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I am enroute to the airport to catch a flight to Johannesburg I've been invited to share words at the OSISA women's week.

Lat night the United States Embassy in Botswana was hosting Yewande Austin whos been in GC running workshops in and around the city especially with Stepping Stones International. I 'll blog more about them when I get back. It was an exciting educational show even for someone who is a super laymen with all things music such as myself. I'm still humming Amazing Grace.

Earlier in the day The No-1-Ladies-Opera-House  hosted their bimonthly Farmers and Crafts market - worth experiencing and do pass by my SAUTI Design stall if you do make it next time around.

Gadda go. Dont do anything I wouldn't do.

POETRY PARNASSUS 2012

Word on the street - the internet actually, says poet and current artist in residence at the Southbank Centre, Simon Armitage is planning a super exciting poetry event billed for June 26 - July 2, 2012.

Parnassus is, so I've been told, a mountain in Greece where according to Greek mythology the Muses live and it is also the mythological home of poetry and music.

Back to the festival concept, basically 1 poet from each of the 205 countries will represent themselves and their country, over a week in London. There will be various readings, talks and performances. If you are a UK based translator or interpreter there is an opportunity for you to be involved with what promises to be a truly global event.

You have until July 22, 2011 to nominate the poet you want to represent your country or any other competing commonwealth country. Get voting !

2011 BESSIE HEAD LITERATURE AWARDS

A couple of months ago I was asked to adjudicate the annual Bessie Head Literature Awards poetry section. This is one of very few writing awards Botswana has and the short story and poetry section alternate annually. The winners have just been announced and the press release is below and contains information about the open prize giving ceremony.


PRESS RELEASE

The BESSIE HEAD HERITAGE TRUST, together with Pentagon Publishers, is pleased to announce the winners of the 2011 BESSIE HEAD LITERATURE AWARDS.

In the category of NOVEL, the winner is Ms. Tlotlo Pearl Tsamaase for her manuscript Unlettered Skies of the Sublime. The first runner-up is Mr. Service Motsamai Monyamane for Mma-Shirley’s Children, and the second runner-up is Mr Moreetsi Pius Gabang for Cryout. The winner will receive a cash prize of P2, 500.00, the first runner-up will receive P1 200.00, and the third runner up will receive P800.

In the SHORT STORY category, the winner is Mr Boikhutso Robert for a story entitled “The
Zambezi Crocodiles”. The first runner-up is Ms. Rebaone Kenanao Motsumi for her
story “Incestous Scandal ... saving Grace”; the second runner-up is Ms Jocasta Tshomarelo
Bobeng for “The War of Animals and Plants”. The prize for the short story winner is P1, 500.00; for the second runner-up it is P900.00; and for the third runner-up it is P600.00.

The POETRY winner is Mr. John Hutcheson for a set of poems (“The Massacre of
Innocents”, “The Man”, and “Curse”). The first runner-up is Ms Lisa Reed for a set of poems
(“Buffalo Sunrise”, “Campfire”, and “The Joy of Africa”). The second runner-up is Ms. Bernice
Tiny Letlhare also for a set of poems (“Wisdom”, “Allegory of a Strong Being”, “What is Life”
and “People in the Street”). The poetry prize for the winner is P1, 200.00; for the first runner-up it is P800. 00 and for the second runner up it is P500.00.

On 24 July 2011, Ms Penelope Moanakwena, President of the Botswana Reading Association, will award the above prizes in the National Museum in Gaborone, in a ceremony beginning at 2:30p.m. at the National Museum in Gaborone. The event will include readings by the winners and runners-up, a launch of the works of the 2010 winners in book form, and an open mike session.
Pentagon Publishers will promote the titles of their BESSIE HEAD SERIES of writing in English from Botswana.

24 July 2011
2:30 pm
National Museum, Gaborone
Free Admission