Ithabeleng "Black Diamond" Nthabane

Ever since female poets made their presence in the local poetry sphere felt with the likes of Poetry Farm’s Lineo Kolobe being on the front line more talented and creative female poets have come through to exhale to the poetry community what their hearts and creativity possess. In this issue Poets Blog brings you the love story between Black Diamond and poetry.

Q: Tell us about Black Diamond and when you started poetry?
A: Black Diamond is basically Ithabeleng Nthabane, an individual who got into poetry somewhere between 2002 and 2003 but did not go public with it until 2005 when I was invited to the Ultimate fm invited by Deeva.

Q: What actually attracted you to poetry?
A: I can’t really say what attracted me but what I know is that I had always liked poetry I was rather inspired to start writing poetry by Lineo Kolobe. We were in the same school with her and this other time she did a very fabulous performance so that is when I realized I could also make it as a poet.

Q: Having mentioned that you were inspired by Lineo Kolobe, who is your top three local poets and your favorite poets?
A: Internationally it has to be Lebo Mashile (not saying she is the only one I know) and locally I rather have four, namely; Swagger, Lineo Kolobe, Lyrical Bacteria and Refiloe.

Q: So, how do you choose to define poetry?
A: For me poetry is a spiritual gift, something you are born into and that you can use as therapy or remedy to a certain state of mind. You utilize it in moments of great sadness and even when you are happy, which ever state of mind you are into.

Q: What keeps you inspired as a poet?
A: Life. It is the experiences I go through in life that keep me going and keep my pen in constant movement.

Q: Has Black Diamond performed her poetry live?
A: Yes I have a number of times. At the Poetry Farm Poetry Buffet last year in June, at the Z-Digi’s mix tape launch in May and well at the Ultimate fm on Miss P’ poetry corner.

Q: Do you think you have grown poetically, as in content wise?
A: I have definitely grown. Back then when I started I was really immature you know I wrote mostly about fantasies but later on when growing I realized that there are more meaningful issues worth writing about and especially women issues although not saying I am a feminist.

Q: Who would you like to collaborate with and why?
A: I am planning to collaborate with Swagger because he is one of the energetic male poets and he is replete with sheer creativity. Also with Refiloe and Lineo Kolobe because I think they are poetically given and are strong female poets. Lastly Lyrical Bacteria because I like his style especially how he constructs his poetry in vernacular, so I would like to learn a thing or two from him.

Q: So do think collaborations are necessary in poetry?
A: They are very necessary. I think it is very difficult to taste success alone, I mean we need to work with each other. We cannot ignore the talent and creativity residing in each of us, hence I think collaboration is more of a laboratory where we meet as poetic scientists and brew growth for poetry.

Q: Where do you see Black Diamond in about two years from now?
A: I see myself having explored a lot of avenues, like fusing poetry with music and having done a lot of collaborations and anything that could bring growth to art in general in the country.

[ADAPTED FROM THE WEEKLY MAIL VOL.02 NO. 41 21-27 APRIL 2009, POETS BLOG ]

Amohelang Kosene

Hear her recite and you will to be compelled to clothe yourself in attires of silence and concentration. The beauty of the poetry she exhales definitely matches her brown beautiful African body and sweet voice. Proud of her roots her performance shines with confidence. Poets Paradise this week brings you the interesting profile of this young emerging female poet.

Q: Please tell us about yourself.
A: Well, I am a Mosotho girl who was born and bred in this country. Amohelang is currently doing her second year of Law at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). I come from a family of two, my mum, who is a single parent, and I. I believe I am a friendly person naturally. Very polite, I laugh a lot so I guess that normally puts people at ease around me.

Q: What got you into poetry (what did you find special about it out of all art forms)?
A: I chose poetry because all I need is pen and paper to put down how I feel. With arts like drawings and paintings, you won’t always have the needed material. Instruments are also ok but you don’t want to be thinking about that harp or guitar you forgot at home or had to leave. As much as I also like drama, it has a lot of complexities, like expressing the writer’s view and not my own. So poetry was more like my escape route.

Q: What inspired you to start writing? (When did you start?)
A: The primary school I went to offered art in many forms so I guess I started at quite an early age, but it was just for fun and just as part of my schoolwork then until I noticed I really love writing. This I realized when I got to high school. It did not offer art but I still wrote poems, though I slowed down a bit because of other activities I took (basketball and debate), I still loved the feel of pen moving on paper. I normally get inspired by how I feel at that particular moment. Pain, bliss, confusion, love, dislike (for anything), joy, I just normally write according to how I feel about me or the next person, object or situation.

Q: What is your definition of poetry and how does it define your poetry?
A: My definition of poetry is “HOME”. This is where you feel most at ease in and within your thoughts. This is where you feel relaxed and there is no one to snatch the peace within you because you can express exactly (or rather close to) how you feel or what you think without any judgment especially if you do not show your piece to anyone. Like I said, I write according to my relevant emotions at that particular time, so poetry is home for me to say exactly what I want when I want. I could say my home in this context is rather personal and that’s how my poetry is.

Q: What were the challenges you faced during infant stage as a poet?
A: Hahaha! Well, I got rather intimidated by a lot of things. I could say the stage and my audience basically. I was always wondering whether people would understand the message I am trying to portray without any sugar-coating or intensifying of what is presented before them. So I could say the main challenge I faced was coming out of my cocoon.

