Botaki Issue 8

2202 hcraM

Exclusive interview with

LERATO MOKOKA "Created to Create"

CONT ENTS

PAGE 3 THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Onkemetse Gomotsegang Lekone further explains why writing is a form of art and craft. Writing is a form of expression used to convey and evoke emotions.

PAGE 5 ARTIST OF THE MONTH: TEBOGO NONG Tebogo Nong is as an evolving artist at heart. Her poetry is centred in selfintrospection.

PAGE 24 SHAUN LUNGA Shaun Lunga is the bubbly embodiment of a Black Boy Magic. Shaun is the founder of a book club called Azania.

PAGE 29 COVER FEATURE: LERATO MOKOKA The use of bags predates recorded history, with the earliest bags being no more than lengths of animal skin, cotton, or woven plant fibers.

EDITORIN-CHIEF Writing is a human creation, from the imagination. I wish

Onkemetse Gomotsegang Lekone

to talk about the purpose of writing. Not for the purpose of determining some definitive purpose, no. More casual than that, I wish merely to discuss. But don’t assume that by merely I mean somehow less importantly — for within true discussion lies a more important process of learning through discourse.

And is that not what writing is? A discourse?

I'd say writing is a discourse. A discourse between the writer and the reader, in which the writer presents an idea or fabricates a meaning, and the reader uses interal processes of deduction, imagination and memory in order to recreate the idea or vision inside the writers mind so as to develop a kind of collective consciousnesss.

I would describe the writers that we have featured in Issue 8 as the Shaman People. This is because they use words as symbols to weave meanings and ideas and feelings through the vortex of time and space and into the consciousness of the observer. Like any other communicative art form -- for example, painters, musicians.

Their work evokes different emotions and create different symbols of life. Which also inspires me as a creative writer.

Do enjoy this lovely issue!

PAGE THREE |

4.p

JUST KEEP WRITING, UNTIL YOU FIND YOUR TONE, STYLE AND VOICE. IT TAKES EXPLORATION AND PRACTICE.

March 2022 Issue 08. Artist Of t The Month, TEBOGO NONG

TEBOGO NONG:

Artist of the Month

Botaki exclusives

TEBOGO NONG

'22

ressiV énomiS yb yhpargotohP

'08

March 2022

T

ebogo Nong is a filmmaker and writer from Mahikeng, currently based in Cape Town, South Africa. She uses writing as a tool to self-reflect, to self-create and to express her knowledge. Nong believes that, “Words have the potential to alter our consciousness –pushing us to learn, unlearn and re-learn.” She has self-published two poetry collections: The Truth Shall

Bloom

(2018)

and

Cycles

(2021).

Her

poetry

is

centred

in

self-

introspection; constantly interrogating what it looks like to be self-aware in order to nurture and grow in every dimension. Tebogo is interested in people finding their own magic and inspiration. She hopes her writing can lead to a more complex, and safe space for people to know themselves deeper.

5

How did Bloompoetry come about and what purpose do you believe it will serve?

Bloompoetry came about as a celebration of independent artists like myself. Its purpose is to continue supporting independent storytellers and creatives on their journey through private consultations, sharing creative opportunities daily on our Instagram stories and monthly through our

How did the book Cycles come about?

Cycles was birthed as daily entries every morning in my journal. It came from the process of free-flow writing. I was nearing the end of my early 20s and felt like I had to sit down and reflect on my past experiences, views, feelings, ideologies and beliefs.

What soft and hard skills have you developed to improve your writing?

I have a degree in film writing. My

newsletter. It will evolve into a literary marketplace and have more involvement in Web3. All I can say is watch the space and follow the movement @bloompoetryza

Where are you studying your Master’s degree? What is your focus of research and why?

I'm studying my masters degree at AFDA Cape Town. The focus of my research is around transforming access to South African Film archives (digital curation and blockchain technology). Why? because we

writing knowledge is quite vast and I

are currently not only living in the

would say I developed some critical

information age but the curation age.

thinking skills along the way.

There is an abundance of film assets

What do you want readers to take away from your writing?

online and offline, most still need to be curated through digital film archiving. In

I'm interested in people finding their

South Africa ,various institutions have film

own magic and inspiration and if my

archives and moving image collections

writing can lead them to a more

that need to be organized in order to be

complex and safe space into knowing

accessible or monetized digitally. The shift

themselves even deeper, I'm happy.

to digital brought the concern of the security of film assets with regard to piracy and copyright infringement.

Blockchain technology introduces the possibility to have digital assets in

a

decentralised

database

that

cannot

be

erased

and

is

thus

protected. The purpose of my research is to investigate the use of blockchain technology in recontextualizing South African digital film archiving. Through auditing the infrastructure of current South African film archives and establishing the value of blockchain technology for South

African

film

assets.

The

research

aims

to

propose

a

set

of

recommendations and strategies on how to approach national film archives and production companies in an innovative way. The film industry has a global market that is constantly evolving based on new technologies of exhibition and distribution. This calls for innovation not only in film ideas but in business models that impact curation and distribution. business

Having

and

new

a

functional

digital

technological

film

archive

frameworks

reinvention on how films are archived and

that

presents

utilises

room

for

purchased not only through

digital streaming but blockchain platforms where South African film assets

can

be

tokenized

and

investment into the film industry.

this

tokenization

could

democratize

It's all new information to me that I'm

making sense of but I'm enthusiastic about web3 and I'm not afraid to learn or be completely wrong.

7

What role does filmmaking play in the growth of communities?

Please share your modelling journey and why it is important to you?

Communities and filmmakers play an equal role to each other, because without the culture and actual lived experiences

My journey in collaborating with

from communities - filmmakers would have

photographers, make-up artists and

nothing to reflect upon. So growth comes

stylists is informed by an interest in

from understanding that everything is an

creativity amongst multiple people. I'm

ecosystem.

embody certain themes that align with

Please tell us more about Artists and Auteurs.

an already existing project whether it

Artists and Auteurs is a research and

be the release of a new book or film

archival agency centred around

challenge I'm curating. I'm not sure if

transforming access to film knowledge

I'd call it a modelling

and preservation on the African continent.

journey but rather a creative

It seeks to re-contextualize African film

embodiment.

archiving and storytelling through new

often the subject that chooses to

What is the future of art in a decentralized world?

technologies. The official launch will be announced soon @artists.and.auteurs

find ourselves in the future of art is

How was your experience as a Junior Lecturer?

limitless and will always be, this is

It was an enjoyable and teachable

evident in the many art movements

experience. It made me reflect on the fact

and the backlash each movement

that I knew more than I thought, and it felt

received as the art evolved. We can

good being in a space where I could

allude to exhibitions such as The Salon

patiently share my knowledge.

