02/11/2024 BAKWADI BA TAUNG’S BOOK LAUNCH–“KGANG TSA TLHAPING” – A published anthology of Setswana Short Stories and Poems written by the natives of Taung Date of Launch: 02 November 2024 Place: Greater Taung Depot Hall.Taung, a region in the Northwest province which hopelessly wears its heart on sleeves, owing to its deeply rooted cultural heritage - a cultural el-dorado, and its lively Setswana dialect called Setlhaping, is home to Batlhaping-ba-ga-Phuduhucwana. Evidently, Taung is also known for its political tenacity and alluring historical matrix. For the first time in its history, Taung had Setswana Sa Rona Indigenous Institute NPC (SsaRII) paint its finely perched landscapes and landmarks in natural colours of jots of dried ink, as it celebrated the much anticipated launch of a new book and the introduction of its "new-kids-on-the-block" Setswana authors.

Following the 2023 SsaRII programme known as Bakwadi ba Taung Workshop's three-day run that was held at Taung Depot Hall from 11th to 13th December 2023, the 2nd November 2024, was a long awaited prestigious launch of an anthology of Setswana Short Stories and Poems, called "Kgang Tsa Tlhaping". This riveting literary marvel embraces a combination of jaw-dropping and breath-taking contributions from eleven authors, all from Taung, about 'all things Taung and Batlhaping', written in native Setswana - courtesy of SsaRII. Prof. Shole Shole and Mr MKN Molebaloa, the pair who selflessly conducted the workshops, edited and selected the deserving manuscripts, sadly could not make it to the launch as the former had a family commitment of a death of a family member, and the latter, following a minor stroke that led to a two-weeks hospitalization in Pretoria, and he was still recovering at the time of the book launch. 

Setswana Sa Rona Indigenous Institute (SsaRII) had a breathtakingly successful launch of Kgang Tsa Tlhaping, a one of its kind ever to be published in Taung, moreover, a book that features new native authors. The book embraces a brimming account of a series of narratives about the historical and cultural affairs, and of matters of other interests of the past and the present within the context of Taung and the Batlhaping.

The chairperson of SsaRII who championed the integral and pivotal role of coordinating and overseeing a trail of affairs leading up to the successes of the workshop run, the publishing and launching of the book and the hurdles in between, Mr Tshepo A. Ponesho, expressed his gratitude to the outstanding work of writing that these authors delivered. If it were not for the art of delivery of short stories and poetry lectures, expertise and the general genius work of these Setswana literature legendary icons, Prof Shole Shole and Mr MKN Molebaloa, who both ran the workshop and subsequently edited each manuscript with such intricacy and high-end expertise, none of what transpired on Saturday, 2^nd November 2024, would have stood the slightest chance of materializing. The trio collectively formed a formidable team to be reckoned with and worthy to be applauded for their unwavering and outstanding work, and may they grow wiser every day!

 

 

Most significantly, in the entourage of his daughter, Princess Oteng Mankuroane; and of Kgosi Kgantlapane, the ceremony was graced with an electrifying presence of His Excellency, who turned the moment into a joyous ride with his unmatched linguistic skills and chronicle repertoire; a well-versed historical and cultural custodian and narrator; an esteemed academic and seasoned maverick, His majesty, Kgosi Morwagaabusi Sam Mankuroane II of the Batlhaping ba ga Phuduhucwana in Taung, who, not only delivered a heartwarming, gladdening and fathomable words of wisdom and keynote speech that undoubtedly engulfed a plethora of historical milliue of Taung and the Batlhaping people, but was also assigned with the role to, alongside the chairperson, Mr Tshepo A. Ponesho, officially hand over the SsaRII Certificates of Recognition to each of  these authors, coupled with copies of the book to each of them. In his speech, Kgosi Mankuroane also announced his reserved availability for anyone who seeks to acquire and document information about Batlhaping and/or Taung. On the other end, Kgosi Kgantlapane, whose charismatic presence flawlessly prevailed at the ceremony, nodded in approval and was thrilled to welcome the new authors and gave the 'thumbs-up' to the SsaRII's astounding initiative and many of this kind, to come! “Le nna ke a lo leboga, Batlhaping”, his voice was captured, loosely translating to “Thank you!” These indigenous knowledge and royal musketeers, Kgosis, smiled together at the camera lens, as they were accepting their own copies of Kgang tsa Tlhaping, both autographed by all the authors.

The event was unquestionably nothing short of great success, and we look forward to covering more stories about Taung in the next run of Bakwadi ba Taung workshop in 2025 and beyond, and subsequently inducting more first-time authors from Taung, thus, adding a sizeable amount of pages to the next edition of 'Kgang tsa Tlhaping', and reintroducing Taung to the world whilst preserving the Batswana culture and promoting Setswana literature.

We give thanks to Mokaragana wa Dikwalo and their respective bookclub partners for their unwavering support and for featuring SsaRII at their annual literary event. Equally, we extend our gratitudes to all authors who are featured in Kgang tsa Tlhaping, moreso, to the family of Dr Gaopalelwe Motebe who lost his life recently in a tragic accident. Dr Motebe contributed a story and poem in the book. The authors featured in the book in no particular order are: Bokamoso Nkunyane, Kutlwano Kgaoganyeng, Tefo Ntehelang, Dr. Gaopalelwe Motebe, Mmabatho Jabane, Kgotlaestile Mokabeng, Oupa Mokgakala, Mosimanegape Jasone, Jeanette Gabonnwe, Otlotleng Ponesho and Ontshebile Tshamboko. The book can be purchased either directly from the authors, contactable on their respective social media platforms, or at SsaRII on 065 992 1198 or setswanasaronasa@gmail.com  Last but certainly not by a long shot the least, we give exceptional thanks to the National Lottery Commission (NLC) for funding this initiative in its fullness. We are hopeful for more future projects together, and we further hope to have more sponsors and funders join hands in achieving the goals of preserving and promoting our indigenous knowledge systems across South Africa, particularly that of the nation of Batswana.

Article written by:

Rre Tshepo A. Ponesho

SETSWANA SA RONA INDIGENOUS INSTITUTE (NPC)

SsaRII

2024/11/02

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SSARII will host A National Lottories Commission funded Writers Workshop in Taung from 11th to 22nd December 2023 - Look out for the poster soon! The Theme: Tell stories about our Villages.

SSARII - 01/10/2023 Keep a look-out for our next announcement about the writers workshop to be hosted in Taung. Our mission is to publish short story, essay and poetry anthologies.

SSARII - 01/09/2023 Setswana Sa rona Indigenous Institute NPC (sSARII), welcomes any form of donations from Setswana books to Paintings and monetary Donations!