An Act of Balance

Working as a theatre practitioner on the one hand and a poet on the other requires a degree of calculation. At times I find myself doing more theatre work and suffocating the poet inside me. As a result words and images belonging to the poetry faculty flood my theatre thoughts. It forces me to dust the signs inside so that words do not trespass and cross into other faculty.

I don't think I make sense.

But it is fine.

Words...: Not Approved

Words...: Not Approved: I am not alive to be approved by you Neither am I here to be told to go there The poems I write are not meant to please anybody Your applaus...

Come-raid

Take note

Of what your eyes

Allow you to see.

Take it slowly

Into your heart

And need it.

Take it

And have it

Make it yours.

Should anyone

Stand in your way

Come-raid it

For you are

A Come-raid

By: Keamogetsi j. MOLAPONG


* This poem is dedicated to all the Comrades

Protect Me From My Protector

Township Productions will tonight present a poetry show at the Unam Space Theatre starting 18h00 - 20h00. A group of poets will present their work as part of the UNAM August Public Lecture Series. It is jointly organized by the Department of Sociology at UNAM, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and the Namibia Institute for Democracy.

A group of 8 poets will present their work and his will be followed by an open mic. During which poets in the audience will be asked to present their work as well. All of the poetry reading and recitals will be followed by discussions with the audience.

I am excited and looking forward to the evening.

Fugitive

I just don’t know

What to do anymore

I tried negotiating

My way out of writing

But ended up stalked,

Frustrated at times

Forced to write down

A poem, no this poem

I don’t want to write it

Not now, not tomorrow

By: Keamogetsi joseph MOLAPONG

This Law

The law...

Has got flaws

Grown claws

Made clause

To shut doors

The law...

Has got uniforms

Guns and muscles

To silence your heart

And chill your mind

The law

Has got attitude

Manners of hate

Powers of vulture

To paralyse your freedom

The laws...

Has got bi-laws

Sharpened Claws

Amended clause

To be what it wants

The law...

Has got courts

That will court

Your poverty

Into cold prisons

The law...

Has got vengeance

Rigid legislations

To sentence you

To the end of life

The law...

Has got interest

To protect and keep

Friends to buy and serve

Agendas to push and impose

The law...

Has got laws

To rule over and maintain

Keep under a watchful law

And disregard humanity.

By Keamogetsi j. MOLAPONG

Protect me from the protectors... – a live poetry performance

On the 24th August 2011, Township Production will be hosting a poetry performance at the UNAM Space Theatre. The performance will form part of the 6th August Public Lecture Series at the University of Namibia.


The Lecture Series is meant to give the UNAM Department of Sociology, the opportunity to reach out to the public beyond the limits of academia. This interest in a public dialogue on socially relevant and critical issues is shared with partners such as the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) and the Namibia Institute for Democracy (NID). For the past five years, the cooperation proved to be a successful format to turn the public's attention to some of the challenges that the Namibian society faces.

Under the theme "Protect me from the protectors..." Poetry will also be a format used to draw attention to some social issues as seen from the eyes, writings, and recitals of Keamogetsi joseph MOLAPONG and other poets. The Poetry Performance is also staged on UNAM Campus, at the University’s Space Theatre. The performances will start 18h00 - 20h00.and is free of charge. 

Reciting Poetry

On the evening of 20th June 2011, I was invited to present poetry at a social evening at Hotel Thule in Windhoek. A very nice venue almost on top of Windhoek with a spectacular view. I was joint by a cultural group and a drummer. The same crew that accompanied me during my first show of The Scars On My Skin: Part 1.

As much as the excitement of performing for an internal delegation of the conference, it was indeed a challenge to perform poetry to an audience that is not ready for poetry. The evening was set and the everything was in place to share my poetry and engage the audience into a poet interaction, but it was just not the right combination of tired minds, wine and vast experiences and diver cultures.

The Scars On My Skin - PART 2

Keamogetsi joseph MOLAPONG

It was an experience worth repeating during The Scars On My Skin - PART 1, in March 2011. Had a night of poetry, drumming and cultural performance. An appreciative audience and a venue that  suited a recital of poetry that was meant to move minds.  When I was putting the show together it seemed like a task larger than a single poet but with the hour drawing closer, I realized that, I need to fill and expectation I created prior to the show. And Yes, the hours became minute and quickly turned into seconds before my master of ceremony announced the start and I took the stage and liked what I felt. My heart provided the rhythm and my mind danced to the vibe of expectation.

