Manuscripts of knowledge by MPOBA KNOWLEDGE MONYEKE

Manuscripts of knowledge


Take me through a journey by a telescopic view of history
Siyavuma makhosi sa mochonoko a binela hlophe
Le 'na nkenye lenakeng la motheo
Tebisa kepi Sesothong, fepa kelello eaka ka lioelioetla
Tsa nalane hotsoa sesiung sa tsebo e manoni

Nthute sehaeso se monate ntho ena ke
Makhea monate oa eona o kena pelong
E re le 'na ke kene khabong hoea linakeling
Ke tle jare ak'a masasa ke lebe mangaung,
Ka bosiu ba lelingoana o mphe mekhabo-puo
Ke tle ke khabe ha boesa ke ithoka

Mpinele maele,tsebo e oele tsebeng tsaka
Sa marotholi a liphara a pula tsa molubela
Ha li ngobetsa the dry of soil of my land.
Ke anye e letsoele le mohasula
Ke imone monoana ka sokotso le mafura
La khomo ea lebese 'malihlofa
Khomo e sisang bese la mofuta tlhalefo

Nthute sehaeso se seke sa timela ke shebile.
Like a receptive child sitting at ifo attentively
Listening to nkhono narrating historic stories of
Ancient Basotho nation walking through the passage of Ntsoana-tsatsi;
Embarking on a journey all the way to the mountain kingdom
The kingdom in the sky, Boroa ba Afrika.

Teach me Basotho Ethics, I’m listening to you
Nthute hore; motho ke motho ka batho ba bang
Matsoho a hlatsoana, ts’oele le beta poho
Etsoe letsema ke matla,
O ka nketsang ha e hae motse
Motse ho ahoa oa morapeli- motlola thapelo!
Nthute mekhoa le maele a baholo-holo baka

Nthute sehaeso ke itsebe
Engineer words, i will write syllables
In my praise poetry and let it be carried by the wailing
Wind to recite a eulogy on top of Thaba-Bosiu
To pay homage to my forefathers
My trend-setters and my road pavers


Nthute le 'na ke tle ke tsebe hoea
Molutsoaneng ke ilo bua le Rare
Molimo o moholo Jere,Tlhatlha-macholo
A re kolobetse ka keleli tsa mariha le hlabula
Lesotho le apereloe ke nala

Thena khoroa li ehlabe ka sefea-maeba
Khobe re hlabe ka lemao, re jele poqo ka hlanaka
Unleash the proverbial manuscripts and let me learn from you
I’m a child constantly yearning for indigenous ancient knowledge

© MPOBA KNOWLEDGE MONYEKE
25 April 2010

woman scream-lesotho

As part of the international awareness against woman violence and injustice, Poetry Farm has joined the Woman Scream international campaign to host events in the month of March to voice the cry against this violence. We have invited countless poets to participate. It is not a Poetry Farm event but a global initiative. Join the cry.

Woman Scream International Poetry Festival - Lesotho ( Day One )
thursday, March 15th at Ouh la la cafe
with Mr Mafa Maiketso, a lecturer at LCE, Counseling psychologist and a columnist. He will be presenting a ten-minute 'Speak Psychology' session on violence. He currently writes for Visions Magazine. He has been a columnist for two local newspapers namely Weekly Mail newspaper and Public Eye. He also has a Counseling Psychology session on Ultimate FM every wednesday.

Admission is totally free! Just buy drinks and food at the restuarant.


