By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
Born and raised in the village of Tsolobeng in Mount Fletcher, Motlalekgotso Ponya’s passion for written word led him to be one of the winners of Amazwiethu.
It was a South African Tales, a creative writing contest for unpublished authors in 2011.
His poem ANOTHER DAY IN MOUNT FLETCHER was published in conjunction with other award-winning works in a book titled AMAZWIETHU SOUTH AFRICAN TALES.
In 2016, his poem KODUWA YA SHARPEVILLE, was read on Lesedi FM’s Mathemalodi programme as part of commemorating Human Rights Day.
Ponya was also featured on Kaya FM’s Poetic Corner slot on Saturdays with Jenny programme.
He recently headlined Soweto Theater’s Heritage month edition of Poetic Thursdays.
As a self-published author of LETOTOBA (WALKING STICK) Sesotho poetry book, he seeks to inspire Africans to use their languages creatively.
He writes on contemporary subjects while visiting the past in a language full of metaphors, sayings and idiomatic expressions.
The book is a collection of 39 poems centered on various themes, namely: spiritual, domestic, love, relations, death, politics, nature and motivation.
Using his stage name, Entshophuthi Tsopia, Motlalekgotso converted the book into afro pop music with a 6-track album, ‘Letotoba’, released in mid-September of last year.
Featured on the album are uplifting poems such as Raoha hee, Mokopi ke Mokokomadi; the unifying, Pula ya Lerato; Tjhatjha e ntjhanyana with its reprimanding tone as well as Boradipolotiki and Bo-Ntshonyana.
” I have been writing since primary school, though it was not something that I took to the head. I would write something, then destroy the paper thinking it is not good enough or I am crazy.
“It so happened that in 2011 there was a creative writing competition for unpublished authors called Amazwiethu South African Tales. I entered my poem called ANOTHER DAY IN MOUNT on it and it won and got publishedinn the Amazwiethu book.
“That’s when I realized that I am a writer and took it seriously. Though I enjoy the works of great Sesotho writers like KE Ntsane and KPD Maphalla whom we grew up reading at school, my writing is mostly inspired by my rural background, Famo (Sesotho traditional music) as well as the situations I see around me.”
In a few months, Ponya finds himself taking steps towards the construction of the Entshophuthi brand.
“I see my music being consumed by a wider audience, playing on national radio and TV. I also see myself growing to other forms of literature and books,” he says.
Besides writing, Ponya is a recording artist with an afropop album called Letotoba that draws inspiration from his book which is also called Letotoba.
“The advice would be for them to take their talents seriously, even if they are not bringing bread to the table.
“They must not despair and keep striving to be great in the gifts that God has given them. They must know that their talents are a blessing to the universe,” advises the 39-year-old man.
