Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Sunday June 30, 2024 11:12
Life Is A Matter of Choice And Other Stories book cover PIC MORERI SEJAKGOMO
In an interview with Arts&Culture, the freelance journalist who works for one of the local newspapers, pointed out that, in the line of his journalistic work, he interviewed the leader of Botswana Institute for Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Offenders (BIRRO). He said after the interview, he was inspired to come up with the book. He said they later thought of coming up with a non-fiction book where ex-convicts would confess their experiences. “Just at point of takeoff, we thought of getting funding. We approached American Embassy for sponsorship (grant). One of the embassy’s requirements was presentation (attachment) of financial report. My friends could not do this. It drowned our relationship. I had already done very few interviews, popping out my insufficient funds but had little to do with information gathered. I later opted for edified version, which turns out to be this very small book,” he said. Life Is A Matter of Choice And Other Stories was published this month at Denjebuya Graphics and Publishing. It has 10 stories (chapters) and 88 pages.
Furthermore, Letsholo said his decision to write the book came because he was worried by incidents of alcohol and drug abuse in the country. He added that he believed he could use his writing skills to contribute towards bringing change. The book is fiction, with some edited interviews from ex convicts and those who experienced hardships associated with alcohol and drug abuse. When writing the short stories, he said he was motivated by the fact that he was sharing information of national concern. He added that his target audience was upper primary school pupils and junior secondary students.
He added that he received positive feedback from those who have read the book. “I also sometimes create concepts for multimedia programme on environmental sustainable development and climate change. I also took part in writing competitions including the first writing competition organised by Bessie Head Foundation short story competitions and got third position. In the near future, I want to be a renowned writer, writing both English and Setswana books. I will be writing both fiction and non-fiction. However, in the book I like chapters seven and eight most because they touch the depths of drug and alcohol abuse. I do freelance reporting. I am the winner of FCB print media award (environmental reporting). I also do part of filming for environment, sustainable development and climate charge,” he added.
