25 Jun 2019

There are many opportunities for careers in freelancing, translation and interpretation, says author, entrepreneur and minister, Tshegofatso Lekone.

She says she has identified a niche in translating Christian books into Setswana.  “The languages you speak and where you live can lead you to a wide variety of freelance translation positions,” she said in an interview.

Lekone encouraged authors not to despair as there were other ways of earning income besides selling books while continuing to do what they loved.

“I have secured a contract to translate into Setswana books belonging to an American international preacher and author and also those belonging to a television personality,” she said. 

She said two books a month were more than enough to pay bills and even more. “I love it because through that I am able to work from the comfort of my house. I just love it. It is such a blessing,” she said. According to Lekone, there were ample opportunities which writers could take advantage of in order to sustain themselves without quitting writing.

Regarding her translation contract, she revealed that she got connected to the American author through her publisher who thought of her when she heard of the opportunity. She explained that publishers often employed translators to rewrite books, manuals and instructions for use in Africa. Certification or education in translation is a plus, she said, but typically not required.

“The publisher is usually looking for someone who is fluent in the required language, has an understanding of the information that is being translated and knows the specific vocabulary used by the employer.  They might require a degree in the specialty being discussed in the publication and several years of experience in the field,” she added. Lekone said just recently, they were on social media looking for Tshonga translators.

 Lekone’s book Against all odds was published last year. Another book titled Uncompromised happy me, is soon to be launched. Against all odds is the story of her early life. Against all odds, she did not drown in self-absorption but did everything within her power to rise against all the pain and suffering, dusted herself up and faced the world. She said the book was the epitome of achievement.

“It is this book that opened up the doors for the translation job that I have attained in the United States of America,” she said. She said for writers to succeed, they should partner and join forces with each other in order to overcome challenges. “First and foremost none of us as authors will go anywhere unless we join hands, help and support one another,” she said. Elaborating, Lekone said authors needed to buy each other’s work and support each other’s events.

 “If I do not buy books by local authors and support their events, who will buy mine and support me,” she asked.

 “Our problems start with us. We need to have one voice in order for everyone out there to understand that we are here and we need them,”she said.

She noted that authors were currently desperate for government to buy their books for use in schools and in libraries. “If you can visit our libraries you will be ashamed to see books published from as far as 1846 as if people are not publishing books every day,” Lekone said but acknowledged that the authors were also at fault as they did not market themselves.

“The world we live in today needs top thinkers not gamers. We do not market ourselves, it is time to start being creative, think outside the box and come up with ways to market our books and make people want to buy them,” she said.

Lekone said social media was a tool that authors could use to their advantage, observing that unfortunately more were still unlearned and immature. “We need to dismiss the thinking that Batswana are not a reading nation as they have proved to be active in Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Whatsapp,” she said.

She said the only problem was that they were not accustomed to reading books, let alone purchasing them, which resulted in authors not benefiting from their efforts.

Authors, she noted, had an obligation to entice readers to read their books. “Even if that is the case, we still have people who are keen to buy our books and very supportive of our local work,” she said. Lekone said one had to know how to grab their attention and make them want their books. “I have sent books to people I do not know by courier to Bobonong, Ghanzi, Selibe-Phikwe, Kasane and other parts of the world such as Australia and the United Kingdom. I even did deliveries in Gaborone to people I do not know just because of social media,” she added.

 Lekone said so far she has not registered an organisation but has hosted several events in her name in an effort to empower aspiring writers. “I have helped writers, including poets. Currently I am planning for a poetry slam competition for primary school pupils in Kanye,” she said.

She disclosed that Kanye South MP, Abram Kesupile would be funding the competition in which there would be a floating trophy. Besides writing, Lekone makes framed artwork, which she has been doing since 2008.

“I also manufacture and design artwork and promote ethnic designs where I have refined my skills. This enables me to remain doing what I love best,” she said. ENDS