kagablog

BY FLAXMAN QOOPANE

The SABC 2 hosted the writing and performance expression workshops and the poetry competition through Lentswe Poetry Project (L.P.P) at the Gold Reef City in Johannesburg on 2 – 3 February 2008. I was delighted to be present at the occasion to witness those who emerged as the best nationwide.

Thabisa Mangisa, L.P.P. Manager at SABC 2 said “About 35 poets from the Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape were selected in 2007 in their provinces as finalists in the Lentswe Poetry Project.

“The poets came together to attend the workshops on Saturday 2 February and also to recite their poems at the Lentswe Poetry Café on Saturday 3 February where winners were to be chosen”.

Poets in the country were encouraged to write poems in any of our 11 official languages about the celebratory days including the Valentine’s Day, Mothers Day, Youth Day, Aids Day, African Day, Heritage Day, Women’s Day and Family Day.

Lentswe Poetry Project was launched in 2005, a relationship was born between the SABC2 and the Poets. The aim is to give voice and stimulate the nation’s poetic side by promoting all “ Bedroom” poets to give poetry the love it deserves.

The SABC invited Dr. Donato Francisco Mattera – PhD, Journalist, Editor, and Writer & Poet to hold the writing workshop at the Gold Reef City on Saturday 2 February.

Dr. Mattera encouraged the young poets as far as writing poetry is concerned, that they should write their poems from their emotions rather than from their ideas, and to look at what is close to us. He also recited some of his poems from his anthology Azanian Love Song, and other poems of other poets.

The workshop provided a platform for Dr. Mattera and the poets to exchange ideas and experiences.

The poets were each given the opportunity by Dr. Mattera to write a poem from a topic “I am”, he also gave them another opportunity to showcase their poems on stage.

Masoja Msiza a renowned actor, dancer, poet, playwright and the force behind, the Lentswe Poetry Project held also a performance expression workshop.

Msiza mesmerized the audience (poets) with his recitals of English and Zulu poetry during the workshop. He imparted skills to participants about the stage, audience, how to memorize a poem, about performance of poetry. He urged the poets to use the standard language when they write.

On Sunday 3 February 2008, the 35 poets from Free State, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape strutted their stuff at the poetry competition. The adjudicators were Dr Mattera, Ms Mathe Mosito – Marketing Manager (SABC 2), Ms Gorata Mugudamani, Producer (High Rotation) Buntu Tembani, Poet, Writer, Performer (Gauteng) and Ntando Lekhuleni, Poet & Author (Mpumalanga).

Ms Mathe Mosito announced the eight winners as the following: Henry Lekgoathi from Limpopo. He won with his poem in the Valentine Day category. Other winners are Rahab Mathebula from Limpopo (Mothers Day), Melisizwe Moni from Western Cape (Youth Day), Simbone Qabo from Western Cape (Aids Day).

Gibson Rachoene from Limpopo was the winner in the Africa Day category. The Heritage Day category was won by the teenage poetess Tlhompho Maponya from Limpopo, Caroline Blackburn from Western Cape won the Women’s Day category. And eighth winner is Tshepo Mdluli from Limpopo chosen in the Family Day category.

The lucky winners were each awarded a certificate as the winner of the SABC2 Lentswe Poetry Project, and a book. A poem of each winner would be produced as a 1 minute item to be flighted on SABC2.

Ms Mosito saluted the winners and also congratulated other poets who did not win, although they took part in the competition. She said since the project was launched in 2005, the standard of poetry in the competition has improved tremendously.

The Free State and Mpumalanga were represented by fifteen poets but none of the Mpumalanga and Free State contingent were short listed. However they were praised for their performance whilst reciting their poetry on stage.

I spoke to three winners, Melisizwe Moni said; “This victory is a stepping stone towards activating the currency of word within the South African Cultural Industry. A personal achievement to kick start 2008, Great”.

Simbone Qabo said” I feel great, it’s a desired pleasure to be given a platform to express my inner thoughts, Thanks to Lentswe Poetry Project, I am looking forward to influencing the masses with positive words and instill in men’s minds the desire to live and utilize poetry”.

Gibson Rachoene said; “I feel so humble having been considered as one of the country’s good poets. This definitely says something about my poetry growth and my moving in the right direction. I feel so inspired, I could burst”.