Motene blown away by 'Tsiki Tsiki'

Thato Kala | Wednesday December 4, 2013 17:25

 

Ngwao Putswa was performing at Berry Heart’s Girl Power CD and book launch where Motene attended in support of her gender activist counterpart.

She told Showbiz: “The launch was incredibly powerful for me because I saw poets really engaging in their craft and throwing themselves in 100%. I was blown by ‘Tsiki Tsiki’.”  She referred to Ngwao Putswa’s moniker taken from his popular Tsiki Tsiki Ke A Gotela poetry piece he recited during the Thursday launch.

 Motene said having sat next to the talented poet the previous day she would never have expected such a rousing performance.

 'I sat next to him the day before the launch.  I saw this humble kid ordering a Coca Cola and then the following day he turned into this powerful poet on stage. Although I did not understand everything he said, his energy was on another level,” she said.

 She challenged: “I think artists must see themselves as a business.  Don’t compromise on that.”

 Motene’s claim to fame came during her role as fiery journalist Tsego Motene on South Africa (SA) television soapie, Generations from 2000 to 2004 on SABC1. She went on to present a string of popular lifestyle television programmes including INSTYLE and Studio 53, which she still produces today. She also acted in the biopic Hotel Rwanda.

She had to return to SA before schedule after being punched in the face by Bissau Gaobakwe at Absolut Vodka on Friday night.  The alleged assault on Motene resulted in a fractured nose.  According to an Independent Online report, Motene confirmed that she would be pressing charges.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwean poet, Albert Nyathi said if Botswana authorities do not take action against Gaobakwe, they would engage the UN.

If Botswana does not do anything about this, we are writing to the UN to intervene. What happened on Friday night is totally unacceptable,” he said on Monday just before flying back to Harare.

The three – Motene, Heart and Nyathi – are United Nations Creative Arts Advisory Council (UNCAAC) Ambassadors in their respective countries.