A night of poetry at Ko Gae Cafe

CHIPPA LEGODIMO
Correspondent | Tuesday September 7, 2010 00:00

On Saturday, the Kanye Performing Arts group hosted a night of poetry at this venue and although only a small crowd pitched up for the show, the youngsters left the venue happy that they had been given another opportunity to showcase their talents; and sensitise people about traditional tswana poetry.

The group director and one of the poets Osenotse 'Slash' Mabote told Showbiz over the weekend that the whole idea was to promote local poetry and sensitise the youth in particular about its role in contemporary society.

However, he noted that the newly formed group was not only focusing on poetry but that it was only the starting point.  'Like our theme 'Unfolding the Scroll' we are trying to unearth hidden talent.  A scroll normally keeps valuable information and it is dying a slow death and we need to act before it is too late. Later we will include things like dance, hand guitar, flutes and drama,' Mabote said.  'This was our second performance here.  We chose Ko Gae Caf because a lot of people who come here are tswana cultural enthusiasts.  But that does not mean we will only confine ourselves to one place.  In future we intend to expand to other places because the whole idea is to reach as many people as possible,' he said.

The seven-member group comprises of Mabote, Calvin Motseotsile, Tsholo Motswagae, Tumelo Bonang, Edward Mookodi, Tshepo Phetong and Tshepo Gagonakgosi.  Mabote, who says his love for poetry has been growing over the years, told Showbiz that he drew inspiration from popular yesteryear tswana poets like Sekokotla Kaboemodimo as well as Ponatshego Mokane.

'Because I personally like poetry in general I have been following Americans, Daniel Betty and Shanell Gabriel as well,' Mabote said.  The youngster said that he was still inviting some older traditional poets to help him in his initiative.

'As for these other activities it is not difficult to get people, but traditional tswana poetry is scarces.  People who do it in such a rich language are few and in most cases they are older people; so we need to get them on board so that we can learn from them,' he said.