I know that no matter what world we

we've seen it all and now we get to

Which type of screenwriting (film, television, documentary, etc.) appeals more to you and why?

experience the evolution of art in a

I'm qualified in film writing however I have

decentralized world and many other

an interest in documentary writing. Film

worlds to come.

writing because its truly an art form and

des Refusés, to German Expressionism, Dadaism, Pop Art, Surrealism etc

allows for expressing in the highest regard possible because theres so much at stake.

9

What major challenges did you experience while studying towards your undergrad and honours qualifications?

My

undergrad

was

a

breeze!

Just

had

difficulty

choosing

between film school and live performance school. My honours year was tricky because it required me to be way more accountable in my writing than I was used to.

Which writers have inspired your own journey in literature?

Paulo Coelho

What advice would you give upcoming writers?

Just keep writing, until you find your tone, style and voice. It takes exploration and practice.

Lwazilubanzi Mabona

Lwazilubanzi Mabona is a young poet that gets his inspiration from an icon, Maya Angelou, and how she broke her silence. Being raised by his grandma, she had influence in his style of writing. He describes it as "the point is to never arrive" and "An Emotional Trivia". His play of word was derived from a person's emotional being, being able to send what's inside, outward and onto paper.

What does being a poet mean to you?

I think the writing aspect would be primarily what

I’d

define

as

fundamental

to

what

being a poet means. The expression behind it is an element that really brings out my character

and

is

almost

second

nature.

That’s the point of the meaning I guess; to

always comes into effect when we discover,

How does your childhood background play a role in how you write?

almost instantly, where the interest of our

I

lives- lie. This is to say that the way we

plays an indicating role. You don’t

express and feel as though you can do it through art. Added to that, our background

would define ourselves is given meaning by what we pursue and that would ultimately allow us to be able to then give meaning to how poet

we

are

means

known

in

that

am

I

our

craft.

able

Being

to

still

a

live

am

certain

of

one

thing;

time

always get to decide the outcome, however you have the opportunity to

determine

raised

by

your

my

input.

grandmother,

and

devoted to plenty of influence. Part

to

what

I

would

advocate for in my own space.

What do you find is authentic about being a writer/poet?

A lot of the time, people write for how they commonly

perceive

their

surroundings.

I

of

that

also

I

which

spiritually

weight

that

was

through my words, to keep being expressive provide

meant

I

meant

would

that

be

the

difference in the years we lived on earth would have me find ways of living

in

her

stories

she

was

allow

most of her life through prayer. That

to

give

description

to

the

things that you wouldn’t normally think of and in the “common frame” to just say to anyone but yourself. The authentic nature then

comes

in

combination

of

when what

you you

can

really

make feel

a

and

how you document it. I don’t believe that

was

when

subtleness give

off

actually

I

who

how

believe you can only write in as far as you yourself

someone

and

knew

of

how

less are

on

documented

I

enjoyed people

than the

the

really

what

they

outside

have so much on the inside.

you are able to write to appease nature outside yourself. You don’t write because you seek the validity of people applauding your relatability or the way you can make those who would read your work feel. The truer sense is that you are able to do it out of the nature of yourself.

12

but

Tuesday? That Botaki Call-🌻 1. Furthermore, I was once the person who ran the Distance and didn't consider the depth. I was the Person who considered that the high rise were just Stakes and not where the lining of my denim touched This waist. I was the lesson after your mistake and Didn't consider that the cost of your happiness was the Loss of mine. Yes, I was the person who trolled the pen And one of those people that you sure would never Realize that life is so much more than romanticizing The person you think would never cross you even if it Meant you're the only bridge to their disillusion; Listen, you cannot beg someone to hold you so you do Not fall apart and then blame them anyway when you Break. Your wholeness is not someone else's Responsibility-2. At times, I don't know what's worse; To not know what you are And be happy, or to become what you've Always wanted to be, and feel alone.

3. A special mention my ancestors.

Sometimes they Just know when the boy needs a hug-Lwazilubanzi

When did you start writing and what motivated you to start?

When I initially started writing, I was transposing music

the

book.

lyrics

The

from

humorous

2pacs part

is

that I was 12 and hoping to be the next

guy

behind

a

mic

with

the

ambition of selling out records; the reality

was

gifted

and

that to

I

be

wasn’t

vocally

honest,

neither

musically.

The

urge,

however,

was

in

how

I

drew from the play of words. I was motivated

by

the

art

to

document

how

they

feel

outside of the ordinary meaning and while

the

passion

eagerness persistence outside

of

grew in

was

and

so

wanting

just

there,

writing

to

did

the the

expand

about

the

motivation

wanting

to

was

exceed

always

my

in

vocabulary

content and that always made me aware

how

thoughts

spot. They come to me when I begin writing and, in most cases, they are a part of a time when I lived through what

I

really

is

am

writing

random

at

but

that

with

time.

a

link

It of

where I was in my life at the time that certain events happened.

An Emotional Trivia. It’s simple, I don’t intend on writing to captivate, I do it so

you

don’t

have

to

put

effort

in

projecting what the piece is about. t’s where I have known that we do not have to think alike to feel something uniform, we just need to identify that the interpretation speaks to whatever

relatable.

My

To be direct, I decide the titles on the

of

understanding the way a person is able

In your series of writing, how do you come up with titles for each piece you are writing?

much

and

that

helped

shelved

me

we may have or be going through.

Trivial is the most accurate answer in my style of writing.

my

function.

The art of expression!

14

In the piece "Wednesday? Hidden love-..." you start off by saying that you sat with loss on one lap and vulnerability on the other, then furthered on and said that "You can only do so much pretending before you become the thing you are pretending to be-" do you believe that your writing helps you express emotions you are unable to say out loud? And how so?

We belong to the part of us where we are safest in the words, we only say to ourselves. In the same light, I also believe that you don’t always have to believe how you feel about yourself whenever you are not your best. Given this, my best expressions are arguably through my writing. My character lives there and so does my alter ego.

I highlight grief as something you never know until you arrive at it and vulnerability as the vehicle to get you to that. Both sitting on the other side of my lap is a representation of where I felt I was headed at some point of my life. A period where both were of equal weight and none swung the pendulum. It was easier to write this in the most simplistic form, but I couldn’t illustrate the broad nature of what I am feeling without making reference by expressing it that way.

That nature of pretence is not always derogatory but protective as well. We thrive in becoming the thing we know we aren’t because it’s easier to not have to explain yourself. That’s the purest form of selfdivorce and the only consolation is that it is not a forever thing. Eventually, the mask falls and you’ll always get to yourself.

The most unfortunate part is that you may end up endorsing the behaviour of the pretence and never being able to access your truest self. Again, a tragedy!

