Raophethekga: The poet who charmed The President

20.03.18, Ko Kgosing, Kanye, Botswana

On 18.02.18, while in transit, I met the Mafhikana Councillor Mr Chabalala at the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, Ethiopia, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the Southern District Council. We briefly talked and continued the conversation at the Victoria Falls International airport in Zimbabwe. I mentioned the well known poets of Molepolole, I also asked him about poets in Kanye, our home village. Without thinking he dropped one name: Raophethekga.

On 20.03.18, this prolific poet charmed me without uttering a single word. It was his 2 piece outfit that did all the talking. The pants and waistcoat are made of plaid blanket, known as tjale, that is iconic of Batswana women and are usually worn on special occasions: weddings, funerals and Kgotla meetings.

Of course, politely, I asked for a picture and complimented him on the outfit pattern. It’s worth pointing out that I did not have a clue that the gentleman was a poet. I did not have a clue that this was the Raophethekga Mr Chabalala talked of.

About 2 hours later he serenated not only the multitudes gathered but also President Khama who was about to give his farewell speech at the Kanye Main Kgotla. From his 6 minute wordplay, the plaid blanket 2 piece wearing praise poet skillfully begged the President for only 2 cows, “marobanyana a le mabedi”.

Having received mouthwatering gifts from the Bangwaketse: a cheque of about P80,000, loads of chickens, bags of maize and sorghum, a number of horses, goats, as well as 42 cattle, among others, President Khama obliged to the poet’s entertaining plea. The President’s kind gesture was welcomed by deafening cheers, ululations, clappings, and whistles of the crowd that included my mother, my aunt, my grandmother, my aunt’s son Shadrack, my cousin, my paternal cousin Rodgers, as well as Mr Chabalala and myself.

“Tautona ke boka ke phaphalala magalapa

E se re go mpona ko Taueshele

Ke eme hela ko Taueshele

Ga ke a kganela sepe,

Ke disitse metshotelo ya meraka ya batho

E e fetang ha thoko ha moraka waka pula e nele

O nnele marobanyana a le mabedi Mokwena

E sa le e rile ka bua le Mokwena

Mme e sa le ke boile ke lapile megano

Bogolo wena o nthapelele”

#Khamasfarewell

#Raophethekga

#iloveBotswana

#iAmMotswana

#Kanye

#Kgotla

#Mmoki