Moroka, a proud young Setswana poet
Dumisani Ncube | Thursday June 8, 2017 15:41
Kanye native 23-year-old Edwin Moroka has defied the odds and become one of the few young poets in the country who takes pride in Setswana poetry, which has seen him become a professional artist.
“My grandfather was a traditional poet, he would recite poems while we were ploughing in the fields and I would mimic him. With time I started reciting traditional poems about different subjects without even writing them down. I was advised to take it seriously but I thought it was just a phase,” Moroka said.
Still at a young age Moroka noted that he was exposed to various traditional events, at high school he would be called to recite a number of poems for guests.
“In my late teens I started taking poetry serious. This is when I even acquired an attire and took it as a profession because I started getting invitations from public and private sectors to come and perform for them.”
He notes that every time when he performs in front of an elderly audience they liken to him to poetry giants such as Ponatshego Mokane, Sekokotla Kaboyamodimo and Moroka Moreri.
Due to his rich knowledge of Setswana and tradition he has gone on to volunteer at Duma FM as a host of a show called Sefalana Sa Ngwao, which promotes culture and heritage.
“I do not have a problem with poets who recite their poems in English but I would encourage them to also use vernacular to show some authenticity, promote our culture and heritage,” he said.
Moroka recently won an award at the Botswana Youth Awards as the Best Youth Promoting Heritage.
Through his various initiatives of preserving, promoting the traditional culture and heritage he is planning on going around schools conducting seminars and workshops.