Wednesday, October 21, 2009

MANINI MOSEHLE

Even Angels Inhabit the Earth

One of Poetry Farm’s latest assets, known for her flat but mesmerizing voice, in this issue, we catch an interview with Manini Mosehle, and get her answering the questions that every poet has to answer in this column.

Q: First of all, who is Manini, and how do you define yourself in poetry?
A: Actually, poetry defines me! I like playing around with words. Creativity and playing around with words is my game.

Q: How would you define your poetry?
A: My poetry depends on the situation really. I’m not narrow-minded, so I write on everything.

Q: Otherwise, what is your definition of poetry?
A: A literature of motives and thoughts.

Q: When did you start writing poetry and what inspired you?
A: I started in 2003, inspired by Lebo Mashile.

Q: Since you started in 2003, what have been your experiences in poetry?
A: Well, it’s hard to get exposure, because many people are not interested in poetry.

Q: Who are your top three local poets, and international favourite?
A: Internationally it would be Lauryn Hill, and my top three local poets in random order would be, Dee, Sheila, and Lineo.

Q: Where do we see Manini 2 years from now?
A: having my own book, and known internationally!

Q: What achievements have you had in poetry?
A: Since 2004, I have won first price awards in all school competitions I have been in, since high school till tertiary, and won a trophy in one poetry competition held by UNICEF sometime back.

Q: And what would be your most outstanding performance thus far?
A: That would be the CRC 200gr8 Assortment Night (my first tertiary poetry competition), in 2008. It was phenomenal because it exposed me to my friends, both from school and home, who did know I had it in me. And hey, I won first prize (she laughs)! Again because it was God-based.

Q: What do you think of the state of poetry in the country and what do you think can be done to improve it?
A: People don’t take poetry that much into consideration, and I can guarantee that they are missing out on a whole lot. Again, the society does not have motivation for the upcoming poets and poetess’. To improve these, people should be more exposed to poetry, parents should motivate their children if they are interested in poetry. Moreover, government should be more involved, by funding poetically based functions, and some poetry institutions should be developed because the youth can be kept away from delinquency through poetry, whilst they are having fun.

Q: Last words:
A: To all people, poetry is fun, and those who know, they will agree, and those who don’t know, everything is worth a try, and for those with talent, work at your utmost ability to achieve potential… and to all Basotho, we need support!

Friday, October 16, 2009

SECHABA KEKETSI


The Verbally Possessed Lyrical Bacteria

Lesotho’s number 2 poet among the Lesotho’s top twenty poets, founder of the Letsibolo Poetry Project, Poetry Farm PRO… need we say more! He was born in Lesotho and given the name, Sechaba Keketsi, but because of his obsession with the art (poetry) he decided to give himself a name that defines his position and role in poetry. To the general public, he is known as Lyrical Bacteria, and this week, Poets’ Blog captures an exclusive interview with this phenomenal poet.

Q: Who is Sechaba and how would you define yourself in poetry?
A: A simple yet complicated person who is very much into poetry. Verbally possessed! I am a verbal graphic designer!

Q: When did you start poetry and what inspired you?
A: Back in 2001, I was given a challenge by my high school drama teacher to recite some poetry, and after my performance he was impressed by my skill and started giving me some of poems to recite. However, I hadn’t started writing then. I started writing in 2005 as Lyrical Bacteria, inspired by some local emcees like Core Wreckah, Fairo, and the whole lot. I actually started as an emcee, but my stuff was more on a poetry tip, hence I shifted to poetry.

Q: You are known to be in a lot of poetry projects, so for those who don’t know, can you tell us, which projects have you been involved in and which one is your most outstanding project?
A: My most outstanding project would be the Poets’ Paradise Male Poets Against Gender-based Violence, because of the unity seen among male poets to voice the opinions against gender-based violence, through their written poetry; and the response the project got from the media was overwhelming as well! The second project will be the Lestibolo Poetry Project (LPP), which I am working on with Ms Thokozani Motinyane. These project focuses on taking quotes from local poets putting them in one paper, and distribute them, and in that unite local poets.

Q: Being Lesotho’s number two poet in the Lesotho’s Top Twenty poets contest run last year, how did it make you feel?
A: First of all, it was humbling, because it showed that people appreciate poetry in this country, but I was saddened by the fact that some of my favourite poets were behind me. On the other hand, it gave me inspiration to continue, but continue with humility.

Q: So who would you say are your top international poets, and your top three local poets?
A: Ok, locally my top three in random order are, Ivy, Teboho Rantsoabe, and Thato Chobokoane, and internationally, we have, Mak Manaka, Napo Masheane, and Saul Williams.