Illustrated by Maliehe Marcel Ntee (Lesotho)

Ethnicity by Mmaletuka 'BlackWidow' Mahalefele

Ethnicity


To me what counts is ethnicity
The cultural diversity
That grounds and binds us to our ethnic diversity
Its not how you define it but how it defines you
Lead your life as you wish but you are entwined in the cultural and modern life feud
Its all home brewed like joala ba sesotho
Its you and that should not be an excuse
Nonetheless an option to delude yourself of the truth
Being black is an unending complexity
Let alone being defined through the hair on your head that’s perplexity
Ethnicity is not culture of mind
Excuses through mental slavery
Families of hate filled hearts combined as one
Ethnicity makes sense more than not yet we choose to derail the choice of meaning to our own
Ethnicity makes or breaks the beings we so wish we were
It makes raw the wounds of denial and we ponder the truths that never were
Oh what a fairytale of misconception and outrageous curiosities
I said we ponder truths that never were and make real the habits of bad mannerisms
Talk of a cliché
Ethnicity is more culture than tradition
Diversity makes true the meaning of ethnicity because culture is more than traditional backlogs
Its a way of life for individuals and their truth of thought
It makes us who we are
That is ethnicity, an undoubtedly cultural diversity

By Mmaletuka 'BlackWidow' Mahalefele.

September 2011 Newsletter

Progressive greetings friends!

With arms open wide we welcome the regenerative season of Spring! Animals are coming out of hibernation, flowers blossoming decorating the soil in myriad of colour. Time to spring clean our homes and our hearts too by letting go of toxic relationships.

September in South Africa is set apart to celebrate “heritage month”. During these celebrations let us not forget the spirit, life and work of Steve Bantu Biko (18.12.1946 - 12.09.1977), the father of Black Consciousness. He was last seen alive on the 18th August, and was declared dead on 12 September 1977 whilst in police custody. One of my favourite quotes from this giant is: “in time, we shall be in a position to bestow upon South Africa the greatest possible gift - a more human face”

And we have managed to show our human face, as South Africans, by collecting and donating food, supplies, human aid and money towards the famine relief in Somalia. Whilst we do good, let us not turn a blind eye towards the scourge of Afrophobia, disguised as xenophobia. Afrophobia is only destroying us as Africans, let us all unite as one people.

What’s new with the blog?

1. You can subscribe by email l to the blog so that when a new post has been made, you will be the first to receive it conveniently delivered to your personal email address. (Your email address will remain private; your details are secure and will not be shared.)

2. YOU have the power to make a change. Please check out the September National Imbizo (SNI), the first imbizo was held in September 2010. This year it’s happening on the 23-25 September 2011, in Durban.

What is the SNI? It is an active group of citizens based all over South Africa. Where individuals and groups are invited to participate in bringing about change in our beloved country, because the democracy we received in 1994 changed nothing. These discussions are held in person, at different regions, you can join the conversation on Facebook by searching “September National Imbizo”
http://www.facebook.com/bookmarks/groups#!/groups/septembernationalimbizo/

The SNI is by the people, for the people, holding politicians accountable.

Read more on the People’s Manifesto here: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/08/tuesday-may-31-2011-peoples-manifesto.html! This manifesto is available in English/Zulu/Tswana/Afrikaans.

The registration period for the 2011 Imbizo is open, check this link out: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/08/sni-2011-registration.html

3. National book week is scheduled to take place at various spots around South Africa from 5 to 10 September. National Book Week aims to promote literacy and celebrate reading.

4. On the heritage month theme, Fezekile Futhwa in his piece explores the Sotho language, read more from him here: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/09/why-lesotho-lexicology-is-incorrect.htm

5. Peter Mahase reviews the AfroConscious Journal 2010: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/09/afroconscious-journal-review-peter.html

6. Make sure to check out the poetry posted on the Afrikan Poets and Writers group wall by Ohene Ampofo Anti: http://uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com/2011/08/born-free-ohene-yaw-ampofo-anti.html

What are you reading? What are YOU reading? Do you have a book you would like to recommend? Share!

What are you writing? If YOU are not reading are you atleast writing? This month’s challenge is to pen a piece that is centered on HERITAGE and NATURE.

If you have any literature centred news/event/project you want to spread to many, you can post it to the Facebook group wall: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65172951976

YOU can also become a contributor to the UWWUL blog and share with multitudes, contact me for that.

Thank YOU all for the support on this blog, page views so far 4454. To the new members: I would like to welcome YOU home!

