Conversations with Boitshepo Motsamai

Boitshepo  Motsamai is a talented and passionate feature writer dedicated to changing negative internal and external perception of Africa. She talks to me about African Development and the importance of promoting Pan- Africanism.

Gaamangwe: So Boitshepo, you are an amazing feature writer for your super amazing blog, The Afrolutionist. How did the idea for your blog develop?

Boitshepo: Well this blog stems from the idea that we Africans always say that the west doesn’t know about our continent, but how much do we know about all 54 countries? How much positivity and development are we aware of? I have realized that we tend to carry the same stereotypical image that the west carries unto other areas of the continent. This is what brought on The Afrolutionist; a platform which not only celebrates sung and unsung heroes, but also gives news on African development in all regions of the continent.

 True. Amazing idea too. Other than African development, what other areas or themes do you explore in your blog?

 Well African development sums up what my blog is about  but we look into African’s economic, social,  health and arts and culture sector. We however emphasize the arts and culture sector on weekends as more contributors for the blog are highlighted.

Amazing. As someone who obviously spends a lot of time learning about recent African development, what trends are you finding? And in what way/direction do you think Africa can develop  as a continent? What should be the priority?

It is really difficult to say, but I do believe that the main wars we fight as Africans are very internal. Yet we do not find a solution with us. I believe for us to grow we need to invest more in ourselves, stop looking to the west for constant assistance and constant investments. When we have citizens here ready and willing to invest in Africa. If anything what hinders us from development is greed, our inability to unite. If we can focus on helping each other we can be in a  position to create a healthy economic climate for our continent as a whole.

 Most definitely. For you as an African, what do you think is necessary to actually get to  that positive position. How do we move theory/ideas to reality?

It starts through policy making and implementation, It trickles into our education- teaching youth about Pan-Africanism and unity. Its delivered onto our media: more positive stories. It will take many years to get there, possibly centuries, as we need to redress issues that have separated us for over a hundred years. We must be patient as well. For lack of a better word: we must be brainwashed into positive thinking, patriotic behavior and unison. But then again, my solution is a drop in the ocean. We also have to deal with political scars that still affect us now.

 Of course. But then again we have to start somewhere. Speaking of starts, when and how did you get interested in writing and African development?

I think my interest came about the time I was doing alot of voluntary work for the United Nations. They have a platform where people could use their online access to volunteer. Usually, I received a lot of work from organizations in Africa that wanted help in online social presence. So I did Facebook posts, tweets, blog posts for them. And my passion brewed a little from there. Also as I mentioned, our gap in what we believe is Africa fueled the fire.

 Great. Still on the topic of influence, which writer (s) has inspired and influenced you in your writing and thinking?

I think what’s fascinating is that I have been more inspired by broadcasts journalists and motivational speakers than writers. Possibly because I spoke first then wrote later. I am constantly inspired by Reginald Richardson, our local journalist. Also Christian Amanpour and her style of tackling news in an extremely fresh point of view. As far as motivational speakers go, Patricia Fripp, Malcolm Gladwell and Phillipe Starck assist in my manner of thinking. While African greats such as Kwame Nkrumah help me keep my content in line.

 Amazing. Now I wonder, what kind of brand do you want to create for yourself as well as The Afrolutionist?

I never really tell people this, but oh well…remember when I said that media needs to be involved in shaping our mindset and creating a unison in our continent? This is my way of creating the solution. For now, The Afrolutionist is a blog but in future it will stem into other media platforms. My aim is to ensure that the way we think about our land changes. So that we are able to build a better Africa.

I love it. I believe you will reach your aim Boitshepo. Thank you so much for this amazing conversation. Any last words?

Thank you so much for the opportunity Joy, and for the fruitful energy you’ve been throughout this conversation. All I have left to say is to anyone reading this, simply be the best version of yourself, focus on the positives and don’t be led by negativity.

