Kopanang and Ketumile win poetry contest
Thalefang Charles | Tuesday July 7, 2015 14:36
Kopanang is the champion in the traditional category, while Ketumile scooped the first prize in the contemporary poetry.
The traditional poetry had four contestants being; Onkgopotse Mauel from Francistown, Kopanang from Kumakwane, Mopolapoko from Maun and Elizabeth Tlhokamolomo from Gantsi.
In the contemporary poetry, Ketumile was battling with Kealeboga Mosekiemang from Gaborone, Nametso Kgaileng from Tsabong and Batshidi Moeti from Maun.
All the traditional poets came with their ululating partners, which is a tradition in Setswana poetry.
Tlhokamolomo’s ululating performer shone brighter than her poet as she was dishing an amazing ululation that awed the audience. It was therefore not surprising that she came last in the competition.
Manuel from Francistown dubbed himself “lehipi la mmoki” but only came third with 116.5 points beaten by Mapolapoko who said he is “koko ya mokoko” with 117.5 points.
The winner, Kopanang, recited a poem about the message from his grandmother saying, “Ke romilwe ke mmemogolo”. The performance got him 120.5 points.
The poetry judges were Barolong Seboni, Moroka Moreri and Mandisa Mabuthoe. Speaking after the adjudication, the judges said they looked for originality, expression and stage presence among others.
The poetry competition was held together with Choral contest at Maitisong Theatre. The theme for the President Day’s Celebrations competition is “Towards artistic excellence in 2016”.