Lesotho: Poetry Farm stands the test of time
By Alfred Tembo – POETRY has turned to be the epicenter of fostering solidarity among youths in the small but economically sounding country called Lesotho.
Sechaba Keketsi
While in other country poetry has been turn in to a foreign arts, in Lesotho, it is part of their daily artistic meals. In a recent venture, shout-africa.com had such a rare coincident of catching up with one of Lesotho’s seasoned and high profile poet, by the name of Sechaba Keketsi.
Kekesti, believes that poetry has survived in his country for the reason that is heals the body and soul, and keep them in a robust unison that reflects on hope and faith in relationship to the recurrence of life in an expressive circle of human creativity.
“Poetry is such a needed anesthetic that allows continuity in a life, it has emerged the most interactive pattern in my life that unfolds without repeating its self. In a way it breaks down the ego of intimidation in my opponent’s life.
“Poetry allows me to name complex life situations such that they make sense and hence stop them from pulling me down. With poetry I’m able to relate to mother-nature!”
Apart of being the most prominent poet to emerge in Lesotho, he also doubles as Computer Systems Engineer whose vision is to put his country on a global network through his expertise. Keketsi said poetry Farm has afforded him the opportunity to enhance his skills while at the same time doing what he feels he can do better whole heartedly.
Poetry farm is Lesotho largest and vibrated collective organisation of spoken words which was found and directed by Peter Mahase. The collective is such dynamic power house that has created a firebrand synergy by nurturing young poets and poetess, to better the country population’s sense of appreciating poetry.
Lesotho’s Poetry Farm has established a catchment center of enlightenment through shows and annual festivals.
The poetry organization also boasts of having hosted South Africa, internationally acclaimed performer and writer Napo Masheane and Afurakan Thabiso Mohare also a performing poet and writer. Mahosa’s debut Lesotho, when he attended the prestigious Valley Breeze Poetry Festival, said the country has a better future in what he said, “I believe Lesotho has huge potential and already has a number of very good poets and performers…… If such projects are supported, in the very near future they could produce important ambassadors for Lesotho.”
The young administrator admits that creating poetry related events has not been an easy avenue but rather a tedious and course avenue that was filled life time lessons.
“It has been a very bumpy road, but that filled with valuable lessons. Most of the challenges we faced years back still exist even today, some which include lack of proper and appropriate venues for poetry shows and lack of poetry workshops in the country it hasn’t been easy for Poetry Farm poets and other Lesotho poets to grow.
“Poetry Farm holds annual poetry shows, to add vibe to what other collectives are doing. “The challenges have in a way paved way for the success of the poetry collective.
“These challenges are some of the factors that contributed to Poetry Farm’s success and afforded us the chance to go an extra mile in establishing poetry columns in the newspapers, poetry segments on radio, cooperation with other art forms and hence artists from different genres. The impact of social networks and blogs cannot be overlooked”
Peter Mahasa is also Lesotho’s celebrated hero, thorough his impressive and creative mind, Poetry Farm has intensively marketed poets and expose them to the world of spoken word, an inventive tool that has afford to have their fair share on the national agenda, on topical issues concerning arts in Lesotho.
“We have introduced many artists to the stage. This has gone to help some poets easily secure performances on bigger and corporate platforms across the country. And through our blogs we have introduces introduced most of Lesotho poets in the art of sharing their material online.
“While the exposure of our poets has realized the organisation earning recognition as the country’s best well organized and networked collective. This led to our involvement in other related issues concerning the development of our country’s arts industry.” Said Kekesti. Apart from publishing poetry by organizational members, Kekesti has worked tirelessly in ensuring that poetry gains respect in his country through the organization’s initiatives, which includes running and maintaining a column in the now defunct Lesotho’s Weekly Mail. The column did rare reviews, interviews and published poetry by local poets.
Born in on 12 February 1990, Sechaba Keketsi is the spokesperson and administrator for Poetry Farm blogs. The young poet who believes that sky is the limit also works as a freelance arts reporter.
