Cynthia Thanda

Tsaone Bejile was just 12 years old when she wrote her first poem. But she would only discover her passion for art at the age of 15.

Now 21 years old and a student at the University of Botswana studying for her Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Chemistry, she eats and breathes poetry.

She raved in an interview with The Pan Afrikanist about her passion for the art. She loves writing and it is all she knows. She can’t go a day without either writing it or reading poetry.

Although her passion involves being in an audience, Tsaone is shy. However, most people who know her say that she is loud. So, she is a living contradiction. Her ambition is simple. She wants more people to know poetry, which she feels, is a forgotten art.

She hails from a village called Nkange in the Central District. But she considers Maun her home because it is where she grew up. She was raised by a self-employed father and a teacher of a mother who watered her poetry.

According to Tsaone, poetry is subjective. She loves how a single poem can be interpreted differently. It is a puzzle just how a poem can evoke feelings one never imagined!

“Ever since I started being an instapoet, I love the feedback I get from strangers all around the world and I love collaborating with amazing poets I meet online. What I love most about my work is being able to get inspiration for a poem at the most random times, sometimes while I am studying or out with friends”, Tsaone said.

One of the challenges Tsaone faces as a poet is writer’s block. That’s when she can go for days unable to write anything. Those days tend to be longer because she is used to writing but without the right kind of inspiration, she finds it hard to jot anything down.

One of her greatest achievements is finally deciding to publish her poems on Instagram. Here, she gets to reach a lot of people who don’t know her and they give her their honest opinions that she uses to improve her writing.

Additionally, she has gained quite a following on her writing page in a very short time. She has also managed to open a poetry store called Poetry Store BW where she creates various framed poetry prints which are often used for decorating or simply as a gift.

Miss Bejile writes all types of poems – from short to long poems. But short poems are her go-to. That is because people see thousands of poems online. So, they tend to prefer short ones. Most of Tsaone’s poems are about love. She strongly believes that love is the miracle cure for all ills.

Nevertheless, Tsaone’s pen can write just about anything. Her inspiration is love, hurt, and loss. She has always been in love with the idea of love. Even before she knew what love was! Whenever she gets stuck, she remembers what love means to her.

Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Tsaone has not been able to attend any poetry shows. Instead, she always attends poetry slams online either on Instagram Live, or YouTube. Her favourite poetry shows are the ones hosted by Button Poetry. She hopes to get to perform with them someday.

Tsaone has only come across a few poets who publicize their works online. Her favourite poet in Botswana is norvaltheland, which is his Instagram handle. She enjoys his writing because his writing technique is unique.

But why present her poetry in English and not in Setswana?

Tsaone reckons Setswana is a beautiful language and she would be open to writing a poem or two in it. But, she feels the poem would not have the same impact. That’s for the simple fact that most English words have synonyms whilst Setswana is limited.

In any case, she wants to reach a much bigger audience!

Tsaone plans to publish a poetry book and to make poetry lively and great in Botswana. She feels there is so much to be done in the poetry space. She dreams of poetry slams and open mic sessions.

Besides poetry, Tsaone writes short stories, although she has never published any.

Here is a taste of her wordplay

Just a simple glimpse of you
Had my heart caught up in a frenzy
In the moment I was more convinced
That forever is not a measure of time
But rather a measure of the feeling

So maybe you and I could be the outlier
In a world where no one really believes in love
After all, love is the footnote
Of our existence

But I am just a poet
Nothing much to offer but
My love notes
And if they do not make it clear
I do not know what will but…
I am never letting you go

Tsaone’s work can be accessed at:

@viol.nerd.poetry_on Instagram and Poetry Store BW on Facebook