POLOKWANE – Heritage month recognises aspects of South African culture which are both tangible and intangible.

During the month of September, creative expressions such as music and dance, our historical inheritance as well as cultural practices, languages spoken, the food eaten are celebrated.

Embracing her culture and traditions as a Pedi young woman, Koketso Tshoga, otherwise known as Heatistic Poet, is a poet at heart. Born and bred in Turfloop, Mankweng, Tshoga says she’s been writing poems since she was in high school.

“What inspires me is that written and spoken literature has the power to evoke dialogue and cause people to share ideas and skills about life surviving skills. It also allows for people such as myself to express our feelings and views about life in general. I learn about deep fears, strength and weaknesses about myself that I never thought I doubt I would have known if it was not for poetry and the skill and passion for creative writing,” she explained.

Culture

Identified by the strikes of knowledge fathom by gods to generations yet to be born.

Riches granted

Sound the horn atop mountains

Oil spills from the hills of our lands

to the top of our heads

Sucked from our mothers

oozing from the tip of our tongues

down to mudhuts made of sweat, thatched together by strength

Men draped in glory,

spiting truth

after serenading our minds

to remind us of the healing power of the marimba

on to our hands

buttered with refined oil

to build kraals

for our loved ones to belong

shielded

baptized in the calabash

to hold life

down to the stiffened thighs

from the ritual dances

to the feet that touched foreign lands

bejewelled with the beads of honour

make way

to the valleys to check the treasures of those who came before us.

Their embroids engraved to the lands below

to keeps us at bay

in our homesteads

Reporter29@nmgroup.co.za