Mohalenyane Phakela

THE inaugural Poetry and Arts Festival held on Thursday lived up to its billing as a host of wordsmiths took to the stage much to the delight of revellers.

South African poet, actor and writer, Lebo Mashile, was the headline act at the festival held at AVANI Maseru Hotel along with the local contingent of Mpho Sefali, Makhala “PoeticSoul” Soaphe and Rethabile Lechesa.

However, some poets who were part of the audience were also given the opportunity to showcase their lyrical prowess by MC, Thabo Rantsoabe.

In her performance, Mashile touched on the challenges women face and encouraged them to stay strong.

In one verse she said: “Beauty is our inheritance, so let us inhale it to exhale discipline. We can live lies but love does not pretend. Let us seek answers in our own voices before seeking them somewhere else.

“Let’s teach our children to be love and not to search for love. Transform legacies of pain into hope for a better tomorrow. If you love yourself, they will hate you and would rather build a shrine on your pain.”

The local wordsmiths did not disappoint, with Sefali starting her performance with a traditional Sesotho prayer that brought the house down.

Soaphe and Lechesa oozed confidence despite the festival being the teenagers’ debut performance. Their poetry carried messages of hope and love.