Writing it is allowing my conscious self to say it without having to exhaust my audible mind which may be full of gaps sometimes.

Who is your favorite poet and how do they have an influence in your poems?

Without

a

doubt,

Dr.

Maya

Angelou.

The

most

sensitive piece of her biography is how she came to have

her

voice

silenced

by

age

7

when

she

was

raped by her mother's boyfriend. That was 5 years of muted

isolation

in

her

mind

and

yet

was

quoted

saying “Still I rise” in one of her best sellers.

Her recitals give more than just honesty to the system of how things work, but an all-embracing experience that you are capable of living and understand that you can do so through the heaviness. I write greatly about love

the and

individuals.

experience the I

in

life;

presence

write

about

the

we how

experience

owe not

with

ourselves to

escape

as the

reality of what you have to go through within yourself and

perhaps

the

realization

that

you

have

to

go

through it, one way or the other.

I attribute a large part of my poems to how much detail we get to implement if we pay attention. That creates

a

picture

ordinary

but

at

of

times,

how a

we

little

won’t more

always

complex

feel than

that.

She

remains

an

icon

for

me

and

I

have

always

studied the message behind, “I know why the caged bird sings.”

Tell us about your upcoming projects?

My biggest ambition is to publish a book. A collective of my work, pieces of everything I have written to represent a body of my work. At the moment, nothing. I write for reprieve and as a practice of my meditation.

Word of advice to anyone who is interested in being a writer.

Authenticity does not have a metric.

It’s a discipline of your own truth and the interest you can actually generate within yourself to tell your own story.

You should consider yourself as the medium to what you’ve actually had to go through to be able to document certain things and not attempt to relate to a story or a figure. Lastly, there is so much to document and the world needs a little more of what you have to say. I remember being able to comprehend that the graveyard is the wealthiest place because that’s where all the dreams rest.

If your interest lies in the craft, answer to the calling.

MARCH 2022

ISSUE 8

SHARON NEEMA

18

How does your background have an impact on how you write?

As a child, I read a lot. I would get so lost in a book I’d lose track of all sense of time, fully immersed in the worlds and places and characters I was imagining. My parents definitely played a large role in fostering my love for books, particularly in encouraging me to read widely and thoughtfully, in addition to nurturing my imagination and encouraging my expression of it. I think all of that definitely caused me to develop a love for the immersiveness of words and their transportive quality. That’s definitely had an impact on how I write, particularly in how imagery informs a lot of my word choices. My writing practice largely feels like an effort to translate an internal, visual and sensory landscape into words.

Tell us about your best childhood memory and how it has shaped you to be the person you are today?

One of my favorite childhood memories is the road trips we’d take with my family. I loved the long drives because it gave me all this basically uninterrupted time to just sit and daydream. I’d even close my eyes and pretend to be asleep most times, to further ensure that I wouldn’t be interrupted. I’d come up with stories and build up all these worlds and characters in my head. also my parents usually left the destination of our

trips

a

secret

and

the

mystery

of

that

definitely added to the daydreaming fuel. to this

day,

I

definitely

still

sit

in

silence

and

daydream and I live in my head a lot more than I’d probably admit.

19

How much time do you spend on research and how much research do you do before you begin to write?

To be honest, I don’t do much pre-planned research, If any.

Maybe I should. My writing practice is a lot less considered in that sense. What research I do delve into, is usually just fuelled by general curiosity and not necessarily with the intention of eventually turning it into a piece of writing. But I do make notes, in case I want to come back to it. Like many poets and writers and

artists

in

general,

notebooks,

in

the

I

make

margins

of

lots

of

notes,

notebooks,

everywhere,

on

the

backs

in of

receipts, in my notes app on my phone. The notes and research that I do, I find myself weaving into my writing which is most often research on etymology and symbolism across different cultures.

Writers/Poets often get misunderstood, how do you make sure you get your message across the way you want it to be understood?

I don’t think that’s one of the things I’ve had to release and let go of when it comes to my writing. I can’t truly control how someone reads and understands my work. to each interaction with a piece of art, we each come with the intricate tangle of our

lives

and

histories

and

past

experiences

and

current

experiences. And for a long time, that was a difficult thought for me to sit with. Like, there’s all these thoughts and meanings I’ve put into the words I’ve chosen and there’s a reason why the words are where they are, what do you mean I don’t get to control how all of that is understood? but I’ve come to have a different perspective of that, of the unlikelihood that my work will be understood exactly as i intended.

20

What was the first experience you had that made you realize that language has power?

I can’t distinctly remember the specific, initial experience but it was probably the first time that something I read brought me to tears. I think the potential of language to evoke such strong emotion, from a bunch of ink on a page, definitely speaks to its power.

21

BOTAKI

PAGE 22

INTERVIEW

AN INTERVIEW WITH SHARON NEEMA

BY PROMISE KHOZA

Who is your favourite poet/ writer and why?

I’m going to have to name two. The first is Alyssia Harris. She is a favourite because of

the

way

influenced

in

my

which

her

work

understanding

of

has what

poetry does functionally. Her poems are a

In what way do you believe that writing strengthen the person's whole being (Spiritually, mentally, physically, psychological etc)?

I think, as a whole, writing strengthens a person’s being by giving them a way to make

process

permanent.

We

write

to

remember. I mean, sure, you can erase and delete and burn your writing but, in

beautiful,

beautiful

magical

ability

inexpressible, form

and

to

example to

give

expression

of

poetry’s

express tangible,

to

the

the

defined

intangible,

the very act of writing, in the translation of thoughts and feelings and the abstract into

to

specific

walk and

that

line

personal

between

experiences

very and

the universal experience of being. Mary Oliver

is

another

favourite,

because

of

how grounding and centering her poetry feels. It is all this constant call to pay attention, to stop and look around and see, like truly see, all the wonder around

with

meaning,

you’re

giving

attention and space and weight to things that

and

words

didn’t

before.

In

have doing

that so,

material I

think

space

you

may

concrete all the lessons and knowledge of your being.

What would you describe your style of writing as?

Maybe,

explorative.

Writing

for

me

is

space to work things out, to wrestle out meaning, to name things, to reconsider things. All of that is very explorative, both in the writing process but also, I think, in

us and all that is waiting to astonish and awe us. I think there’s always room for more wonder, for more careful attention.

how it reads.

the writer's issue

good for prayer excerpt 1 & 3 • March 2022

Clifton Harrison What is one thing that writers tend to misunderstand about their audience?