Literally yours,
Vuyokazi

AfroConscious Journal Review - Peter Mahase

I loved the journal in general. Beautiful peace of work! It is amazing how much you learn from just a few pages you read. Good African literature. It also opens a window for fellow African readers to know fellow African writers, well-known and unknown. Good connections can rise from these.

The introduction was quite relevant and eye-opening to any average reader. It made the whole journal worth the reading.

I personally enjoyed the poem, “Ke mo Bonetse”, I wouldn’t mind hearing it performed live on any stage. Even a youtube feature would be quite appeasing. I think it would deliver well in spoken word as much as it did it written verse, if not better. If the poet is a good performance poet, that is. Pass my regards to the poet. Same applies to your poem, Lest We Forget. Let me say, I just have a thing for poetry in vernacular and conscious writings in general.

The Rebirth of Ananse – another highlight! I love the story.

The skill of the writers as well as the authenticity (I believe), makes the journal worth reading. You look forward to the next story because you want to read another different mind. Which is what’s major, if you ask me.

The diversity of the general, also gives a broad selection for different moods/personalities and places.


The content in the journal is quite satisfactory. The major challenge in the journal is with the design and layout. Below I outline the key areas to revisit for the next issue.


Notes of Contributors: I believe it would be resourceful to have contacts (either facebook, twitter, or w-mail contacts of the contributors given there).

Personal: well, as my title says, this one is a bit personal. You may disregard it if you wish. I got the intention of “U Write What You Like” as being about being free to say whatever, whenever, so I didn’t go through Fezekile Futhwa’s poem/article on Christianity as to avoid being offended. I did skim through it though and came through lines such as those where he says Christianity is a commercial religion etc. With all due respect to his opinion, I thought I should say that some of this stuff may be offensive. But if that’s the intent, I have no problem. That means we should be open to take any other criticism of any other religion, race, etc disregarding who is in it. I think freedom of speech should be allowed but we should see the lines of offense as well. Like I said, it’s just my opinion.

The major suggestion I think would be to get someone to work on the layout and design of the whole journal. That is except if it is your field of focus and you want to take on the challenge. 

Writing Contest: Lesotho based artists

AFROCONSCIOUS, a South –African published art and literature journal featuring artists from parts of Africa presents AFROCONSCIOUS Poetry writing contest for LESOTHO based artists.

This competition which is strictly for Lesotho poets invites all interested poets to write a poetry under two themes and stand a chance of
1) Winning the first AfroConscious journal copy (published 2010),
2) having their poetry published on the Lyrical Bacteria blog [www.sechabalb.wordpress.com] and the U WRITE WHAT U LIKE BLOG [www.uwritewhatulike.blogspot.com]
3) as well as a chance to be featured in AfroConscious volume 2 (scheduled for 2011).

Two themes for the competition which will span Two months, with each month having its own theme are; FREEDOM (July) & ACTIVISM AGAINST VIOLENCE TOWARDS CHILDREN AND WOMEN (August)

The theme for the month of July is: FREEDOM (what you think of freedom, your personal definition of freedom etc).
Entries will be accepted from July 1st to July 31st.

Poems can be submitted to following email: sechabalb@gmail.com or meet in person with the coordinator, SECHABA KEKETSI via the email given,
Twitter: twitter.com/bacterialyrical or
Facebook: www.facebook.com/skeketsi1 or contact telephonically: +266 6337 3926

Infinite Writing!