Chris Eiseb on Drums

After a performance of more than an hour, I was all sweaty and light hearted. Enjoyed myself beyond expectation. The night turned out to be a major success and I was a happy man who just completed a task meant for a group of poets. And yes, it was not a story or a dream. I was on stage, armed with a mic and facing a lively audience.

The Cultural Group

I have started conceptualizing The Scars On My Skin - PART 2 and from the little I have worked on, it is going to be a greater show and I am looking forward to sharing my thoughts with an audience. The When, How, Where and Etc, will be available with time.

In the mean time, I am invited to a couple of events to read, recite and share my poetry. Within the next three months, I will face another audiences in Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. 

David Ndjavera the MC

Come Talk Your Heart Publication

Makgona Ngwao Cultural Group

An Overview of Poetry Month in Namibia

Township Productions received financial support from the National Arts Council of Namibia in April 2011, to organised and host three poetry sessions in Windhoek. The funding was used to pay for administrative, publicity and refreshments for the 3 poetry sessions held in celebration of World Poetry Month. Township Productions in collaboration with Poetree hosted 3 poetry sessions at two different venues.  The Goethe-Zentrum, as also contributed logistical and human resource in hosting the 2 sessions hosted by them.

SESSION 1 of the World Poetry Celebration was held at the National Theatre of Namibia (Backstage) on the 14^th of April 2011. This session focussed on Namibian poetry written in English. A group of 10 poets participated in this session which gathered a handful of about 20 audience members. At the same session Helen Vale facilitated a discussion with regard to the writing of literature in English and the struggles poets experience with the language and structures of writing. She also discussed some of the poems presented and gave some advice to the poets.

SESSION 2, was hosted by the Goethe-Zentrum on the 21^st April 2011.   This session was focused on poetry in Indigenous languages. Languages represented at this session were Englich, Germany, Afrikaans, Khoekhoe Gowab, Oshivambo,  Portuguese, Himbundu and Otjiherero. The session was done in collaboration with David /Nanub Productions, which aims to promote poetry in Indigenous languages in Namibia.  In total 13 poets participated in this session. The guest for this session was Mr. Eixab, a well known artist and entertaining. He based his discussion on the importance of writing in our languages. Finding the beauty in our language and securing that our languages don’t disappear. He also emphasised on producing written material of our folktales so as to document out stories, poetry and sayings.

On the 28^th of April 2011, SESSION 3 was again hosted by the Goethe-Zetrum and the proceedings facilitated by Keamogetsi joseph MOLAPONG. A well attended event with more poets sharing their work and participating in the session. The special guest for this session was Mr. Mvula ya Nangolo, a renowned Namibia poet and pioneer of poetry before and after independence. He shared his experience as a published poet and publishing of poetry in general. He also expressed his desire to see more poetry platforms and especially a a editorial forum of poets. A platform where poets can share their work and constructively criticise each other’s writing skills.

This was indeed an experience worth repeating. The poets, audience members and guests to the poetry sessions, all expressed appreciation for the sessions and pledged to continue attending and supporting poetry sessions.  As the organiser, these sessions will continue and next year, the Poetry Month will be celebrated with more activities and we expect to secure the funding and support from arts institutions in Namibia, to realise he event. 

Pictures from Session 2

Poetry Month Activities - Session 1

Tonight Township Productions and Poetree will be hosting Session 1 of poetry in celebration of Poetry Month.

Session starts at 19h30 at the National Theatre of Namibia (Backstage). Looking forward to an evening of enlightening poetry from a collection of poets from all walks of life.

Hope to see you there.

Poetry Month Celebration - Windhoek

Poetry Month Activities in Windhoek

Township Productions in conjunction with POETREE and with generously funding from the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN) will be celebrating World Poetry Month. We will host 3 major poetry sessions between 14 and 28 April In Windhoek

The poetry sessions will cover three major activities

1, Namibian Poets will share through reading, and recitals their poetry written in English. This will be followed by a presentation and discussion lead by a well known academic in Namibian literature.