See Boitshepo’s work: https://afrolutionist.wordpress.com/

 

Conversations With Onalethuso Petruss Buyile ‘Mambo’ Ntema

Onalethuso ‘Mambo’ Ntema is one of the most passionate poet of our time. With a poetry anthology “Soul Seeds” under his name, he is a force to reckon with. He talks to me about how he inter-weaved African social thought into his  Reality and Mental Inspiration poetry anthology.  

Gaamangwe: So Mambo, you are a very passionate poet. How did your love for writing happen?

Mambo: Thank you for this reasoning session. I was inspired during inter-school Debates, Literature and Traditional dance competitions since the age of 10.

What inspired you? And what still continues to inspires you now?

I developed a reading culture, especially African Social Thought, Literature of Liberation, Anthropology and History. As a Sociologist, I disseminate on social class (politics, poverty, minorities) and gender issues, emotions, nature and culture. I am inspired by circumstances of life and reality, my daughter’s (Deczybelle) and cultured mother (Ndaruka Ntema). My themes are love, dark poetry (pain, grief, death), motivation and inspiration, nature and wildlife, cultural transformation and vulnerable groups’ voice.

That’s amazing. You are inspired by some of the most important ideals in  the African human life. You have an amazing poetry anthology  “Soul Seeds”! Tell me about it.

Yes. SOUL SEEDS is a Reality and Mental inspirational poetry collection that seeks to explore emotions, thought and reality. It reflects scattered but gathered circumstances through a psycho-philosophical tone and imagery. It promotes nature and conservation, pan African-ism and renaissance, gender issues, spiritual freedom and love and motivation.

Wonderful. Why was it important for you to explore the aforementioned topics? And what do you hope the reader will get from reading the anthology?

Thanks for the question. I seek to inspire and comfort troubled souls for a better day tomorrow, and elevate African Social theorizing and a globalized culture of unity and collected-ness. I seek to raise awareness on relationship building and bonding, self worth, love and forgiveness, history and cultural transformation, spiritual freedom, social class and child neglect, hope and perseverance. The reader will hopefully become inspired, nurtured and surrounded by positive behavior on them and others too. I hope to seed such seeds on souls and beings through relative imagery and metaphors, in particular, the self.

That’s wonderful. How was your creative process writing the anthology? And how did your profession, Sociology influence the book?

It was based on imagination, personal life experience, and past work experience as an Advocate for minority groups (BaSarwa, women, youth, orphans/vulnerable children, disabled), and Social research. As well, peer discussions and networking on various aspects of life and reality. I got motivated and co-wrote some pieces through online dialogue with friends and creative thinkers. I was strengthened by writers and poets such as Pearl Sanelisiwe Ndlovu, Thabo Prince Katlholo, Charlotte Oageng, Nobert Mathumo, Lucky Bulayani, Maya Roze, Mpho Leteng, Juby Peacock, Moemedi Tebogo, Nametso Phonchi, Ponatshegelo Katlholo, Priscah Katlholo to name a few.

That’s interesting. We can only find inspiration from our experiences. How has the reader responded to your work, especially with regards to the poems about minority groups?

The response can’t be expressed; the poems heal the inner self and sense of existence. The reader is empowered, inspired and thoughtful. The anthology is available in 15000+ book retailers world wide including Amazon, eBay, Kalahari. It enjoys a warm reception.

That’s amazing. Congratulations. How was your experience publishing the anthology?

It was a learning curve of many miles of patience and understanding the business processes of self publishing, marketing and sales/distribution. Published in the UK by XLIBRIS PUBLISHING LLC, printed in the USA. It’s self-publishing via XLIBRIS.

Okay. That’s very interesting. how does that work?

The author pays for publication, marketing and distribution, and owns copyright. I also edited the manuscript.

Wonderful.  Mambo , it was amazing having this conversation with you. Any last words?

Thank you oneBlood. Mafoko tota Gaamangwe and you are such a joy. I’d urge Batswana and the world to support Creative artworks as ‘Soul Seeds’ to delight their eyes and minds to find joy and elevation. We sow seeds for a green tomorrow, today and the day before. Peace, Love and Harmony. oneBlood

 

 

See more of Mambo’s work : www.soulseedsntema.com.