29 Nov 2022

Batswana have been encouraged to make it a habit to celebrate their heroes while still alive.

Minister for State President, Kabo Morwaeng, said this during a ceremony held in honour of Tiroentle Pheto, author of Botlhodi Jwa Nta ya Tlhogo novel in Molepolole on Saturday.

He described Pheto as a distinguished author, patriotic serviceman and an educator of note.

Morwaeng said Pheto rose through the ranks from the classroom to a school head and ultimately director at the Teaching Service Management (TSM).

“He taught at Tutume McConnel College, Molefi Senior Secondary School, where he also served as a school head, Swaneng senior where he also taught mong wa rona Kgosi Kgari III, Moeding College: also as a school head,” he said.

Pheto then served as a regional education officer and became TSM director, a post he held until retirement.

Morwaeng, who is also Molepolole South MP, said the village had produced profound leaders, administrators and authors of note such as David Magang, and Cedric Thobega.

Molepolole also has talented musicians, writers and poets such as Billy Mokgosi, Moroka Moreri, Dipako Sesienyane and Wame Legakwa, Morwaeng added.

“I am mentioning these facts to bring to the fore these reservoirs of knowledge that we may not have celebrated enough in the past,” he said, adding such celebration would ensure sustenance and encouragement of future writers and creatives. “To script and produce a masterpiece of this nature takes commitment and perseverance,” he said.

Botlhodi Jwa Nta ya Tlhogo was conceptualised in 1985 and by 1986, it was prescribed as a core textbook in all senior schools across the country.

“The influence of the book also caught the eyes of our neighbours in the Republic of South Africa,” Morwaeng said.

The book continues to enjoy readership in universities as well as translations into other languages.

It has been 37 years since it was published and it continues to create conversations to date.

“We are here gathered, to celebrate its immortal relevance, indeed a book of all seasons. The book makes reflections of incidents of the world war, colonialism and Christianity in the context of our own cultural divergence and challenges,” he said.

He further said he saw a literature package loaded with valuable lessons in history, poetry and drama.

“The rich offering contained in this book is well aligned with the new developments taking place at the Department of Broadcasting Services in my Ministry,” Morwaeng said.

With Btv1 dedicated to the creatives, Morwaeng said Botlhodi Jwa Nta ya Tlhogo can be turned into a film.

“Those capable of facilitating and aiding our authors and other creatives, please collaborate and enter into deals to digitize and market these wonderful works,” he said.

Morwaeng said he rated Pheto alongside other literature greats such as William Shakespeare, Chinua Achebe, Ngugi wa Thiongo and Sol Plaatje.

For his part, Pheto said he wanted to use a simple language for everyone to be able to read as well as use comedy to make it entertaining.

He said he was inspired by the events during the days when he was growing up, where there were divisions amongst Christians and racism was rife. BOPA