Poet samples joint 'Gifted Hands'
Cavin Kanoko | Friday July 31, 2020 14:13
The anthology consists of 27 poems from seven poets being Office who goes by the stage name Midas, Boitshepelo Mojuta, Maatla Tsheole, Lesedi Bogatsu, Gaone Koloka, Aobakwe Makwadi and Ame Saakan. Showcasing Talent published the anthology in March, but its marketing was delayed due to the lockdown.
The owner of Showcasing Talent, Molly Thokwane who brought together the poets to work on the book birthed the anthology. On another note, Office told Arts & Culture that she knew Thokwane from church but met other poets for the first time when they worked on the book.
“I have always loved poetry from a young age, because it was an opportunity to break out of my shell. Many would not believe but I was a very shy person, I still am but I have learned to stand in front of people and share my talent. Now I am able to look people straight in the eyes boldly and confidently because of poetry, something I struggled with from a young age. I am so happy I managed to overcome it,” she said.
Other poets also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to have their work published. Mojuta said he intended for his work on Gifted Hands to serve as an inspiration and eye opener to other poets who seek to make the world listen to their cries.
He also said the project was aimed to encourage the discouraged and be an eye opener. Mojuta added that their anthology shows that they can utilise a collective effort to achieve their set goals.
Lesedi Bogatsu a motivational speaker and a poet said she started writing in 2016 when she encountered the Showcasing talent organisation.
The poems feature different themes that are centred on human interactions by reflecting not only the ability of the poets but also the emotions that they invested in writing the poems.