Gasebalwe Seretse
30 November 2009
The annual Infinite Word Festival has become one of those events that are highlighted in the calendars of lovers of the spoken word.
At this year's show held on Saturday at Maitisong, young vocalist Moonga Kapambwe, stole the show with his outstanding performance. The youthful singer from Zambia was one of the few people who got a standing ovation with his reverberating offerings and every time he left the stage, there was a call for encore.
The first song he performed was his own composition Good and Bad Times and one would be forgiven for thinking that it is one of the songs by popular artists. He also gave a beautiful rendition of 'Hallelujah', which must have left the audience with goose bumps.
Given his immense talent of song writing and singing, one can safely say the youngster has potential to make in the dog eat dog entertainment industry.
Another artist who stole the audience's hearts was the versatile Lesego Nchunga.
Nchunga is a good poet who is also a gifted singer and it is evident that she has taken the baton from the likes of Tjawanga 'TJ" Dema and Andreatha Chuma who did not perform at this year's event.
Supported by her fellow artists, Bakang Moetse and Mandisa Mabuto she delivered a nice piece and the trio represented our womenfolk well. Christina Ritter also impressed with her thought-provoking pieces. She is one poet who knows how to touch the depth of her audience's hearts. As usual, Moletlanyi Tshipa was in his element with his Setswana rhyming poems. This artist from Gammangwato has a unique approach that makes him outstanding in events like this.
Traditional poetry was also represented by one Lesego Setlhoko who did a good job.While the poet can not be compared to traditional poets of yesteryear, he must be commended for doing his bit to promote traditional poetry in an event that is dominated by urban poetry.
Mmegi/Monitor's Tshireletso Motlogelwa was in his usual controversial self as he took a swipe at President Ian Khama's popular or unpopular Five Ds. His poem highlighted that those who are likely to survive under the present regime are sycophants who never questions their leader. In the same poem, he 'dissed' former white colonial masters whom he believes took away the dignity of the black man so that he (the black man) would be apologetic for the wrong-doings of his colonial master. Motlogelwa also paid homage to the late 'King of Pop', Michael Jackson in his other piece. A befitting tribute to the man who was one of the greatest talents to ever come out of this world.
New artist Konkrete was also equally controversial with his pieces. It is obvious that the artist feels his Kalanga people are not fully represented even taking a swipe at the name of the country Botswana. One could only guess that that the audience was forced to digest hard given the fact that there is a thin line between promoting one's culture and tribalism. The hip hop artist is about to drop an album soon. Another Kalanga-speaking performer, Tshireletso Mzwinila and his two buddies delivered an interesting piece. There is no doubt that talent is plenty among the Ikalanga-speakers and it is good to see that there is a generation of young artists who prefer to perform in their mother tongue.
Disturbingly, despite the immense talent that was present at the festival, the hall was half empty. This was so disappointing given the fact that this is an annual event that most lovers of poetry should know about. In the past, the organisers of the show have been decrying lack of sponsorship, maybe this has affected the turn out. One can only hope the Department of Youth and Culture and the business community could support events such as this. While government must be commended for helping artists, it is unfortunate that some disciplines of the arts such as poetry and creative writing are left out in the cold. Botswana can not afford to lose such amazing talents due to the hostile environment and surely government must intervene.
The organisers of the show should also take it upon themselves to aggressively market it next time around. It must be remembered that this is the show that unearthed internationally recognised performers such as Dema and Chuma and now the hope is that the likes of Nchunga will soon make their mark on the international stage.
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