LIATILE MOHALE
Her mature style in poetry makes her run afloat many of our young local poets. She has won a standing ovation in many of her performances and years she spent doing poetry an-all-so-ran, but she’s evolved with time and earned her a seat among Lesotho’s top 20 poets. We interview today Liatile Dee Mohale, teacher by profession, embracing poetry as a passion.
Q: please tell us about yourself.
A: Liatile Mohale is an artist. I am from a theatre background and that should say I am very much involved in theatre and poetry. I guess I got my love for poetry from my mother because she is also a poet.
Q: so when did you meet poetry?
A: well I am not really sure of the age but I was in secondary doing form B. It so happened that at one time I was feeling moody and hence needed a quick outlet in which to pour out my feelings so a pen and a paper came handy and so I found myself into poetry.
Q: now how would you describe your poetry?
A: WOW! That’s an interesting question. Well my poetry is but a description of myself, how I perceive things and hence I never go an extra mile to include techniques I am not into like rhyming and many more. In as much as I draw my inspiration from a number of poets I always stay real to myself.
Q: your top three local poets?
A: in random order I have Poetry Farm’s Lineo Kolobe, Mpho Sefali because unlike many poets Mpho doesn’t have the bad tendency of dwelling on complacency. Whenever she wants to do something she goes ahead and does it despite circumstances. Lastly I have Lyrical Bacteria. Unlike most of us he brings forth his poetry in the rich mother language and hence adding to our poetry sphere a different yet necessary flavor.
Q: And your international three poets?
A: As for international poets I really don’t have any specifics. I guess whichever international poet I come across and happen to love what they have to offer sort of becomes my favorite.
Q: what is your perspective about our local poetry is poetry getting enough media attention and support from the people?
A: yes we do have the support from the people although it is unfortunate that a certain section of people (part of our media) who would help us elevate our poetry try to bring us down. At one time I was saddened by an article from a local newspaper which somehow suggested that we (Basotho hip hop musicians and poets) seem to be acting as if we are Americans for in our work we somehow use English more than we use Sesotho and such a suggestion was totally out of line. I mean if a certain group of Basotho feel that famo music does it for them not all of us will be entertained by that. Our using English language in our poetry cannot suggest that we are neglecting our cultures whatsoever. If poetry is the portal and medium with which Basotho youth feel they can best express themselves then let it be so. Despite such unfortunate people the truth is the media is very supportive.
Q: have you ever collaborated with any poet?
A: oh no I haven’t and I don’t really have a particular reason why I have not, but if I were to collaborate with any poet I think it would have to be Montśo ‘Mollotsi. This is because when I started writing poetry he was there to inspire me and I would likewise inspire him.
Q: do you think we need more poetry groups in the country?
A: we don’t necessarily need more poetry groups rather what we need to do is focus on improving what’s already in existence. This is to say let us pay heed to minor things like styles of poetry and stage management our groups offer. In this manner we will be able to attain growth.
Q: Your last words?
A: my advice to every poet in the country is that let us stop sleeping on the bed of complacency. If we continue to hold on to complacency then I am worried our future as artists in general will not be that clear.