Q: What do you think of the state of the state of poetry in Lesotho and what do you think can be done to enhance it?
A: It’s promising! It’s growing! To try to elevate it, I think more unity could help. The kind of unity that brings forth projects that make poetry take a forward leap in the country.

Q: What is your personal definition of poetry?
A: The reinforcing steel in me that prevents the inner complex me from crushing me down.

Q: What do you think is the role of poetry in society?
A: Let first start by saying this quote from the Tribute Magazine, it says, “a country without poetry is a country without soul”. The role of poetry to me goes beyond just about your feelings but goes to touching someone next to you, get them to think consciously and clearly. Again, poetry can serve as entertainment. Poetry is not just about sharing the serious and touching things, like abuse and stuff, but can serve as entertainment as well. Yah, those two would be the role of poetry in society according to me.

Q: Where do we see Lyrical Bacteria two years from now?
A: A very active poet in the Lesotho poetry sphere, and strong active member of the Poetry Farm.

Q: Last words…
A: Our days are like identical suitcases of all the same size. Some pack more into them than others, question is, how much can you pack yourself, when you’re not enthusiastic about what you do?

SHEILA KHALA


SHEILA KHALA
THOSE WHO HAVE WATCHED HER PERFORM WOULD SURE AGREE THAT SHEILA KHALA’S STAGE PERFORMANCE IS OVERWHELMING NOT TO FORGET THE UNIQUE AND CREATIVE RHYTHM SHE ENVELOPES HER POETRY IN. HAVING WON HERSELF A TOP TEN POSITION IN
THE LESOTHO TOP 20 POETS SHE PROMISES TO BE A POWERFUL VOICE OF THE VOICELESS THAN SHE IS ALREADY.POETS BLOG SET ASIDE ITS TIME TO BRING YOU THE PROFILE OF THIS SELF MOTIVATED AND COURAGEOUS POET. ENJOY.
Q: please let us know who Sheila is and when did she meet poetry?
A: Sheila is a 19 year old, God-fearing and calm girl. I started going public with poetry in 2007 after I emerged the winner in a poetry competition that was held by Miss PC fm 2007 in collaboration with Poetry Farm. One of the prizes was an opportunity to join Poetry Farm in some of its performances and eventually I was given membership into Poetry Farm.
Q: What is your persona definition of poetry?
A: Poetry is defining your feelings through a creative combination of carefully selected words that come from a different perspective you have about certain issues in life. It is the voice of the voiceless.
Q: Your local top three poets and international?
A: My local top three poets in random order are Liemo Monaheng, Lindelwa Xingwana and Lyrical Bacteria. Internationally I only have two, them being Napo Masheane and Tumi.
Q: What have you learned about being a member of Poetry Farm?
A: one important thing I have learned is Unity. We work as a unit because we are totally different but equally talented. All the Poetry Farm poets have their own unique brand of poetry and that in a way has shown and taught me to appreciate different poetry brands or styles as they come.
Q: who would you like to collaborate with in the local poetry sphere?
A: I really can’t say right now, I am not sure who I would choose.
Q: what are your views about the standard of poetry in the country?
A: Well I know a lot of people may not be optimistic about poetry but I generally think our poetry standard is growing. I guess it starts with poets believing in themselves and actually taking their time to perfect their art.
Q: You’re most memorable performances?
A: one of them has to be the performance I had at the Worship Explosion in 2007 where I actually got born again. The performance still lingers vividly in my mind. Other than that my other memorable performance was at Lehakoe this year when I did a piece in memory of the late Tiisetso Green (May her soul rest in peace). I managed to touch a lot of hearts with that performance and for me as a poet; touching someone emotionally like that says I was on point.
Q: with the Urban Poetry Buffet coming up next month what do you promise your fans?
A: (smiles) I never reveal but what people have to know is that I am capable and I will do my best to leave people to have something to take home, no one will leave empty handed!
Q: your goals with your poetry.
A: I want to see myself going international and most importantly being able to help younger talented poets. Other than that I sure will be doing a lot of recordings, nothing solid as yet.
Q: what do you think is the role of poetry in society?
A: it is the voice of the society, especially those who cannot speak for themselves.
Q: Your last words?
A: If you have a dream, go out for it and never look back. Most importantly remember that you have to work for your dream and don’t let anyone pull you down. Lastly always trust in God.

THE POETRY FARM FAMILY

THE POETRY FARM FAMILY
Poetry Farm has been going through a reconstruction phase and that means some of the poets you knew to belong to Poetry Farm have left and new members have been added. Currently the Poetry Farm is made up of seven talented poets namely; Pytur Mahase, Lineo Kolobe, Sheila Khala, Liemo Monaheng, Lindelwa Xingwana, Manini and Sechaba Keketsi. Below are exclusive interviews with these phenomenal poets. Enjoy.