Q: Where has Amohelang performed thus far?
A: Like I said, I got rather intimidated by my audience to-be; my first and only performance thus far was at the Valley Breeze(season 3) that was hosted by Poetry Farm at NUL.

Q: Who are your local top three poets and your international top three poets?
A: My local top three poets are Lineo Kolobe, Lerato Brown and Nuch. Internationally I love Lebo Mashile, Lesego Rampolokeng and Wayne Visser.

Q: Has Amohelang ever collaborated with any poet? (If so who and why did you collaborate with the said poet/if not who do you look forward to working with and why)
A: Nope, she hasn’t collaborated with any poet. I would love to work with Lineo Kolobe, she inspires me a lot. She is actually one of the people who encouraged me to audition for the Valley Breeze after she saw my other pieces, also helped me pick the one to perform that night. So if one of the best poets in Lesotho actually called my work “a master piece”, I thought to myself, “Why not?”

Q: Do you think poetry is getting the appreciation and attention it deserves in the country?
A: On some level yes, but not fully. I cannot deny the fact that it is being recognized and growing at a rather acceptable rate. I am still waiting for international competitions where the country can actually sponsor poetry and send our poets overseas like other sports. By international I do not mean South Africa, I mean, international. Then I would say poetry is getting the attention it deserves.

Q: Where do you see yourself in two years?
A: In two years? Still pursuing my studies. Having performed at more functions and being recognized as one of the growing (or mature) poets in the country.

Q: Now poetry aside, any special man in your life?
A: [smile] well….. Am I allowed not to answer that?

Q: Your last words?
A: I always say to people, “Always be yourself, there is no one who can master that profession better than you can.” If you feel you have what it takes to do or be someone, use it, because even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there. You are the only person who thinks in your mind, therefore, you are the power and authority in your own world. Life is too short not to live it fully, and if you live it fully, you will not be scared of death because you know that you have done your part on this earth. Love your life and appreciate those who help you become a better person, but most of all, we should not forget that we stand tallest on our knees, pray as though God about to go away and you need to talk to Him ASAP. He is our brawn afterall.

Moretlo "Drizzle" Likate

Our local poetry sphere is graced with fearless poets who speak their mind right away; one such is Moretlo ‘Drizzle’ Likate. Enclosed in a shell of sheer creativity this young mature female poet exhales poetry that stems from a very critical analysis of our society. If love poems, praise poems and controversial poems tickle you, then Drizzel is the right poet to listen to. Poets Blog gathered all there is to know about her, enjoy your journey through the interview.

Q: Please tell us about yourself?
A: well Drizzel is a young mature woman who has been doing Poetry for the last four years and I just consider myself a lyricist.

Q: So when did you start writing poetry and who inspired you to be in the poetry family?
A: I started writing in 2003 back in high school. I was inspired by one Teboho Rantsoabe (one of the best poets in the country I must say), actually he introduced me to poetry and taught me everything I know about poetry. After being injected with the inspiration I wrote my first piece and lucky for Mr. Rantsoabe liked it and that was I when I started writing extensively.

Q: What is your definition of poetry?
A: Self expression.

Q: You’re top three local poets and your top three international poets?
A: I know you asked me to give my top three but please allow me to give top four, them being; Lineo Kolobe, Black Diamond, Lyrical Bacteria and Nuch . Internationally I will go for Kgafela oa Magogodi, Jill Scott and lastly Mac Manaka.

Q: In your six years as a poet do you think poetry has crown in the country?
A: Poetry has grown and it is continuing to grow although I am not sure if the direction it is taking is a desirable one. Nowadays you have so many people doing poetry and sometimes as a poet you ask yourself if all this people have poetry at their heart or they are just in it because they realize that the in the near future poetry might be one of the biggest art forms in the country which might turn out to be profitable or something around those lines.

Q: Having said poetry is growing how do you think you can fuel the success of poetry in the country?
A: I think the best thing I can do is to improve my own craft as an individual poet, in that way I will be doing my role of inspiring more poets. Doing a lot of performances will also help fuel the success of poetry in the country, because what I write about is true life stories not something out of the blue.

Q: Has Drizzel ever collaborated with any poet thus far?
A: Well I was supposed to have done a collaboration with one Lyrical Bacteria but I never saw the light of it l am not sure why but yes I have collaborated with Crystal (Malehlohonolo Ramathe) at the World AIDS day poetry session organized by Malord ‘Mefane at the then Good Times Café.

Q: Do you mind telling us where you have performed thus far if at all you have had any performance.
A: (smiles at the sound of the question!) I have definitely performed at my former high school; Advent Ville High School, at the World day AIDS day at poetry session in 2007, at the launch of family club, at the echoes in the Mountain Kingdom show also in 2007, at the launch of Z-Digi’s mix tape in 2008, and at the Mountain Kingdom Come Alive show late last year.

Q: Where do you see yourself in two years?
A: WELL I WOULDN’T LIKE TO PUT IT IN A TIME-FRAME OF TWO YEARS BUT RATHER THAT DRIZZEL IS GROWIUNG AND WILL CONTINUE TO GROW

Q: Your last words to your fellow poets?
A: DO WHAT YOU DO BECAUSE YOU LOVE IT NOT BECAUSE YOU HAVE BEEN INSPIRED BY SOMEONE TH SOME OTHER ALTERIOR MOTIVE OR SOMETHING OF A SORT. WORK ON IMPROVING YOUR MATERIAL.

[ADAPTED FROM THE WEEKLY MAIL POETS BLOG BY POETRY FARM]