Speaking in mother tongues!

Maya Roze | Tuesday May 20, 2014 16:28

I have this crazy idea that I am writing an anthology of poems, short stories with a dose of sketches capturing the main theme of the book. When I had the idea, I told myself that I will write it for ten years and publish it in its tenth year (2004 was the year, e chaile mmata!). Then the laptop I was using, which was not mine crashed, but I was not disdainful or discouraged. I started again, advantage of being old school and having script books, you know writing on paper. Then I broke up with the laptop owner and it just became awkward seeing as he most probably deleted it or the person he gave the machine to deleted it. No actually I remember, the machine got stolen right in front of Central Police Station, another story for another blog. Lol. But seriously, I was ready, had a manuscript and approached Ngozi Chukura, who has mad skills in book design and publishing, let alone creative writing to be my backbone in the production of the project. By the way, it has past way beyond ten years *hides face in shame*

Ran into a friend of mine while scripting this conversation and he said that some old lady enlightened him about where the word ‘setswana’ comes from = ‘ba tswa hana, ba sia’. Lol. INSANE, RIGHT?!?!

Money always has a duo-dynamic, it either deters, cripples the situation or accelerates and manifests it. So for some dumb reason I thought I needed money. Little did I know that my doubt was the element delaying the realization of the anthology. I forgot to read. I forgot to perform my poems. To know them and I always sat there envying the greats such as Tj Dema, scolding myself and God, wondering why he blesses them and not me. When in reality, I was the hindrance that stood between me and my reality – ‘THE LIFE AND TIMES OF FLOWERS: LIPEO LE MELIYAMERE (SEEDS AND ROOTS OF THE EARTH).’ Cool title ne. I even thought it was long but it is reaaaally cool.

My point is as I stated when I began this dialogue, we need to read bafwethu. Talk and ask questions, empower yourself with knowledge, AND WITH THAT talented brain of yours selectively opt for information overload and use to its greatest benefit. Any project follows a generic lifecycle – production, marketing and communications, popularity and profit from creating demand. Did I mention that I love my slave job – my bosses are eccentric, ambitious and full of life, always pushing the team to be better than what they are each day. (I am a happy slave – paradoxically true). One of them always says you cant talk about how you don’t know anything when you can just google it. Riding on that point, we can’t keep procrastinating, hiding behind the idea of lack of information and resources. So since I am over it, I reckon you should be.

Are you writing a play, then take acting classes, writing classes, read about how to do everything so that your time is never wasted. They say black people do not know anything about hobbies – prove them wrong, black or white. Pick up anything in print, download it on your android and let us rise up as proud, young Batswana literates and shine.

We can no longer leave it to the greats such as Drea Chuma, TJ Dema, Tshireletso Motlogelwa, Molly Thokwana to actualize our dreams. Success becomes heavy, power corrupts and money blinds – so as they stand on podiums, representing us, ensure that you become a cultural ambassador. Run workshops, sell your stuff and share your success so that you can be like other stars in the gorgeous night sky and liberate yourself. You don’t see other stars in the sky sulking because one glimmers brighter than the other and well, I believe that is what we are – beautiful, gifted and eternally uniquely positioned to shine. For those looking up at us to make wishes, we can’t let them down by deciding to fade out in bitterness.

Ask me, I am a walking data-dome, and am more than willing to share my knowledge with all those that want to be dreamt of. Let me help you help yourself to the pot of gold that is knowledge.

LIVE FREE GROW OWN AND LOVE THE ART OF YOU!