Describe your collection, of good for prayer in a single sentence

I don’t know. Maybe that we can’t ever

moments that are good for prayer - the

fully predict who our audience will be.

moments when you can’t find the right

Our work may find the most tender and

words, moments of loss and joy and

loving home in hands that we never

yearning, moments without hope, all of

expected, and, conversely, find

it.

It is a collection of poems about the

disinterest and detachment where we expected warmth and welcome. It may be a bit of a cliché and somewhat of an idealist sentiment but i think there’s so much truth in the idea that, as long as you are creating art that is true to you, it will find its way to the audience that it is meant for.

23

SHAUN LUNGA

“Articulate life using words in the most simple way. Transport me to a different world. Make me feel. Make me feel like shit.

Make me want love. Make me feel alive, share experiences, exist freely. But do it with words.

Make me feel.

Give me a good story with a strong plot, and clear characterisation.

Shaun Lunga is a bubbly embodiment of Black Boy Magic. Shaun is the founder of Azania Book Club, a literature club that offers its members an opportunity to share their thoughts and hear other people’s thoughts about books. “I created Azania Book Club for black people,” says Shaun Lunga, “it is a safe space in which to share our thoughts and emotions around the books written by people like us.”

24

the writer's issue

March 2022

I am trying to make sense of life. I love life with its different shades. I love expressing my own life through pictures that you will never see. I have been told that I am funny, messy, warm, and sweet.

Well, those are just a few of the adjectives used to describe me. I am a human being. Humanist, sometimes sassy but mostly expressive and a dreamer ... I love dream land.

Interview by Luvo Disane

What role does literature play in your life?

I don’t want to make a song and dance about this

When did you become fascinated with books and why?

question: “What does literature mean to me?” ...

I

I’ve actually never thought about it. It has always

books. We went on a school trip to the library. It was

been

I

my first time. We went as a group, and they had a

the

room reserved for us. I think it was one of those NGO

been

people that were waiting for us there. We sat on a

fascinated by words as a kid. Beautiful words,

blue carpet. There were some people and they read

and sentences. I suppose they call those “deep”

us children’s story books: “The Three Little Pigs” and

but I’ve always loved beautiful

“Goldilocks and the Three Bears”. From that day on

words.

I was fascinated with books. And the library itself

a

enjoyed, house,

way

of

whether

life

to

there

newspapers,

or

me,

something

was

magazine

books.

I’ve

that in

always

was

in

Grade

R

when

I

was

first

fascinated

by

fascinated me. I had never seen so many books in I love being moved. Connecting. Getting those

one room. I was intrigued.

much when an author tells a beautiful story, plays

How important is it for previously disadvantaged communities to create book clubs?

with

a

I think a book club is a privilege and people that

master of their craft. That is so beautiful, finding

come from disadvantaged backgrounds don’t have

yourself in their words and just seeing life through

time for book clubs, let alone afford to buy books

someone else’s experiences.

because they are trying to make ends meet. I too still

“ah ha!” moments. I love storytelling. I enjoy it so

words,

or

just

shows

themselves

to

be

can’t afford to buy books.

Please share more information about Azania Book Club. When and why was it started? What purpose does it serve for its members?

Azania Book Club started with me being tired of not being able to share my thoughts and hear other people’s thoughts about books. I approached different book clubs from social media to join, but everyone put me on a waiting list. I was in disbelief. Me? A whole me? Black boy magic on a waiting list? I was really in disbelief (lol). Someone suggested that I start my own book club, and I was like “Hey – why not?” But I wanted it to be rooted on the things that I like. Don’t be alarmed. I suffer from main character syndrome (lol). So, I tweeted one day that I am starting a book club and whoever wants to join must DM me. I was amazed by the number of responses. I scanned through their profiles. I made a short list, and I wanted people from different backgrounds and disciplines even though most of those who applied were mostly lawyers or other professionals.

I created Azania Book Club for black people, a safe space in which to share our thoughts and emotions around the books written by people like us. I created a space for learning and unlearning; for upliftment. We have become like a family, and have grown in numbers. We give each other lifts, share books and advice, and just tend to each other. We mostly read black writers, BIPOC writers, Womxn writers, and LGBTQAI+ writers. Azania book club serves as a safe space for booklovers. For jazz lovers. A place of pure black joy, cultivating healing and growth. I like to call it the upliftment of the black people.

26

What are the best lessons you have What book has been the learned from Azania Book Club highlight of your book reviewing meetings? journey?

Yoh chale! Wow! Number one, dealing

You are basically asking me for my

with people comes with challenges.

favourite books. WOW! I have so

You have to be firm, allow democracy

many but the top 3 must be, “The

and freedom of expression. It’s okay

Quiet Violence of Dreams” by Sello

to disagree on something and be

Duiker, “An American Marriage” by

open minded. I really have become

Tayari Jones and “A Little Life” by

open minded. Learning more about

Hanya Hanigihara and one more,

my blackness has been one of the

“When the Village Sleep,” it

highlights. Black life experience in

reminded me so much of the

South Africa are similar even though

wisdom of my late gran, that at

we come from different backgrounds

times it felt like I was talking to her

and places. I’ve learned to be

whilst reading the book.

vulnerable, to allow myself to be seen

When did your passion for book reviews begin?

How do book reviews improve the literature industry?

I think book reviews help with book

My passion for reviews? I wouldn’t call

sales, especially with local authors,

it a passion, but when I couldn’t

because South Africans do read

afford to buy books, I used to loan

but they are more interested in

library books and after reading them, I

business and self-help books.

would write my thoughts on paper,

I have had many people buying a

checking my understanding and

book because of my reviews. To me

recording what I liked and what I

this is a love language, and it has

didn’t like. I discovered other people

always been a thing that warms my

on the internet, sharing their thoughts

little heart.

on their current or to-be-read books and soon I did the same.

27

18

BOTAKI|

MARCH 2022

What is your process for reviewing books and music albums?

They are quite different.

With books, I make notes of my favourite sentences, triggers, feelings, moods, things that stand out. When I am done reading, I literally sit down and reflect “how was that?”

With music, it is always based on feeling the instruments, the lyrics. I always write from that place. I am not professional book reviewer. I just read and write what I thought of it. You would be amazed of what a book can do to you.

As a book reviewer, are you still able to read just for the fun of it?

Yes, there’s nothing new to it.

I am doing nothing different from when I was in grade 6. I just share my thoughts on the book that I am reading.There is a little pressure from publications, because at times I think they want me to write in a certain way. And be less honest. I tend to be brutally honest, respectfully.

These days I am aware that I am writing for people, and I have an audience and am getting paid to do it, which is quite cool.