Fox-faced Lambs

BY LINEO “SHE-HIM” NTSOHI
The following poem was published under the Poets Paradise column in a free Lesotho Weekly tabloid; Weekly Mail newspaper. Poets Paradise publishes poems weekly under the coordinating eye of Sechaba Keketsi aka Lyrical Bacteria. http://sechabalb.wordpress.com


The oblivion of a mentality demonstrating diplomacy
As her shield what is to be classified?
Day time angel and night time community
Sexual satisfaction instrument,
Pure, Conservative and submissive as she move
With an upright posture and straight back,

If she had another choice she would actually
Seize it, there`s nothing she would love more
Than breaking out of the sordid, liquor fragranced
Cocoon that life tossed her into

To shut her ears away from the piggy gasps
And breathes attained from ghastly and clumsy
Thrusts of her big bellied filthy
Rich and in fact dirty clients
As most referred to them
She would occupy her mind with thoughts
Of how she wished that scuffing floors would
Make an adequate amount of money to
Feed and clothe her siblings
Nevertheless always managed to suppress the actuality
That she was compromising herself for their wellbeing
"In this agony stay emotionless, you ought to bear this" she would say.
The front was actually who she is
©Lineo Nt’sohi

AfroConscious

Title: AfroConscious
Author(s): Multiple authors across Africa
Genre: Poetry/Articles
Pages: 42
Publisher: Self published
Year of Publication: 2010
ISBN: 9780 626 49084

AfroConscious
U WRITE WHAT U LIKE

A compilation of contemporary Poetry Fiction Non-Fiction Reviews Features Art from across the African landscape
South Africa Mozambique Ghana Nigeria

CONTENTS

The rebirth of Kweku Ananse - Kofi Anane Kyeremeh
To her - Fadil Ishak Dapilaa
Filial love - Luzuko Gongxeka
Trapped Gagged Tongue tied - Zinzi Voyiya
Throw It Away - Kofi Anane Kyeremeh
Lest we forget - Vuyokazi S. Yonke
Christianity - Fezekile Futhwa
am i just another? - Emmanuel Ekosse
She is you -- Tsepo Gumbi
The court jester - Xolile Sizephe
Father Figures - Siya Ayanda Mbuyazi
Imagine - Olawale Adineran
Rationalizing with I - Sibongisiwe Sibeko
Sunday Confessions - Ouma Mokwana
Memory, be silent -- Danny Hanson
One Peace - Tshepo Tshabalala
Ke mo bonetse - Mpho Matsitle
Mental circumcision - Sechaba Keketsi

Features:
Sparkling women - Vuyokazi S. Yonke
Consciousness - Karabo Mkhabela

Book review and interview:
Waking Up Dead (Roger Smith) - Tshepo Tshabalala

Illustrator - Ivan Muhambe
Compiler - Vuyokazi S Yonke


Everyone has a story. Here is the platform to share yours in your own words. Write what U like!




The publication is available from Vuyokazi in Cape Town and around Johannesburg on the 16-21st December 2010.
Order by email: uwritewhatulike@gmail.com
R30 cash. R40 incl. postage



You have heard all the hype through the Facebook group: Afrikan Poets and Writers, now its time YOU believed the hype- The Book IS out!
Formerly known as U WRITE WHAT U LIKE, has now been christened as AfroConscious, you can own the first issue- it is a must have collection from youth all across the landscape of Africa!

The reason for the name change?
I was telling Ms Lunika from the National Library about this project and I mentioned the name U write what U like, and she said: "Couldn't you be more original?"
Then the name AfroConscious just materialised and I've gone for it.

I hope you enjoy this African feast of words!




The illustration on the front and back cover appear courtesy of Ivan Muhambe (Mozambique)

Poets Paradise Male Poets Gender based Violence Project

Hellow fam.This is a first post on this blog about the Lesotho Poetry Sphere.
I am more than delighted to present here part of what Lesotho poets have been doing in castigating against Gender Based violence.Poets Paradise is a Weekly Mail newspaper(free Lesotho weekly) poetry column coordinated by a poet for poets.The following poems are but part of the poems that were published under the column's Gender Based violence project which was only open to male poets.The idea behind allowing only male poets was not to segregate or whatsoever but rather to inspire, trigger male poets to stand up and castigat other males who abuse.

EMOTIONALLY COLD AT THIRTEEN

BY MPOBA “KNOWLEDGE” MONYEKE

Published under Weekly Mail Poets Paradise Male Poets project 2010

The lick of his torture tongue aggravates the pain

Like she has lungs immersed in blood, she coughs Hurts,

exhales the agony through her eyes.

