Inspired by granny�s stories
Thato Kala | Thursday February 13, 2014 20:00
But the seeds that had been sown around the home fires took the nurturing and persuasion from friends to sprout.
“Each time my friends saw the dirt I made on every paper I laid my hands on they were convinced poetry was definitely the way to go for me,” she says.
Katlholo says that at school she excelled in any presentation form.
The raw squiggles translated as poetry to her friends were enough to convince her she needed to join Botswana’s biggest poetry movement Poetavango.
Together with her cousins at the cattle post, they would gather around the fire and listen to her grandmother’s great stories.
She repeatedly talks of how grandpa used to poetically praise virtually everything on which their cultural sustenance depended, from rain to cattle.
Little did she know those were the first seeds to be planted on her fertile literary farm.
“He influenced me although not directly, it was something he instilled in me. He would praise everything – the trees and cattle.”
Perhaps that explains why she says God and his art inspire most of her writings.
“Everything in the universe was created by God, whether man-made, it was God-inspired. That is why I say my writings are inspired by the Almighty,” says Katlholo.
She mostly writes about gender-based issues but also touches on other critical life themes depending on what inspires her at that particular moment.
‘Tears For My Sister’ remains her favourite poem and she concedes having an attachment with the piece. It was about a young girl who was in an abusive marriage. After leaving her foul husband, she totally changes and looks like a grandmother.
She is aware the issue continues to affect many women and is convinced her poetry can make a difference.
The self-effacing poet is quite passionate about music and the power of the lyrics within. She gets a lot of inspiration from well-written Reggae and Country music lyrics.
“The late Lucky Dube remains my favourite musician. I was really touched when he passed away,” she says.
Her poetry expedition turned into a joyful adventure as she performed in every event that was organised by Poetavango. Priskath, as she is popularly known, considers being given the platform to perform in international events an honour and reinforcement of her talent.
She performed in all the editions of the Maun International Poetry and Literary Festival (MIPLF) and in the Hundred Thousand Poets for Change (100TPC).
“I was writing in my closet but they gave me a platform to share my poetry with people. They have given me space to perform and I have grown.”
Her utmost desire is the growth of poetry in Botswana. “Unless and until poetry has reached the apex of its progression, I will not retire from the written and spoken word.”
With organisations like Poetavango, Priskath believes that endeavours to improve poetry will be taken up seriously, just like what the music industry is doing with the ‘My Star’ competitions.
“The word is of utmost importance. It was there at the very beginning and promised to be there at the very end, who then can deny the importance of the word. We poets and other writers need to ensure that the word reaches the masses in every way possible. It’s our God given duty,” says the dutiful poetess.
Katlholo, a holder of an Associate Degree in Public Relations, joined Poetavango Spoken Word Poetry in the early months of 2010.
She picks Messenger (Morongwa Matsau) and Legodile ‘Dredd X’ Seganabeng as her favourite local poets while she has an affinity for South African Mzwakhe Mbuli’s work.
“I used to follow Mzwakhe quite a lot, but I have since shifted my focus to local poets.”
Her dream is to publish a book in poetry and short stories.