Ramookane: A true poet
Teichler Rankoa | Friday August 22, 2014 12:00
Ramookane gave a sterling performance, ensuring that he adds the old traditional poetry, and being a senior citizen, the audience expected a lot from him. It was very interesting to see that the competitions experienced notable improvement in the poetry section. Participants came prepared to inform the audience and the judges with their messages. They did not disappoint, as the audience cheered them to show their appreciation, while the judges had a tough time selecting a winner.
As expected, Ramookane recited a poem titled Dinotshi Tse Di Mo Seolong. He charmed his listeners, while at the same time presenting a challenge for the judges who were too young to understand his style of poetry.
While busy tallying their marks, the audience had made their choice as they screamed, “dinotshi, dinotshi, madala, madala.”
The judges told the audience and participants that the competition was tough as all the participants came prepared for the battle. They added that all the contenders were good, but Ramookane set himself apart by showcasing originality.
“He was so unique, had a strong and clear messages for us, therefore he is our winner,” said one of the judges.
Ramookane pocketed P10,000. The Gasita-born poet told Arts & Culture that he has never received formal training in poetry.
He said he developed an interest in poetry after listening to old poets, while he was still a boy of sixteen years herding goats and cattle. “I loved livestock, more especially cattle, and would recite poems praising them,” stressed Ramookane. He said at the time Kanye had good and talented poets among them the legends Sekokotla Kabyamodimo, Motswakgala Sealetsa and Motlogelwa Bantu, who inspired him to take his poetry seriously.
His poetry resembles that of legends such as Ponatshego Mokane, Debeleserk Pilane and Jonas Koronje Moremi. He explained that his rodel models are the Bangwaketse old men who he grew up listening to. His poems articulate what is right or wrong about Setswana culture. He explained that it is important for one to know their roots.
“In the past we were taught that if one wants to pass a message to other people, it was done through poems. Poetry was the foundation of the nation; a nation is built through the word,” Ramookane said. Ramookane said he is a true speaker who uses spoken word to build the nation they way he wants it to be.
“When reciting a poem I have the freedom to portray what they see and feel, and also have a choice to convince them about what to feel,” he said. Ramookane said that his poems are not written, but just automatically when something happens. “I dont write my poems, I just recite poems depending on the situation before me,”noted the poet.
He said the nation needs true and original poets with various styles who can seriously praise or critique issues affecting society, without fear or favour.
Ramookane also tola Arts &Culture that he has been doing and reciting poems around Ga-ngwaketse welcoming and praising visitors and presidents like Sir Ketumile Masire, Festus Mogae and Ian Khama.
He said unfortunately some poets believe that poetry is just about praise, “they dont know what a poet is. If one needs to be a true poet, he or she should know a lot about day to day life and also about people,”said the old man
Ramookane suggested that government should help nurture poets by running workshops, which bring the young and old poets together.
He emphasised that many young people must take poetry seriously, explaining that poets should strive for originality and quality.
“Don’t think of money first, but think about your message to the people. Always fight for quality,” Ramookane said.