Red Song ... Keorapetse Kgositsile

"Poetry has been an integral part of the struggle. Nineteen-ninety-four was not the end of the struggle. Human existence on this planet is a struggle and might always be. And perhaps without that life might have been ridiculously boring and not worth living," says Professor Keorapetse Kgositsile on the iStart2 Show. 

Born in 1938, Keorapetse ‘Willie’ Kgositsile left South Africa in 1961 and lived in exile in the United States and returned to South Africa in 1990. The recipient of many poetry awards; amongst others, inaugurated as the South African Poet Laureate and the National Order of Ikhamanga Silver (OIS) for excellent achievements in the field of literature.

Keorapetse Kgositsile asks some pertinent questions: "Do we have the material basis for transformation? Is there a capitalist society anywhere on this planet with a human face? Why don't we have arts and culture as part of the curriculum of the education system?" He believes that the responsibility for creating a sustainable world lies in accepting that this responsibility belongs to all of us. "South African literature does not need me as much as I need it. We must do what we do with humility and respect. I am just a contributor to an ongoing process"

Thank you to our icon of South African poetry for sharing his story, for reciting his poem Red Song in his own voice and for sharing his wisdom and advice on creating a sustainable world through the arts.

To listen to the full interview and Vusi Mahlasela's rendition of Red Song, just click play below:




Thought of the Day:

Video of the week:

Vusi Mahlasela's Red Song from the poem by Keorapetse Kgositsile:

Hope you've had an inspiring Freedom Day this week! We wish you a restful Worker's Day and a safe long weekend ahead! Have fun!

- The iStart2 Team