Angelous Society fight poverty with poetry
Maureen Odubeng | Thursday August 21, 2014 11:21
Poets scheduled to perform at the show include: Gauta, Ntirelang Berman, Poetess Lame, Phopho, Sibongile Phiri, Nobert Mathumo, Quaint, Spoken, Maya Roze, Ivan, Nigma, Jim Jim Wa Maburu, Lesedi Koosaletse, Harmonic Angel, Mandisa Mabuthoe, Apoetry, Nomadic, Laureate Keith, Robert Phetlhe, Eric Motswasele, Angie Chuma, Tsikitsiki Ke A Gotela, Carey and Trinah, Cybil Nyte, Nako Ya Ga Nkuku, and MZET.
The poetry show is interesting in that apart from having a rich lineup of upcoming and established poets, it seeks to raise funds for two poverty-stricken families in Tsolamosese and Kopong.
Angelous Society communications and media coordinator, Mathumo, explained that they have partnered with a group of poets from all over the country who are passionate about using spoken word to engage and inspire other youth to make a change. “These artists have donated their time, energy and talent to raise funds and fight the war against poverty. The show encourages young people to use poetry to express themselves and tell their own stories as well as others’ stories to drive a change in our society,” Mathumo said.
He explained that they have so far identified two less fortunate families, adding that they have been assisting the families from their own pockets until this point. He, however, said they want to raise more funds so that they can assist the families in a meaningful way.
Mathumo said that they intend to help people get out of poverty by giving them skills to be able to sustain themselves, rather than continuously providing for them.
“Our intention is to give the families support in terms of helping them start a project that they can do to make money, and be able to feed their families,” he said.
He further noted that their society believes that the best way to help someone is ‘to help them, help themselves’, rather than encourage them to be dependent on handouts.
“We plan to engage the breadwinner, and if she tells us that her interest is in running a tuckshop, then we will do investigations to establish whether their choice is viable, and if we find the business choice to be viable, we will kickstart the tuckshop and buy stock for her, with the hope that she will be able to run it profitably,” he said.
He appealed to the business community and professionals from different fields to join hands with Angelous Society in alleviating poverty.
“Angelous Society is open for more members in their different professions and society status, who may donate anything they deem viable, from material, money or time to assist the less privileged. Professionals services such as psychologists or doctors, just to name a few, are not affordable for all, but if offered for free may go a long way in saving a life,” Mathumo said.