Ralegatwane Nnaka: The grandson of Setswana poetry
Thalefang Charles | Friday October 10, 2014 16:22
To Mothusi Lerole (29) from Serowe, traditional Setswana poetry is not just another art form but a source of income. Ralegatwane Nnaka is his moniker and a ‘big monkey’ bark, “Bhoo! Bhoo!” shouted out in gusto to rapturous applause in his baritone signature sounds.
Arts & Culture met him as he mesmerised Bangwato at the Serowe Kgotla during Independence Day celebrations with his impressive Setswana lyrical prowess.
Clad in cow skins, brandishing a big cow horn headgear, a walking stick, small wooden stool and a cowbell, he walked on the stage barking like a “big monkey from Tswapong Hills near Ratholo”. Ratholo is the village where he said he inherited the Setswana poetry from his old grandfather and poet, Lebopo Tshenyego.
For a relatively young man, Ralegatwane has a sharp tongue and amazing wit as he uses deep Setswana expressions that had many old people at the Serowe kgotla unsure whether to ululate or boo him in shame.
In his enthralling poetry, he recited in the chorus saying, “Banna ke rata le rete, ke rata le reta ka kodu eseng kotswana, kana nna mokoba ke kitla ka kodu, eseng kotswana” (loosely translated, ‘Men, I want you to praise with a deep voice because I am tough and I praise with a deep voice’).
He continued with his poetic licence and touched on Bangwato’s revered son Seretse Khama and his then controversial marriage to Ruth Khama (nee Williams), telling the packed Kgotla that Seretse Khama was not only eyeing independence in Britain but a wife too. He says, “Heelang, golo kwa nere sa ela boipuso hela, leng kwane Seretse o gabile sengwe”.
He then traced his poetry inspired journey from the sounds of monkeys of Tswapong hills near Ratholo to Serowe to come and celebrate Independence.
In his poem he cheekily called on the organisers to share the independence meals with the children saying, “Bana le bone le ba kgaoganye le dirope, le dirope, le dirope, bana ba je le dirope, le nna ketle ke je serope”. And when the crowd got uneasy, unsure of which thighs he insinuated he shouted out his signature big monkey bark, “bhoo! bhoo!” followed by his cheeky chorus.
But on this Independence Day, his poem was not a celebratory piece as he said he was mourning for his departed poet partner Tumelo Tshwene. Tshwene committed suicide earlier in the month apparently because of love problems.
He touched on killings related to relationship problems saying, “La reng ka di polaano tsa marato? A re kgalemeng baga etsho. Mosadi ha a go tlhadile ya bo ekeng pitse e go ragile serope go rekiswa go etwa go ijelwa fela. Nna le nna ha o bona ke sena noka, ke etle ke iteke mme ere ke utlwa monate ke bo ke lesa! Bhoo! Bhoo!”
With that said he stunned the kgotla and lefy many lost in translation. Ralegatwane used his poetry to beg for condolences money for his partner and threatened not to leave the stage if the audience did not show him the money.
The appreciative crowd at the Kgotla rose from their chairs and dropped him notes and coins at his feet. He added: “A ere ke boka le seka la ntshwara ka tshega, ka ke ka tloga ka tsogelwa ka jela poko bokgoleng. Bokgola bo nkgobola ke sega tema ya botaki le ngwao.”
Arts & Culture caught up with Ralegatwane after his captivating recital while counting the condolences money. “I survive from this. I recite at school prize giving ceremonies, official events, bridal showers, and any event that needs poetry as entertainment. I can sing too,” he said. Ralegatwane does not write his poetry but does it like the old age poets who just improvised while on stage, depending on the events of the day.
He said he wishes to record his poetry, but he is still struggling with funding. He was a regional finalist during the President’s Day Competitions.