28

Cover feature

Lerato Mokoka

29

Lerato Mokoka Interview by Onkemetse Lekone Photograph by Mashudu Tshikota

From cooking up stories, to drawing inspiration

Her focus right now is, screenwriting and

from different places, people and visuals. From

directing short-form projects, which she is

studying Finance to actually ending up being a

hoping will prepare her for the journey in

film graduate and currently an actress on the

entering the full-length film and limited

Mzansi Magic telenovela 'Gomora', Lerato

series space.

Mokoka is a multifaceted artist from a small, mining town in Rusternburg.

Lerato's style of writing is to tell unorthodox or unexplored African stories. She further

Her journey as a visual storyteller started with

explains that, "there’s more to us than

photography which sparked her passion for

politics, economics, culture, and history -

filmmaking. Becoming a performer was actually,

which are all a beautiful part of who we are

and fortunately, a result of her pursuit of a job

and should not go unacknowledged - but I

behind the scenes. Being a performer has

think it’s time as young Africans to add a bit

allowed her to see the film industry from different more color to our story that can speak to perspectives - as cast, crew and even the

our individual HUMAN experience, rather

production team; which has helped her better

than just the expected, cliche African

decide what it is she would like to focus on and

narrative."

specialize in.

COVER FEATURE

Botaki | 30

What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

How do you balance being an actress and a writer?

I think high regard for language

going to work so it's not too difficult

picked up quite late in my life. I've

finding time to write in between that. I

always been obsessed with, and

think the difficulty is finding the right

easily understood the power of

headspace to write. I have to be in

images. Language is something that

Tshiamo's world so often that it

only occurred to me once I became

sometimes becomes difficult to

more conscious. My earliest

reconnect with the characters I have

experience was when we read ‘An

created. That’s the tricky part for me.

Abandoned Bundle’ in high school. I

So I have had to find ways, like

think that was the first time I truly

listening to music and making a photo

understood nuance - the power and

album from character references and

the importance of nuance, and how

their worlds, to pull me back into my

nuance is the key to impactful

written characters’ lives. Being an

storytelling.

actress aids my writing as well. It’s

What period of your life do you find you write about most often? (child, teenager, young adult)

Practically, I have days in between

made it easier to put myself in a character’s shoes in a very intimate way and it helps me build story arcs

The more self-aware I am, the more

and plots in a way that feels like the

inspired I am to write. Throughout my

journey of a ‘real’ person because I

early childhood, right through to

play a ‘real’ person who’s thoughts I

young adulthood, I wrote the most

think and who’s feelings I feel. I am a

when life forced me to develop as a

better writer because I am an actress.

person and when I began to see life for what it truly is. Those are the periods in my life that inspire me to share my experience, in a way that hopefully speaks to yours.

31

YOUTH MAGAZINE

When did you decide that you wanted to be an actor?

This is a funny one - I didn’t. I always say this job was handed to me by God. I only went for the audition because I wanted to understand the auditioning process. My plan was always to work behind the scenes, so where better to learn about it than to visit an actual production company? Little did I know I’d end up being on set almost every day - in FRONT of the camera.

PAGE 32

Tell us about your toughest part of your work? And why do you think it is tough for you?

I think right now, I still struggle to engage with certain feelings. Let me rather say I am still learning to engage with certain feelings. If I as Lerato, the 26-year-old, deal with loss a certain way that my character Tshiamo does not, I have to learn how she deals with it maybe she’s hopeless and devastated, or she’s numb, or she goes crazy - whichever feeling is foreign to me I will not be reference from my own life and so I have to learn that feeling, but through Tshiamo’s lived experience and not my own.

What was the biggest opposing force that you encountered on your creative journey?

Imposter syndrome. You can easily lose out on opportunities and give up on your projects simply because you feel unworthy. It gets crippling some days, but I am learning how to overcome it, and even learn from it.

REVIEW: JOURNEY IN THE INDUSTRY

"My experience of the last 2 years is genuinely one of growth.

I’m constantly challenged because I’m constantly learning and venturing into the unknown so I have quite grown a lot from that. My character is 9 years younger than me and her maturity surprises me the way a younger sibling’s way of thinking could surprise you. I find it important to play a high school girl, for me in particular, because I have a heart for young girls. All the charity work I’ve done, and the serving I’ve done has been aimed at young people, and As we sit down with Lerato,

"We sometimes don’t have the

Tshiamo helps me understand

she tells us that her method

luxury of being exposed to our

them and what they go through a

has grown and changed so

character’s environments so I

little better. Funnily enough,

much

listen to music, get in touch

young girls seem to engage with

She went into acting with no

with certain tendencies

me better because they confuse

training and no experience

Tshiamo has, and color her

me for my character which I find

so

with habits that feel authentic

a little amusing, but we get to

learned “on the job”. Right

to who she is, so by the time

relate better which works for my

now,

I’ve prepped my dialogue, I

engagement with them."

in

she

the

was

her

past

the

focus

2

years.

girl

is

to

who

find

things that make the scene

feel comfortable in my

feel real.

character and everything else feels more organic" , says Lerato.

shots from the film 'The Budding' by Lerato

Playing the role of Tshiamo in Gomora How have you dealt with any and your character/personality criticism you have gotten because outside that, are there any similarities? of your creative endeavors?

Definitely. We both love and care for

I love getting feedback (from the

people deeply (although she is more of an

right people), I have never been

empath than I am), we both have a

afraid of it because it's always an

functioning moral compass and won’t

opportunity to grow. So even when

tolerate what is wrong; and we’re both

the feedback isn’t great, I allow

quite ambitious, Tshiamo and I both want

myself to feel bad in the moment,

to do exceptionally well in life.

then move on to improve myself. I

As a film graduate, was there a particular event or time that you recognized that filmmaking is your way of telling stories?

don’t ask just anyone for feedback, it’s important to get it from the right people. Anyone who offers unsolicited feedback I’ll be open to,

I studied finance before I studied film and

but I take what they say with a pinch

television, and at the beginning of my

of salt.

second year of finance, I knew for sure that filmmaking is my form of storytelling. I only studied film and television because I already knew.

COVER FEATURE

37

| MARCH 2022

What words on inspiration were given to you that you would like to pass along to others?

One of our producers called me to discuss something they wanted to challenge me with and I think my tone of response gave it away that I was feeling a little afraid, excited but equally anxious. They immediately said to me, “Please remember that you wouldn’t be here if we didn’t believe that you could do this. If you weren’t not only able but good at what you do, trust me, you wouldn’t be here.” It seems a bit harsh, but I know in certain situations when I don’t feel deserving I just think “If I wasn’t supposed to do this, I wouldn’t be here.” It gave a whole new meaning to Jeremiah 29 verse 11 what’s for you is for YOU. Don’t sweat the other stuff.