2. Namibian poets writing in indigenous languages will share, read and recite their poems. This will also be followed by a presentation and discussions around the creative writing in indigenous language.

3, Namibians and ex-patriots will be asked to bring along poems, from the Southern African Region and elsewhere in the world, and share with the audience present. This will also be followed by discussions on Regional and international poetry and how it might impact on the Namibian poets and writing.

We are looking forward to a poetic interaction through out April. The venue is yet to be confirmed and announce. In the mean time. Let us read and write more poetry. For the world cannot be polluted by words of wisdom. 

The Scars: On My Skin - Part 1 (The Performance)

On the evening of 24th March 2011, I successfully stage the first part of my trilogy poetry project. It was both a challenge and an excitement reciting and reading my poems to a lively audience. It is always a pleasure to have an audience that appreciate your work. Having a solo poetry show in Namibia is an impossibility but after the show, I felt relieved that all went well and the audience enjoyed the show. As someone in the audience asked why the themes of my poems are heavily? I explained that  I haven't heard of a happy scar, hence the title of the show: The Scars on my Skin.

The Scars On My Skin - Part 2, is coming later in the year and I am looking forward to working on that project. For the second part of the show,  will be using actors and the same cultural group that performed during Part 1, to have a dramatic presentation of my poems. Of course I will be writing new poems and still work on some of my unpublished poems. 

The idea with The Scars On My Skin Project, is to collect material for my next publication also called The Scars On My Skin. I am looking forward to all of the and it will all come to pass with your support. Like I previously mentioned, I will publish the book and work on audio and visual productions of the three shows.

I want to thank the Bank Windhoek Arts Festival for their sponsorship and NICE Restaurant for providing me with the venue and technical team. It was indeed a pleasure working with you. Many other people I want to thanks are: Lindie for her support, Regii for Camera Work, David Ndjavera for being the MC. Chris for his percussions, the Makgona Ngwao Cultural Group and of course the audience, friends and family.  You are a blessing to an Artist..

Looking forward to reading the reviews as well and I will share the links with you all.

For copies of my first publication: Come Talk Your Heart, you can always get in touch with.

Words...: The Scars: On My Skin - Part

Words...: The Scars: On My Skin - Part

The Scars: On My Skin - Part

The Scars: On My Skin

The date is set for the first show of the poetry trilogy
24th March 2011, I will be staging my first poetry show in Windhoek

Watch the space.
More information is coming.

Words
need to be said.
Minds
need to be influence
Action
needs to be taken

The Scars: On My Skin

I am working on a trilogy of poetry called The Scars: On My Skin. First show is in March and I am excited. It has been ages since I performed my poetry and many people have over the years demanded that I  do my poetry. Now I have taken up the challenge to do just that: Stage a poetry show that will shift your ignorance a little to the left.

I am currently working on my anthology of poetry and the trilogy serves to collect new material for the anthology. I will also be recording the three shows and produce a DVD of my poetry later if not early new year. Thirdly, I am aiming at producing an audio recording of my poetry.

After a long absence and involvement with many other poets in Namibia and elsewhere, I have decided to work on my material and to keep the performing culture of poetry alive in Namibia and more importantly within myself.

Over the years I've been involved in Poetry as a editor and publisher through Township Productions. To date we have published three anthologies and 5 Editions of Poetree. Additionally Township Productions has produced a couple of poetry shows featuring Namibian poets. I have participated in a couple of POetry FEstivals in Namibia, South Afrika, Botswana and Germany and have contributed to an Anthology of African Poetry called No Serenity Here. In this anthology, two of my poems have been translated into Chinese. additionally I share the anthology with poets from Africa and the Diaspora

For 2011, I am working on these three major poetry projects: The Trilogy of Poetry Shows, a DVD and Audio recording and the publishing of my Poetry book simply entitled The Scars On My Skin.

UNDER THE SHADES OF POETREE

Five Volumes down the line and the sixth volume of POETREE is still on a DVD in PDF format, hoping to be printed soonest. The journey has been long for the team of POETREE. It has been hard and at times almost impossible to kick off the dream of having a literary magazine that promoted poetry in Namibia and thus brought to fore poets both established and unknown. Since the first volume, Township Productions has received numerous request to feature Namibian and foreign poets in POETREE, unfortunately it is impossible to publish everybody. As a result, Township Productions is in the possession of material worth multiple publication of POETREE.

