Ntire takes up folklore poetry

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday January 27, 2025 14:45

In some instances, some do not even know their native language and they see nothing wrong with that and live a carefree life. However, that is not the case for Israel Ntire who has decided to retrace his steps and deviate from the norm. His journey has landed him in poetry. The young poet from Mmadinare, whose stage name is Ntire Nkoborwane, is a traditional poet who does praise, educational and entertaining poetry. In an interview with Arts&Culture, he pointed out that he started poetry when he was still in junior school.

He said he grew up in an urban life setup as both of his parents were government employees and therefore, he spent his whole life in the city and towns. “I did not go to cattle posts or lands like other kids when I was young so when I met people who used to go there, I wanted to also experience it so that I could fit in. I had a friend called Boemo Kebafitlhetse from Lekgolobotlo, who was brilliant in traditional poetry. He could recite poems about cattle and divination (throwing bones), I wanted to be like him. One thing I always had was confidence, so when there was a talent show at school I took the microphone and started reciting my friend’s lines and people loved it. I kept doing it until I finished my Form 5,” he said proudly. He explained that after completing his BGCSE, he decided to register for Constituency Arts Competitions where he excelled.



From 2014 to 2020, Ntire said he won poetry competitions in Francistown and Mogoditshane. However, this talented poet pointed out that being a poet was not easy at first because, unlike others, he was not born with it but had to learn how to recite. He added that he was more of a reciter than a writer. When he wanted to be a professional poet, he said he met one Decider Joba, a very good writer who wrote him beautiful poems while all he had to do was recite them. Despite all of this, he said the feedback he got from the public had always been positive, even from fellow poets. Ntire was part of the Black African Poets and has worked with different local poets the likes of Joba, Lame Pusetso, and Emmanuel Boefelo. Even though the feedback from the public was good, he said they still faced challenges as local poets. He said they were not appreciated enough when it comes to payments adding that their biggest employer was the government as they got satisfying payments.

However, he said the criteria for hiring a poet hindered many poets from performing at government events, so they ended up settling for those that do not pay well because of circumstances. “My memorable performance is when I performed at the South African State Theatre with Mophato Dance Theatre. My Favourite local poet is Bonnie Manuel while my favourite international poet is Bandile Magibili. I have not published any book because I am more of a performer than a writer,” he ended.