BUNTUBAKHE MARK SOTYANTYA Interview by Luvo Disane

Buntubakhe Mark Sotyantya is a Cape Town based writer whose journey began sometime in 2012. He started writing about his life, and how he was making strides to better himself. The subsequent affirmation he received from his readers solidified the idea that he could be a writer. He says he has always been in love with the power of words and the vivid images they can create as well as the feelings they can convey.

An extract from Sotyantya's writing summarizes his creative process as follows: “I have always been a conduit, a vessel of thoughts and memories, often of the collective. Fearful of the words and images that my thumbs and eyes would channel, Me, confused and overwhelmed, emotional as they flashed through my subconscious in an awakened state.

Easier to recite them in my mind then to put pen to paper, Easier to whisper them to myself than to share them with my shadow, easier to let go of the unknown then to find understanding and meaning in these visions, images gifted, anointed benevolence.”

36

What do you love most about your line of work?

I work as a public servant for the Department of Health, a profession I gravitated to as a result of our declining job market, however, I am a writer and have always been in love with the power of words and the vivid images they can create and the feelings they can convey. It is a magical realm consisting of many souls from the past and present, and I think that’s what I love most about it – the fact that my work will exist even when I am no longer on this blue planet we call home.

Which writers have influenced your writing style the most?

I am yet to come across someone who writes the way I do, from the rhythm and cadence to how scattered my work can be, all the while hitting hard and making sense, when it shouldn’t – I have been told. I think it also boils down to how I write, as most of the time the words come to me, unsolicited and I piece and stitch them together with my own meanings.

At what point do you think someone should call themselves a writer?

In the words of Tiffany "New York" Pollard, "that's a really deep question." I think it would depend on the person doing the writing and context of the writing. Are they writing for themselves, journaling or is the work being published and shared? Also, what is the purpose of the writing, and does it have intent? A student writing an essay in a language class in high school, are they a writer?

The question is who defines the writer, the person doing the writing or the reader? Anyone can be a writer, it’s a matter of intent at the end of the day, I’d like to think.

How do you handle a persistent writer’s block?

I try not to dwell on the fog that is the block and move past it. I can easily get frustrated when the words do not come when prompted, but then again, I find that my best work manifests when I least expect it. Something that does work though, is to have meaningful conversations, checking in on friends and also checking in on myself. Reading from similar writers also helps reignite my furnace, finding myself and my thoughts within their work. Also, the fact that I have archives that go as far back as 2012 doesn’t hurt. My voice has been constant as I have evolved, and I find it an easy feet revisiting past works.

Is writing financially viable as a career in South Africa?

Honestly, growing up I never viewed it as a career. I mean, I used it to ease my anxiety and expel certain thoughts, a therapy of sorts that quite often resonated with some of my audience. I sometimes recall a relationship I had with one of my kinfolk, where we would share what we had written and how competitive it felt as we wanted to out write and out rhyme each other. I have, only recently, considered the possibility of monetizing my work, wanting to share it with a wider audience and I am making those strides with how I share my work. There is a sense of fulfilment that follows post completing a piece and it’s enough to just feel that, but it would be so much better if I could make money from this talent bestowed onto me.

What are your planned points of growth for this year?

I am exploring different mediums

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer?

for my work, posting readings,

If I am not mistaken, the seed

and intertwining it with music

was planted sometime in 2012.

and dance and visuals. I just

I started writing about my life

want to do as much as I possibly

and how I was making strides

can, as I feel like I have been a

to better myself and I think the

sleeping giant these past years,

affirmation I received from my

absorbed in myself and my life,

readers solidified the idea

not taking proper care of myself.

that I was and could be a

This ties back to the therapy that

writer. I have always felt like a

my work presents for me. No

hermit, an only child to an only

piece is complete at present,

child and struggled to connect

until I publish and that is the

and feel like a part of the all.

goal I have set for myself for

And through writing, I have

2022. I have also started writing

found a connection to so many

essays I wish to submit to

people that resonate with my

publications, and hopefully get

work and struggles and

paid in the process. I have a

mishaps along this cycle of

small circle of writer friends and

life. It has been an interesting

I lean on them as they do lean on

road.

me, and I wish to expand that community.

"the seed was planted sometime in 2012"

IN CONVERSATION WITH Buntubakhe Mark How does your work schedule look like

How do you get information or ideas for

when you’re in the process of writing?

your writing?

I had initially challenged myself to at least

As far as I can recall, I have always had

write one piece a day, and I was able to do

words and emotions randomly come swelling

so for a couple of weeks, but I found that it

up from within. I would recite them in my

took a toll on me. Writing, as therapeutic as it

mind and fear writing them down. I never

can be, it is also laborious and draining. I

understood them to be anything of

write with emotion and inflection, always

importance, until the day I put pen to paper.

looking within for the next stanza and further

The flow was organic, the words always had

understanding of where the words are coming

meaning to thoughts and feelings I may have

from, when I know I should allow them to be.

had in the moment or the past.

THE FLOW WAS ORGANIC, THE WORDS ALWAYS HAD MEANING TO THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS I MAY HAVE HAD IN THE MOMENT OR THE PAST. How do you spend your time outside

What type of literature do you like to

writing?

read?

I like taking walks in nature or at the beach,

I love both fiction and non-fiction, being

and they are better enjoyed with company,

able to relate to the work of another writer

However I am not apposed to going at it one

can be very enlightening, sharing

man. I often hop in the car and just drive,

experiences and thoughts and emotions

with music blasting and I’ll find myself

once lived or of the now. I also love seeing

wherever the road takes me. I seldom go out

the extent of creativity and imagination of

and party as much as I did in the past, I do

fiction, beautifully written as I paint these

enjoy intimate gatherings or sleepovers with

vivid images in my mind, creating landscapes

friends more. I am also in the process of

and horizon, also smelling the air. There is

starting a couple of businesses which I am

just something so magical about it and I too

hoping will provide a far more constructive

wish to tackle this genre in time.

distraction.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Write as much as you can, and when you think you have written enough, write some more.

We are all one, yet so different and it’s important to understand and nurture our individuality especially when it comes to writing. We all see the world and life through our own lens, and we have different stories to tell and yours is as important as the next person. Trust your instincts, and never fault when it comes to making time for your writing, making sure to never force yourself to write.

Create a schedule, one that can be flexible to your needs. Find at least one person you trust, someone objective and honest that you can bounce ideas off of and who can read your work – this can be a friend or another writer.

Do not box yourself, limiting your writing potential to a singular style or genre. Explore your imagination and write with emotion and conviction.

