T. J Pheto to be honoured
The author of a classical Setswana novel, Botlhodi jwa nta ya tlhogo has been lauded by peers at writers symposium last weekend
Writers in Botswana have vowed to honour the veteran writer, Tiroentle Joseph Pheto, who carries the by- line T. J Pheto and has authored the classical novel, Botlhodi jwa nta ya Tlhogo. Leading the initiative is the Motlhaolosa Art ensemble, a creation of the renowned Setswana poet, Moroka Moreri.
Moreri let the cat out at the Setswana writing symposium held at Serenity Hotel in Mogoditshane last Saturday. The symposium was graced by leading writers like the retired University of Botswana lecturer of English and writer, Barolong Seboni, as well as Setswana authors, Tshotlo Dire, Moetsi Makgeng and Pheto himself.
“We will not rest until this man is honoured and we are already planning an event at his place to commemorate his book; This will culminate in the production of a documentary about him. Already Moabi Mogorosi, possibly, the pioneer of motional pictures by Motswana, has been identified to turn the book into a film.” Said Moreri at the symposium.
According to Moreri, Pheto was ahead of his time and deserves recognition. He traced his career from his school teacher days. The sentiments were shared by many, among them, the University of Botswana academic in the African Languages department, Dinah Itumeleng, who ran short of declaring Pheto, the very best among the best.
“Pheto can be mentioned alongside the Chinua Achebes and Monyaises and possibly emerge distinct in my observation.” Itumeleng further identified a few themes in Pheto’s Botlhodi jwa nta ya Tlhogo, amongst them, gender sensitivity.
“We read in the book a case of gender abuse where a male protagonist assaulted a female.” She said
Botlhodi jwa Nta ya Tlhogo has been lauded for its reflection on post colonialism in Botswana, set in Molepolole, with a plot magnifying the after effects of the advent of Christianity in the country.
“The consistent use of humorous language in the novel is an important feature that gives this work its identity as a Setswana novel. It also uses rich Setswana expressions and descriptions that describe Molepolole at the time. The author further develops a very complex narrative and plot that does not align to western conventions or mainstream literacy aesthetics,” writes scholar, Keith Phetlhe at the time, a PhD candidate in Comparative African Languages.
Phetlhe, in his Weekend Post column in 2018, further observes that: “In reading the novel closely, readers learn that one of the key characteristics of colonialism in Africa was that its institutions were not democratic.”
In his words, Pheto indicated that he had always wanted to steer away from stereotypes in his themes.
“A writer is a conscience of a community he lives in, the likes of Bessie Head arrived here and produced and unlike the likes of Chinua Achebe went against societal stereotypes.” He told his audience.
“There is lot of humour in the book so much that I sometimes shudder at what I produced and ask myself what got into me when I wrote that,” he said.
Barolong Seboni urged Setswana writers not to fear English but to acknowledge what he called Botswana English, which he explained, is unique to the country.
“In Botswana, for instance we use the word ‘ late’ differently from the way it is used elsewhere. We would say someone is late, meaning he is dead,” while in other places it refers to a delayed activity. The symposium was mainly about writing in Setswana and had attracted interest in as far as South Africa, represented by Kopanang FM who were regarded as co- organisers.
The event, supported by Macmillan Education and Orange Botswana, was tinged with
spectacle of Setswana spoken poetry and musical performances.
It emerged from the symposium that writers are concerned by what they consider neglect by the government, in particular the portfolio ministry.
“We have been left out in the annual presidential arts competitions ( now National Arts Competitions) for a long time.” lamented one participant.
The last time literary works featured in the competitions was in the latter’s formative period before they were associated with the president. The category has since disappeared as attention has only been in the performing arts.