On Wednesday evening (the 29th June) we gathered at a very cool venue, a new tent at the back of the Maun Library to launch my novel The Scattering in conjunction with Poetavango, the Maun based poetry group.
Anthony Molosi, one of the Poetavango members, was our MC for the evening. He did a fantastic job keeping us laughing.
Katini off stage is called Amanda, my daughter. :)
Then Poetavango member, Charles Kakomee gave us a poem in Otjiherero.
Rre James Mutenge, a historical poet and a walking encyclopaedia on Herero and Mbanderu culture, gave a poem in Otjiherero narrating the life of an Mbanderu hero.
The audience was captivated throughout the proceedings.
There was a beautiful creative speech by our guest speaker Bobana Badisang, former director of the Botswana National Library Service and current librarian at IDM as well as a published writer and poet. She linked themes and characters from The Scattering with people she knows or knew in Molepolole and with other writing from Botswana. It was lovely!
I gave a reading from the book and then Uaisako Marenga, a Poetavango member, was in conversation with me about the book.
The books ready to be bought.
Tautona, another Poetavango member, getting ready to sell books. Sitting with Anthony Molosi, our MC.
Chairperson of Poetavango and the most hard-working teacher and arts worker in the country, Legodile Seganabeng, giving a vote of thanks.
Afterwards there were warm drinks and snacks. People bought books and I signed them.
Legodile and I talking after the proceedings.
Charles and me. Charles will also be travelling to Windhoek to perform at the book launch there.
It was a fantastic night! I cannot thank Poetavango and their committed members enough. We sold lots of books, we had fun, and we even converted a non-reader into a reader. All in all a job well done!
Taking the show on the road- off to Windhoek for the launch on the 20th of July at the restaurant at the National Assembly. See you there!
I wish I was there
ReplyDelete