41

MARCH ISSUE

PAGE 42 | BOTAKI MAGAZINE

TIFFANY DONSON Interview by Onkemetse Lekone

My name is Tiffany Donson, I am a 25 year old, poet, qualified journalist, hair and wardrobe stylist, set designer based in Cape Town - as an artist, I draw most of my inspiration from the elements of nature, its ability to sustain and endure. I think as humans we embody so many of these characteristics. I also draw a lot of my inspirations from the intimate relationships I have with people- their narratives and their truth inspires a lot of what I know. I would like people to remember me through the way I enable them to feel about themselves. Through the conversations we shared.

Through my willingness to pour out of myself to fill them up, I would like for them to remember me through my service. Whether it be my writing or my being.

43

When did you realize that you wanted to express yourself through writing?

Was it encouraged by others (e.g., parents)?

I had a lot to express, from a young age. I had strong opinions but never had the

How do you think you differ from other creative people in your genre?

I always had a true sense of self and i am aware that this filters through

courage to speak on them, I had opinions

my poetry. As a woman who am I as

on love, trauma, spirituality, men, women,

a whole? is a question I often ask

intimacy, sensuality, fear, racism,forgiveness, culture and the list

myself. The mind, the body, the soul is a concept that allows us to

goes on. I thought of my perspective and understanding as an offering, it was my way of serving. To not share what I know

understand ourselves as whole. I would like to believe that my work

would be a disservice. I worked hard and

as a poet brings that to life, it

long on overcoming the internal conflict

highlights each of these

and blockages I battled with for years. I worked hard on building enough courage

components that we often neglect.

My poetry encourages people to

that eventually lead me into sharing the most dearest parts of me, my innermost self.

How important is accessibility of meaning? Should one have to work hard to "solve" the poem?

Each of my pieces are evoked through a moment of revelation, whether it happens during conversation or through the moments I choose to be still, reflect and

pursue a much more intimate relationship with their mental, physical and spiritual selves to pursue the "whole self".

Have you ever doubted your talent? If so, how did you work through your doubt?

I never doubted my talent, it took me

redefine. The aim of my poetry is to leave

a while to acknowledge it, but once

the reader with a sense of clarity,

I did, I was honestly just grateful that

opening them up to new perspectives.

I discovered this part of myself.

The way I attach meaning to my poetry is the same way I attach meaning to life- to remain present within each and every step I take. Soon enough you will begin to realize that there is always a connection between what was and what is, this is where the meaning lies.

44

45

Tell us more about your first collection of poetry, "Warm Colours" My

first

"warm on

colours"

every

have my

anthology

phase

been

life's

journey

of

through A

restoration,

independence.

journey

my I

internal

have

necessary

that

has

into

state

would book

of

has

release

tools me

emotional

therefore,

say

the

obtained

guided

sobriety.

with

I

forgiveness

Through

the

in,

that

journey.

healing, and

speaks

that

this

graced

me

opportunity all

consumed.

that

I

i

to

have

47

March 2022

The book Warm Colours, did you see the finished product before you started it?

I did see the finish product before i started, i wanted this book to feel as intimate as a conversation, I think I have achieved that through my vulnerability.

How do your poems develop?

Please guide us through the stages of a poem.

Each of my pieces goes through a different process, sometimes I would start a piece not knowing what it would lead to, Some days I would know my closing line before anything else, I would then structure my piece in such a way that it connects. what I do know is that my pieces are inspired a lot by what I feel, and so I try my best to articulate myself in such a way that my words would do justice to what I am feeling.

What sort of lasting impression do you hope your work will have on other people?

I would hope that my work liberates - especially women, out of a state in which we so often find ourselves - stuck. I hope that my art would grant them the opportunity to acknowledge all that they forgot to feel and heal.

If you could change one aspect of our society through your work, what would it be? if I could change one aspect it would be the way we often neglect ourselves, How we not only allow others to betray us but fundamentally through that betray ourselves, How we were never taught to love and honor ourselves first, in essence I would change the substandard relationship we have with ourselves, inherently it affects the foundation in which we build our relationships with others on.

Intrinsically this affects society.

48

dear brown girl i know you have things to say i see it in your hazel eyes i see it in your beaded jewels i see it in the coils of your curls i beg you to stop dreaming no more dreaming about a world as if it is not your own your ancestors built this, with every drop of sweat, with every broken finger nail with every trauma eyes shut mouth shut you continue to lay prostrate on your bedroom floor my angel, don’t you know that dry tears are dangerous they speak on behalf of you like rich white men at dinner tables they tell stories that filters your fire and rage no one will see the hurt on your lips or the anger slithering up your neck, poisoning your tongue forcing your kisses to taste bitter if they only knew you, before anger if they only heard you speak, before sadness they would never want you to stop kissing they would never want you to stop speaking emotional intelligence - Tiffany Donson

49

March 2022

Sefora "Sesa" Sam

The spoken word poet, Sesa, is based in Antwerp, Belgium yet, originally from DR Congo. She has been writing since she learned how to write. She mostly writes about emotional poems and poems that confronts one with themselves. Sesa draws her inspiration from her own healing journey and daily things in life. She published her first collection of poetry at the age 19 called "The Thrill of Victory” 50

MARCH 2022

BOTAKI

"The Thrill of Victory"

At the age 19 you self-published your first collection of your poems named "The Thrill of Victory”, tell us more on how language is power?

Has rejection ever affected your creative process? Explain.

To me, language is power because it

process in a different way than writing

is through the expression in a certain

then that’s what I will do. I give myself

language that I have learned to stand

the needed space and I take as much

my ground. Through language I

breaks as I need. I don’t have a vast

affirmed myself and who it is that I

creative process anyways so I don’t

want to be.

think anything can affect my creativity

I don’t think it has. I always write when I feel ready. Meaning if something happened to me that I have yet to

nor its process. I create when I’m ready.

51

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

Do the Internet and social media contribute to the well-being of poetry?

Never. I think once you start sharing poetry online, you get an overview of what themes work best. It’s hard not to

Partly. I don’t necessarily think poetry

give in to that. It was hard for me too

needs social media, but it definitely

once I started getting more exposure

contributes to hyperconnectivity

online. Yet, to me, it just doesn’t feel

amongst poets. It’s because of social

genuine to write about something

media that I was able to connect with

because it’ll score in the eyes of your

and read the work of non-famous

readers. I write for myself and to

poets around the world who are

myself. Some of it I share online and or

extremely talented.

put in my books and if it resonates with

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

people, that’s cool. If it doesn’t, that’s cool too.

from writing about various topics to

Tell us more about your book, "The Break Free" which is divided into four chapters that takes us through your journey of breaking free from an inner-outer environment. What was going through your mind when you wrote that and what was happening in that period of your life?

writing majorly about womanhood,

The Break Free is more so a collection

healing, and more love of Self.

of selected poems I’ve been writing

Doesn’t really have to do with the

since The Thrill Of Victory. Only few

fact that I self-published, I think it’s

poems have been specifically written

more due to time.

for the book. I think a maximum of 5

To be honest, it hasn’t. I still write poems in my notebooks, very chaotically without planning to include them in a book. It’s really all for me! The only thing I noticed between my writing when looking at my two publications is that I have extremely matured and that I went

poems have been written for the book.