The other reality is that the printing of POETREE has become impossible and thus the sixth Edition patiently waiting to be printed.  The will is to print the sixth edition and continue with the publication that has been distributed all over the world.

The ideal exist and the poets are writing, the team that produced POETREE is still standing by. The only thing missing are the funds to continue. So until such a time that funds are available keep writing and keep the spirits high.

So Much Poetry

2010 was just another year that with held opportunity to many people. Be it personal work, education, relationship, etc. Throughout the year I have more people writing poetry and was fortunate to be part of the SADC Poetry Festival in Gaborone, late in August. So many was to present poems so many themes to choose from. Variant  of experiences and inspirations, thoughts, ideas and so many possibilities.

Poetry is slowly growing in Namibia, however more work needs to be done, more people need to listen and read poetry crafted in Namibia. Poets need to move from their hiding places onto the stage and read, recite and perform their poems. Even if it is just for themselves. So many poets I have met, so many work I have read, yet so few people have read these poems.

I still don't understand why poets just want to publish at the first opportunity they  engage with other poets. Books don't talk volumes, unlike the translation of the written text into sound, rhythm and movement. Most of the poets I meet in Namibia first want to publish their work before they can regard themselves as writer of poetry. To be published is a good thing, a recognition by the fortunate ones who can afford to buy copies of our work. What about the man in the street, doesn't he want to hear what you have to say?

Words...: Let's Go To Parliament

Words...: Let's Go To Parliament: "Let’s go, don’t waitDoubt later not nowLet’s go, don’t walkRun to parliamentMeet with the MPsMemes and PuppetsHaste to the building Of Colon..."

Let's Go To Parliament

Let’s go, don’t wait

Doubt later not now

Let’s go, don’t walk

Run to parliament

Meet with the MPs

Memes and Puppets

Haste to the building

Of Colonial heritage

To grow our kapundas

Comrades are sleeping

Dreaming of shares

Opportunities are gazing

Admiring their compatriots

Sprint to the law house

Wake the blooming Memes

With their expensive gear

Ask the Puppets to die

For the gold-filled train

Has long passed their station

They are lost in the purest of greed

Let’s invade parliament

Exhibit our interest

Perform our hunger to them

Let’s sing to them of our thirst

And do the poverty dance

Yes, entertain them with plagues

Let’s screen for them the movies

Depicting our honest suffering

With detailed pain and curse

Let’s draw our hopelessness

With colourful bright truth

Even if blinds them

Let’s creatively write them off

With passionate distrust

And ill-conceived lust

Let’s recite poetry of a failure

To appreciate visual art

Understand performing art

Let’s colonise Parliament

Before another political session.

Let’s create a new parliament

Disband the current thinking

Of “listen, Ignore, Self-Enrichment”

Let’s blow up the parliament

That is haunting the MPs

Camouflaged Memes and Puppets

Actually Models and Pirates

Let’s instil a sense of reality

In the minds of the MPs

Parachute their lust for money

To the safety of our true misery

Let’s dissipate their phantom, castles

Burn their asses – I mean to ashes

And call the winds to blow them

Into the cold of the Atlantic Ocean

Let’s blowtorch their greed, lust

Into fake memories of colonialism

Cripple their self-styled powers

Humble their pride and position

To the grounds of our realities

Let’s go don’t stop

For a fool you will be

Waiting for the MPs

To wake up before dawn

Let’s speak in unison

Fight now, think tomorrow

When causalities are taken

And the fighting is in recess

Let’s persist with our art

Speak through our poems

Draw with our sweat

On canvases of our skin

Let’s not give up yet

Surrender to artificial failures

Timely frustrations, death

Politicised and twisted truths

Let’s move the Parliament

To new grounds, space time

Cultured foundations of strength

Influenced by our innovative art

By: Keamogetsi joseph MOLAPONG

Words...: 2011 Greetings

Words...: 2011 Greetings: "The greatest Art Of not-knowing Is Knowing."

2011 Greetings

The greatest Art
Of not-knowing
Is Knowing.