Edwin Moroka, widely known as Serurubele, is a traditional poet on a mission to make Botswana culture more appealing to the youth.
He is a seasoned poet with a firm belief that a well-rounded individual should take pride in their heritage. Serurubele is dedicated to advocating for and preserving the rich cultural traditions of Botswana.
He usually takes the stage with his seditse (flywhisk) and dressed in stylish traditional leather clothes, including a cowboy leather hat, and recites freely for the audience.
He has previously performed before elite leaders, including the President of Botswana, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, and other world dignitaries. On stage, he captivates audiences with his unique Setswana lines and deep knowledge of current affairs.
The poet often loses track of time when absorbed in his art during events so much that the director of ceremonies is compelled to ask him to conclude his performance.
Serurubele holds a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health and a Diploma in Healthcare Management from IDM University. His talent has spared him from the shackles of poverty, allowing him to rely on his skills to put food on the table.
"I am always willing to learn, and I do not only entertain through poems, but I also educate. As a poet, I believe I am a trusted source of information," he said.
On stage, the talented poet can recall even the toughest names of dignitaries who visit the country and state the purpose of their visits. He told The Midweek Sun that he learns and improves himself with each performance, viewing it as a challenge.
Reciting before knowledgeable audiences pushes him to deepen his understanding of his own story. He has secured radio slots on one of the local stations, where he broadcasts his programme, Sekhutlwana sa Bannye, designed to empower aspiring poets and teach children the mother tongue through poems.
"There are children who struggle to understand or speak Setswana. Through Sekhutlwana sa Bannye, I visit schools to teach these children Setswana and poetry. My dream is to see future generations embracing and preserving our language and cultural heritage," Serurubele stated.
After being the top student in all his courses at university, he never bothered to apply for a job in the health sector. Instead, he realised that many Batswana were not interested in knowing their roots.
"All stories of our culture should be appealing to Batswana; everyone should love Setswana and our heritage. Through Sekhutlwana sa Bannye, we instil confidence in children, which naturally makes them excellent public speakers," he noted.
He encouraged other poets to avoid being overly needy. Further, urging them to collaborate and organise bigger events that can benefit them.
"I am open to collaborations or partnerships. I often work with local seasoned poets and mentors to learn from them as well," he said.
The talented poet urged local poets to also take themselves seriously by investing in their education and reading extensively. He attributed the belief that art does not generate money to a lack of collaborations and partnerships.
Serurubele says stage fright is always present when he recites before dignitraries like the president, and is something that never entirely goes away. However, he views it as a challenge that keeps him sharp and focused.
"It's natural to feel nervous, but I use that energy to enhance my performance and connect with the audience," he explained. "Performing before such esteemed individuals pushes me to constantly improve and deliver my best," he said.
Serurubele has big dreams for poetry and aims to see Sekhutlwana sa Bannye expand fully across local schools.
“My goal is to create a lasting impact on the younger generation, helping them embrace their culture and develop their skills," he stated.
He is a seasoned poet with a firm belief that a well-rounded individual should take pride in their heritage. Serurubele is dedicated to advocating for and preserving the rich cultural traditions of Botswana.
He usually takes the stage with his seditse (flywhisk) and dressed in stylish traditional leather clothes, including a cowboy leather hat, and recites freely for the audience.
He has previously performed before elite leaders, including the President of Botswana, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, and other world dignitaries. On stage, he captivates audiences with his unique Setswana lines and deep knowledge of current affairs.
The poet often loses track of time when absorbed in his art during events so much that the director of ceremonies is compelled to ask him to conclude his performance.
Serurubele holds a Bachelor's Degree in Public Health and a Diploma in Healthcare Management from IDM University. His talent has spared him from the shackles of poverty, allowing him to rely on his skills to put food on the table.
"I am always willing to learn, and I do not only entertain through poems, but I also educate. As a poet, I believe I am a trusted source of information," he said.
On stage, the talented poet can recall even the toughest names of dignitaries who visit the country and state the purpose of their visits. He told The Midweek Sun that he learns and improves himself with each performance, viewing it as a challenge.
Reciting before knowledgeable audiences pushes him to deepen his understanding of his own story. He has secured radio slots on one of the local stations, where he broadcasts his programme, Sekhutlwana sa Bannye, designed to empower aspiring poets and teach children the mother tongue through poems.
"There are children who struggle to understand or speak Setswana. Through Sekhutlwana sa Bannye, I visit schools to teach these children Setswana and poetry. My dream is to see future generations embracing and preserving our language and cultural heritage," Serurubele stated.
After being the top student in all his courses at university, he never bothered to apply for a job in the health sector. Instead, he realised that many Batswana were not interested in knowing their roots.
"All stories of our culture should be appealing to Batswana; everyone should love Setswana and our heritage. Through Sekhutlwana sa Bannye, we instil confidence in children, which naturally makes them excellent public speakers," he noted.
He encouraged other poets to avoid being overly needy. Further, urging them to collaborate and organise bigger events that can benefit them.
"I am open to collaborations or partnerships. I often work with local seasoned poets and mentors to learn from them as well," he said.
The talented poet urged local poets to also take themselves seriously by investing in their education and reading extensively. He attributed the belief that art does not generate money to a lack of collaborations and partnerships.
Serurubele says stage fright is always present when he recites before dignitraries like the president, and is something that never entirely goes away. However, he views it as a challenge that keeps him sharp and focused.
"It's natural to feel nervous, but I use that energy to enhance my performance and connect with the audience," he explained. "Performing before such esteemed individuals pushes me to constantly improve and deliver my best," he said.
Serurubele has big dreams for poetry and aims to see Sekhutlwana sa Bannye expand fully across local schools.
“My goal is to create a lasting impact on the younger generation, helping them embrace their culture and develop their skills," he stated.