Most of it already existed and had one big thing in common which was the desire to Break Free from something. I looked at all these existing poems and that’s the pattern that I recognised.

Some poets claim that a poem is like a living creature: once it’s out there it is not much you can do to correct or improve it, while others edit meticulously, not leaving much from the original, draft form. What is your take on it?

Has any of your poems ever humbled or frightened you? What was it?

When did it happen and what did you do afterwards?

Let’s say I believe in a little bit of both. I

always write about stuff when I feel like

agree with the fact that once it’s out there,

I’m ready. So, the feelings regarding the

there’s not much you can change. It’s not

subject aren’t new which means they

fully yours anymore. It belongs to the

are less scary or something because I

Universe by then, but I do believe that as

already know them and why I have

the creator of the work you can always

them. Sometimes it does happen that I

edit it in ways that wouldn't’ change the

write something without knowing where

meaning and message. I’d edit my poems

I’m going with it and the results of doing

grammatically, for instance, but wouldn’t

so can be humbling or frightening but

change the core of the poems. I am, in

it’s really rare that I write without having

fact, going through the process of

a type of vision.

Rarely. But when it happens, it always happens during the writing itself. It’s usually for a brief moment because I

republishing The Thrill Of Victory for its fifth anniversary and I am currently editing the poems grammatically. For some poems it was really needed!

BOTAKI

| 53

How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?

I try to tell myself that it’s okay for my writing to not be for everyone. And though my work is personal, I have to convince myself not to take anything personal. I’m not going to lie, putting yourself out there is not only brave but also teaches you to stand your ground. And I do believe being vulnerable makes you stronger but at the end of the day it’s your heart that’s out there. Being confronted with negativity hurts. You just got to keep it from hurting you too deeply. Feel the hurt if that’s needed but keep your eyes on the prize and move on!

There’s work to do!

What is success to you?

Success to me is knowing/ understanding your purpose, living purposefully and with peace of mind.

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Hmm. I’d say to not force anything. Trust that whatever needs to be written will be written. It will come to you on its own time. Not saying you don’t have to be open to writing exercises or something. There are always creative writing prompts that can help you practice.

That’s okay. Practice is never bad. But just don’t force any prose or poetry out of you. Timing has a bigger role than you think. If you’re ever dealing with writer’s block, give yourself time. Read, study and practice other artforms and try to get inspired by these other artforms.

Just do something else than forcing to write! I don’t know if that’s great advice but that’s just something I say to people who write! *laughs* 54

8 eussI

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S E ANTHONY written by Onkemetse Lekone

S.E. Anthony is a spoken word poet, writer, activist, and mental health advocate based in Washington, D.C. She draws her inspiration from her younger self. She consider herself as an artist and her integral part of an artist's work is staying authentic and inspired. Never get too comfortable. She pursues themes that reflect where she is in life. So far, it's been healing, self-love, mental health, and memories.

I am what I seek, and I deserve the life I’ve imagined for myself!

- S E Anthony

Your book, Manipulated Memories, explores selflove, distorted truth and mental health. Kindly describe a real-life situation that inspired you to write this book?

Wow! There’s been so many. My life’s journaling

Not only does it explore so many things but it lead you to question a deranged reality and seek growth after devastation, what would you say you have learned from all that?

inspired this book. I can’t recount one situation that

I have learned so much, but a few things

inspired this body of work. It was a mashup of all my

that have stuck out are

experiences put together. don’t force any prose or

1. I am what I seek, and I deserve the life

poetry out of you. Timing has a bigger role than you

I’ve imagined for myself!

think. If you’re ever dealing with writer’s block, give

2. Healing is not linear.

yourself time. Read, study and other artforms and try

3. Your trauma will follow you everywhere

to get inspired by these other artforms. Just do

until you face them.

something else than forcing to write! I don’t know if that’s great advice but that’s just something I say to people who write! *laughs*

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What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

Have you ever felt that your personal expectations have limited your creativity? If

I learned I love storytelling in all

so, how have you dealt with this?

forms.

Oh man, definitely. I deal with this

Do you ever create hidden meanings or messages in your work? Explain.

Definitely. Mostly to myself. My poem dear self is like a mantra and a message of never settling.

Have you ever been faced with negative feedback? How was this reflected in your work, if at all?

by giving myself grace and reminding myself I am never going to run out of creativity and I am doing enough.

What has been your greatest sacrifice that you have made for your craft?

A sacrifice I've made was going into solitude while writing my book. I am a very self-conscious writer, so I

A few! It hasn't been reflected in

tend to stay away from social media

my work at all. I think it makes it

and other bodies of work because I

more raw and honest, and it's

don't want to become a sponge to

exciting to hear and see different

anything outside of me.

takeaways and perspectives of one body of work.

Tell us more about proseandpaper ?

What words of inspiration were given to you that you would like to pass along to others?

1. Your destiny and legacy are more

Proseandpaper is my author's IG I

significant than any trial you’re

made during my pre-launch of

going through

Manipulated Memories. I post

now.

graphics, writing challenges, and

2.There is a reason for everything.

quotes!

3. Nothing is in vain.

4. You have a story worth telling.

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March Issue

Acknowledgement Botaki would like to thank all the people we have featured for making this issue possible.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

Tebogo Nong ( @tebogonong_ ) Lwazilubanzi Mabona ( @lwazilubanzi_writes) Sharon Neema (@sharonneema ) Lungile Shaun ( @shaun_lunga) Buntubakhe Mark Sotyantya (@buntumark ) Tiffany Donson ( @then_god_made_women ) Sefora Sesa Sam ( @poetrybysesa ) S E Anthony ( @yungsabb )

COVER FEATURE: Lerato Mokoka (@thereal_rato )

BOTAKI TEAM: Founder & Editor in Chief: Onkemetse Gomotsegang Lekone Head of Finance & Advertising: Promise Khoza Head of Communication & Social Media Manager: Linda Dlamini Photographer: Mashudu Tshikota Head of Research & Culture Writer: Luvo Disane Head Art Writer & Curator: Tshepiso Modupe

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Botaki

March

Botaki Youth Magazine aims to instill in readers the need to bring forth their individual perspective in order to create a unique perception of the art the Magazine holds in it.

For any enquiry(s), send us an email to botakiyouthmagazine@gmail.com

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