according to him, is a disorder; the society is blind.
Wilson Ngoni shares with the reader how life slowly goes away so fast and never gets back. His life journey has been like the sun in a single day, to rise from the dirty horizon, reach the apogee, and finally the grave will come. He says that when the cancer of time is eating him slowly and intensely, most do not notice his departure in few decades to come.
When he gave it to me, he also did not hesitate to warn me: “You know Dave, um very afraid, I received a call from an unknown family after one read this book, the person had a mental shock and is currently at Sbrana Hospital in Lobatse.”
I was a bit more conscious when reading the book not to end up there myself, but I can personally attest, this is a must read book with both emotions and feelings stretching to levels of elastic deformation.
Quote: Chapter 8; Mysteries of Life
“Most people are afraid to fart for they fear to shit their pants”. Risk. The steps we make in life always lead to either one of the two destinations, these being demise or glory. Life is clueless. Life is best conquered by fools who have good minds. A good mind is a brave mind.
Author: Wilson Ngoni
WeekendLife
Creatives taking over 2023
Creativity is seen everywhere and these individuals did something recently that’s never been done before, and some are still killing it. We see creativity on streaming platforms, stages, runways, social media and boardrooms even. Some of them are revamping their businesses, and lately, clothing sale is thriving.
They love concept-driven designs, storytelling and they bring fresh ideas and new perspectives that will leave footprints in the sand. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, these creative minds utilized the drawing board and they became cognizant that monetizing content will actually take them far, which is frank nonetheless.
This is commendable though, but the creative industry will still need support from government in order for it to flourish further. Allocation of resources (funds, facilities and empowerment) should be done consistently, creativity must be raised and at the end of the day, the economy benefits from that kind of investment.
HAN C
Ever since he parted ways with his former manager, DJ Bougee Sid, Mahalapye born-pint sized, multi-award-winning artist, Hanceford Magapatona has been taking up space, unapologetically so. Han C has shown a strong will to take over the entire world, and he is in the right direction. He’s solely organizing the annual Mahalapye Spring Festival, which is taking place next weekend.
The Pepetetsa hitmaker raked some monies from his savings to put together this event. Mahalapye Spring Festival will feature Paige, Ubuntu Band, Khoisan, Amantle Brown and Double Up among others. Even though it didn’t come as a surprise, Han C was nominated at African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) in the US, under Best Male Southern Africa category.
However, the award was snatched by the late South African rapper, AKA. Its not all lost as Han C secured two nominations at the Yarona FM Music Awards (YAMAs): People’s Choice of the Year and Best Male Single.
KOKETSO MOTSWAGOLE
This entrepreneur has turned his dreams into reality, and his promising apparel business is now a fashion destination. Matter of fact, Motswagole weathered the storms to be where he is now because through criticism and social media bullying, he still leads the pack in fashion.
His social media accounts got deleted but through his online store, KM Sales, Motswagole is able to rake in some profits. He initially started selling from his car but now owns a busy store and has employed a number of young people.
KM Sales has been offering fashionable items (shoes, t-shirts, pants) and has been participating in various lifestyle events such as Garden of Drip where it showcases its products.
If there is one young entrepreneur to draw motivation from is Koketso. The business started from humble beginnings, at the time when he worked part time at Ipelegeng as a casual labor. Indeed, good things come to those who wait, or well, work like a slave today, live like a king tomorrow.
KAGISO LUDO DE KLERK
Vee Mampeezy’s ex-wife Kagiso De Klerk clearly did not sit and weep over their dramatic divorce. The famous social media influencer hurriedly picked up the pieces and went hard on promoting business online. She literally took social media influencing to the head and it is working for her.
This year saw her partnership with Shell reach greater heights, and obviously, she is raking lot of pulas from the deal. Kagiso has been making frequent appearances in top events in South Africa such as Bubbles in Spring and Gold and Diamond Experience.
GAONA DINTWE
After a long break from the limelight, renowned media and radio personality, Gaona Dintwe is back. She was missed by many on TV, and she’s back where she belongs, news anchoring on BTV. Gaona has also found a niche in podcasting. She is a host of her own podcast, Gaona Live Conversation, where various people share their stories on camera.
Some of what they discuss is Gender Based Violence (GBV), polygamy and drug addiction. This is highly commendable because even BTV doesn’t have programs that discuss these crucial social issues. The Lentswelemoruti native is also seen in various corporate events where she is engaged as a host.
WeekendLife
DITIRO LEERO ONE MAN SHOW ON THE PIPELINE
Now that one-man shows are made fashionable, traditional dance guru and ex-convict, Ditiro Leero is joining the crusade and he will be hosting his also. The show will be held next month at Zone 4 Farm in Selokolela, but the there are traditional dance music artists who have been lined up to perform at the show. Matshana, Morwa Leka and Maswailathota will be doing their thing and probably bring some heat too. Ditiro Leero will be making history as the first traditional artist to host a one-man show in Botswana.
WeekendLife
MISS BOTSWANA HAVING MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE
With only two months before Miss World 2023, the reigning Miss Botswana, Lesego Chombo is having many irons in the fire, preparing for the much-anticipated beauty pageant. Miss World 2023 will be the 71st edition of Miss World pageant and it will be held in India. Chombo has been spotted toning her body at Jack’s gym, a requirement that is taken seriously at the pageant. She has also been participating in charity events, something that should add to her profile at the Miss World.