A Poem to the President
| by Kemogetsi Joseph Molapong | |
| Country | Namibia |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Township Productions |
| Publication date | 2020 |
| Pages | 80 |
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“A Poem to the President” is a 50-part poem written in 2019 and published in 2020 by Namibian Poet Keamogetsi Joseph Molapong, mostly known to his peers as Mola. The pocket-sized book published by the poet’s own company, Township Productions, is a direct address to the 3rd President of the Republic of Namibia, Hage Geingob posing questions about various social, economic and political issues. However, the emphasis of the poem is to highlight the social ills that have not changed since the transition of the young nation into independence in 1990 and the increase in corruption, even alluding to the Fishrot saga which was a result of Wikileaks in November 2019.[1]
Background of the Poem
Mola is considered to be not a one-dimensional writer[2] as is evident in his past writings. The poet said that he wrote the poem from the need to be heard but more so to share his thoughts and ideas and unspoken issues that would never reach the President’s ears should they be channeled through the usual protocol. Poetry in Africa is often taken to be the voice of the voiceless and an informal channel used to get messages to intended listeners.
In his introductory remarks, Dr. Volker Winterfeldt, a retired lecturer at the University of Namibia (UNAM) and former Head of Department in the Department of Sociology, noted that the poem is a culmination of the poet’s personal anger since he began writing as a schoolboy in 1988 as well as that of the current disenchanted community “with those who abused and abuse the trust and leadership placed in them[3].
1 Poem, 50 Parts
The poem is written in a unique style wherein each stanza has its own title and can be read independently of the others.
- You Came
- A Den Of Failure
- Split Fear
- Uncivil Service
- Schemes And Plots
- Commodities
- Seat Fillers
- With Brightened Complaints
- A Feast Of Kapana
- Tanganyika Elite
- Cadres Of Tanganyika
- Air-Conditioned Deceit
- The Story Of The Oryx
- Our Souls For Their Wealth
- Open Secrets
- Demeanours Of Laughter
- Days End
- Dirty Rifts
- Poisonous Lies
- Tribal Stripes
- Care Less Directorates
- Toxins Of Loyalty
- Bones And Tales
- Intimate Violence
- A Lone Song Of Despair
- Reserved Oppression
- By Gods And Prayers
- Election Crusades
- Drained Afrocentrism
- Bloodstained Rebellion
- HaramBEE Shack
- The Bondage Of Democracy
- Inside Hushed Dungeons
- Mirage 2030
- Political Credo
- Rejected Dreams
- Blind With Colours
- Graceful Mistakes
- Colourful Lies
- Bleeding The Nation
- Flawed Laws
- Withdrawing My Vote
- Dancing To The Tune Of Pain
- The Eagle With One Eye
- The End Of Poverty
- These Comrades Are Useless
- House On Fire
- Philosophy Of Poverty
- ABCeD
- Omake!
The titles reflect the mood of each poem, some referencing the policies put in place by the president (HaramBEE Shack being a mash-up of the Harambee Prosperity Plan and the Black Economic Empowerment Policy).
Poetic Style
Under each sub-title heading of the poem, Mola adopted the style of 12 verses: the first ten verses, making one stanza, highlight the situation of discussion, whilst the other two verses which make up the second stanza speak directly to the president. At times with his known name and in other instances with his traditional name.
References
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