Setswana poetry to promote culture

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Thursday March 2, 2017 15:42

He said this when calling out to Africans, more especially Batswana, not to forget their roots.

In 1970 Seretse called on Africans to “discover and write their own history” to overcome “the racist insistence that the past of Africa was a worthless blank, waiting for Europeans”.  Today, Maruping Poetry Organisation is one of the few clubs that have heard the president’s call and adhered to his plea.  The club aims to promote Setswana culture through poetry in an event dubbed Maruping Go A Boelwa.

The club’s chairperson, Keabonye Bareeng told Showbiz that her love for Setswana started when she was young. She pointed out that many poetry groups have turned a blind eye on promoting the language and therefore she decided to intervene by hosting the event.

“I have realised that all the poetry clubs are mainly focused on merely reciting their poems in English, as a result our beautiful and rich Setswana language is slowly perishing.  Maruping Go A Boelwa is mainly focused on promoting Setswana culture through poetry, traditional dance and song.  I don’t want our beautiful language to die with us.  I want our children to learn it and be proud of their native language,” she said.

Maruping Go A Boelwa will host its first show on March 17, 2017 at Thapong Visual Arts Centre.  Bareeng said they invited some of the most talented Setswana poets and traditional song and dance crews.  Some of the local talent that will perform on the day includes Moroka Moreri, Tsikitsiki Ke A Gotela, Zaster, William Mmutle, Bonni Manuel, Khumagadi ya Poko, Gorata Ntshwabi, Abigal MoreGrace Pule, Ramatlao, Mochana Motswasele, Solly Sebotso and many others.

Tickets will be sold at Thapong for P100 and the event will start at 6pm till midnight.