Praise Poetry and Motivation

Grade 7 farewell party at Molotwadi Primary School, Mafefe (2019)

Im often invited by schools in my community to render motivational speeches. My speeches will always be notable for their poetic diction. That is because I believe poetry in general, and praise poetry in particular can serve as a motivation and an inspiration to achieve one's goals. It can also help in building one's character and personality. 

Sereti Sa Mamokutu giving a motivational speech at Molotwadi Primary School

I dont think I'd be half the man I am today if it wasn't for praise names and praise poetry. With both my parents in Johannesburg to fend for me and my siblings, I spent most of my early life under the tutelege of my paternal grandmother, Sesolo Ngwanthe Sebaka (popularly known as Moseneki). From an early age my grandmother  would call me by my praise name, Bauba. That was even before I went to initiation school (komeng). In my community (and across the whole of Bopedi), it is common practice that before initiation, you are referred to by your childhood name (leina la bonnyane). It is only after initiation that you are referred to by your adult name (leina la bogolo), acquisition of which follows a strict and systematic naming protocol that has been followed by the Bapedi people over the years. And each adult name comes with a praise name (sereto). For example I'm named Selelepoo after my paternal uncle. My praise name is Bauba. It follows therefore that the praise name for every person named Selelepoo in my community (and there are lot of them since we are interrelated through common history and marriage) is Bauba. However, not every Bauba is a Selelepoo because there are many other adult names that carry Bauba as a praise name. For example my brother's adult name is Modiane (named after my paternal grandfather) and his praise name is also Bauba. In fact my whole family is littered with adult names that have Bauba as a praise name: Mantlako, Mokgalehlodi, Moeketji etc. Other adult names such as Ramaube and Motubatse also carry Bauba as a praise name. Confusing? I hope not. Other popular praise names in my community and across Bopedi (loosely Sekhukhune region) are Ngoato, Hlabirwa, Dimo, Phaahla etc. (for males) and Hunadi, Mahlako, Pheladi, Modipadi, Kutoadi, Phahladi etc. (for females).

So back to my original story: an adult name and praise name are often reserved for you until your return from initiation school. But my grandmother made it a point that she called me by both names from an early age, and boy did it feel good! It gave me confidence and made me think I was capable of overcoming any obstacle and any challenge in life. After all, I am addressed like a grown man even before I could go to the mountains. 

My late granny, Sesolo Ngwanthe Sebaka (green hat) with members of her maiden family, the Maanakas (Ba ga Maanaka 'a Tebele)

In addition to the names, my grandmother (and all other family members) made me aware of who I was from an early age through praise poetry. Occassionally she'd pick and recite a different section of my family's praise poem, but the intro was always the same: "nna re Majakwana..." (we are lamb-eaters/lions). What could conquer a lion? Just the knowledge that my totem is a lion gave me a sense of self-worth and courage. On days when I came back home sad, crying, or defeated; my grandmum would remind me of who I am. The next day would be entirely different.

Then enters my father, Phusele Sebaka (Ngoato 'a Bauba 'a Ngoato). Apartheid laws, migrant labour system and poverty denied most African kids in South Africa an opportunity to spend quality time with their parents. Im sure had I spent more time with my parents I would have been a much more better person than I am today. In all respects. But I was fortunate to spend more time with my father in my adult life. And he took over from where my grandmother left off. What a poet! The old man's command of the Sepedi language was so impeccable. He 'spoke' figures of speech, idiomatic expressions, and poetry in his day to day conversations. Many people thought they could speak proper Sepedi, well that's until they met my old man. I learnt a lot from his staccato recitation style. You had to listen to him everyday to make sense of a complete praise poem because he never recited the whole poem in one day. It was a bit-by-bit affair depending on his mood. I would just sit there and listen to him speak quality Sepedi the whole day; and during the night I'd start putting puzzles together to make sense of what he said. That was an educational exercise for me, even better than most lectures I attended. It is for this reason that over the years I conferred so many titles unto him without his knowledge: Prof, CEO, Linguist etc. 

Myself with my father, Ngoato 'a Bauba 'a Ngoato 'a Bauba (Prof.) during one of my graduations

Typical of any Sepedi praise poem, ours also gives a glimpse of who we are, where we originate from, the hurdles we overcame along the way, whom we defeated along the way, and how we won those skirmishes and battles. Thus, it points to historical incidents and memorable achievements connected with my family, my clan, my community, and the entire Bapedi nation. Growing up listening to the different sections of my family's praise poem taught me that I belonged to a resilient family and community that overcame hardships to be where we are today. What is the worst that could happen to me?

Unlike other poetry types, praise poetry is more about one's identity. It answers questions around who you are: o mang? Wa kgoro e fe? Ba go tšwa kae? Ba go dira eng, kae? I'm sure there are scholarly articles out there which can vouch for a symbiotic relationship between identity and confidence/self-esteem. Knowing who you are is very important to your mental health because identity eliminates uncertainties in your life. In my community any first meeting with a stranger will start with identity questions: O mang? Wa ga mang? Wa kgoro e fe? Sereto ke mang? My answer: "nna ke Bauba 'a Ngoato 'a Bauba. Selelepoo ka leina. Kgoro ke ya Majakwane a ga Sebaka". I've never shied away from this identity even in a traditionally white environment that was Wits University in the early 1990s. I'd introduce myself as Sellelepoo. And I'd add "gae ke ga Mmafeefee a lebelo". I never cared whether you couldn't pronounce my name or not. I'll grapple with yours so you are bound to return the courtesy. For my identity is the uniqueness I bring to the global world. So, as young kids would say, "dzeal with it". Gauteng couldn't dilute my father's identity, neither could it dilute mine, and there's no way it's going to mess up with my kids' identity.  I'll make sure they know who they are. That's because I know that a poor sense of self can negatively impact on their confidence and mess up with their self-esteem. 

What is the thrust of my thesis? Very simple: Poetry can serve to inspire and motivate. Poetry, especially praise poetry, can provide a person with the necessary ammunition and strength required to defeat life challenges and  problems and reach targeted goals. You have to listen to any praise poem variation (and there are many) about the greatest of the Bapedi kings, Sekhukhune I (who ruled during the period 1861-1882) to understand how he managed to come out victorious in so many battles. When he said "ke maphumphantšha, ke maphsikološa, ke matswaka-le-mabu Theledi 'a Marota" he meant business. Get out of his way or you'll eat dust. 

I therefore submit that poetry can mould someone to become a better person in life. Praise poetry has to a large extent influenced the choices I've made in my life, especially those around my education and business. Throw me into that lion's den called Wits University, at a time when it wasn't an option for a typical village boy, I'll come out with two degrees. Throw me into that almar mater of apartheid's architect HF Verwoerd (Stellenbosch University), I'll emerge with another degree. Cum Laude nogal. Once I took a decision never again to look for an 8-4 job but start my own business I never looked back. I meet challenges along the way, but I was taught through praise poetry that nothing is insurmountable. My poor, rural upbringing is not going to serve as an excuse or a handicap. 

Sereti Sa Mamokutu and Kgoši Setlamorago Thobejane handing out gifts to best performers at Molotwadi Primary School

My praise name (and praise poem) says I can conquer all. It is for this reason that my motivational speeches are infused with lots of praise poetry. I use praise poetry to reach hearts and souls, motivating young people into action. I use praise poetry to invoke confidence and a sense of self-belief. I give hope where there is none. For I grew up in a hopeless environment but garnered hope and strength through praise poetry. For I believe judging yourself to be capable of success increases your chances of actual success.

Ruins of my childhood home (Seemanong) still standing strong after all these years