May tries so hard to erect barriers of defense

But only with liquid self-confidence,

then Step-grand father has already jumped the boarders

And invaded the territory of this virgin heart,

His verbal barbed wire strips the flesh

From her self-esteem and breaks her back-bone

Leaving blood oozing from the wounds within

Every night hell breaks loose with ‘the supreme

Demon’ caressing her thighs and breasts,

Reading through ‘her book’ that she once promised

Herself to keep it closed until she reaches twenty one.

Her interior landscapes polluted by fear toxins

She inhales from the monster figure’s atmosphere,

She keeps her mouth absolutely shut.

She has no one to cry to because: her grand mother

Ceased to exist when May was six,

on her Father’s family she is a rejected seed,

And her father died when she was conceived

While her mother passed on during her Birth time.

”I guess life is mean, she said”.

Every day she is dressed in tears with

Nile eroding her facial make up,

Hiding her hurts and fears with a Fake fragile smile,

but analyzing the Situation through her eyes,

even a blind man Could see that deep down she is lost soul.

Abhorrence woven into every fabric of her thoughts,

She is disgusted by every glimpse of him,

and how She hates his hands invading her private faculties!

The lick of his torture tongue aggravates the pain

Like she has her lungs immersed in blood,

she Exudes hurts, and exhales the agony through her eyes!

Being tongue-tied and introvert,

silence murders May’s self-worth crushes it into fine fragments,

She is emotionally cold, and so is the name.

She writes sad episodes of her life, trying to find a healing

For the misery the future is about to unfold,

As the destiny the heavens are about to unfold.

Internally bleeding, turning emotionally cold At the age of thirteen

longing for happiness She once tasted as a child of six.

Survival is tougher than that of the seeds

That fell on concrete streets.

She decides to be bold, and takes the matter to the police,

Guess what she gets from the police officer!

A sense of relief – one would think, not exactly that

But her heart-rending experience is exacerbated,

Like step-grand dad, he too forces himself

On her as to ‘harden the evidence’.

Indeed she was born from the sorry side

She thinks of choosing the grave over life

By committing suicide; because the hand that once Protected her

and nurtured her is the hand that finally Molested her.

On second thoughts, she makes a phone Call to the toll free number: 0800 05 5555,

Lays and presses charges of abuse and rape,

Being the person she is talking to

I totally decide to find her psychiatric treatment,

Lock the monsters up, offer them prison cells

As their lifetime homes ’cause that’s where they belong.

It’s upon ordinary people like you and I to eradicate

This kind of behavior from our lives’ scenes

By saying NO TO CHILD MOLESTATION!

©MPOBA MONYEKE
MPOBA is a member of Poets Alive Crew(PAC)a Lesotho male only poetry group

Lyrical Bacteria

In The Name Of Poetry Be Inspired
In The Name Of The Most High Be Blessed
~~INFINITE WRITING~~

U write what U like: Latest Contributor from Lesotho

It's with infinite pleasure to welcome an addition to the U write what U like Fam, Sechaba Keketsi- welcome home!

Who is Sechaba?

Sechaba "Lyrical Bacteria" Keketsi is a well-acclaimed and highly sort after poet in Lesotho. Known for the power with which he spits words in his recitation, the truth in his content, and his ability to blend Sotho with english exceptionally in his poems he is known to many as a gifted spirit and a good breath of poetry.

He harbors a paper column called Poets Paradise in one of the local newspapers.The column is by far the only poetry column in any newpaper in Lesotho; sharing not only his gift but of many other local poets.

He recently launched the Letsibolo Poetry Project - a project exploring the philosophy behind poetry. He is also part of a prominent group of poets called Poetry Farm, and together they work on taking Lesotho's poetry beyond the borders of the Kingdom

...

Thank you, Sechaba, we look orward to great things from you for Lesotho and Africa!