AN INTERVIEW WITH BOTHATA KENNEDY SILASE
Bothata Kennedy Silase asserts that the youth must decolonize their minds from the ghost of low self-esteem that would in turn , catapult them to a higher orbit and they would later be men and women of renown in their societies.
Are you happy about being an Author?
It really gladdens heart to be an author. Bothata Kennedy Silase is a 30 year old international author, ghost-writer ,speech-writer, orator and a Pan-Africanist from Lesotho.
His first novel- The Recoil which was published by Reach Publishers became one of the best selling books on in international platforms. He is the recipient of the 2021 Commonwealth Writer Competition. He is also the Contestant of Mulher Forte African Literature Pty Ltd Awards which will be held in March 2021 in Botswana. He has collaborated with Paula O.M Otukile, Maggie Waweru Wairimu from Kenya, Elizabeth T.D Taderera from Zimbabwe and Lucky Lumbankira Fernadonas from Tanzania to produce a book called African collaboration with Paula.
He delivered the first memorial lecture of the renowned Mosotho novelist- Thomas Mokopu Mofolo( 1876-1948) at Plush Cafê under the invitation of Kesmet Network on the 29th day of November 2020.His credentials include a novel he named The Recoil 2: Days of the Haunting Past and a memoir dedicated to the doyen of legal practitioner, businessman and politician- Advocate Makhetha Julius Motsoari which he named Against All Odds.
Last but not least, he wrote a biography about a famed businessman- Mr. Martin Poulo and the afore-mentioned book is called The Proof of the Pudding. On the 11th day of December 2020, he was invited to deliver a keynote address at End of Year Youth Closing Event by AMF
Mohalalitoe under the theme ‘ Africa’s Awakening on Religion’.
Lastly,On the 30th day of December 2020, he was recognized by Global Literary Temple(GLT),and he was therefore named their Global Advisor II. He is an active Airman at Lesotho Defence Force with a service of 8 years. He is the country ‘s representative for The PLO Lumumba Foundation in Lesotho and he is also the co- founder of The Bothata Kennedy Silase Foundation.
What's your inspiration as an author?
I have been inspired by my own countryman the renowned novelist- Thomas Mokoppu Mofolo(1876-1948) since in his honor and memory – monumental milestones have been erected. His demise occurred in 1948 but his name is still celebrated and commemorated in the houses of millions.
To name a few, The National University of Lesotho named its library after him in the year 1964 and the International Astronomical Union in the year 1975 named a crater after him on planet mercury at coordinates 37.7°S 28.2°W.
Which books or E-books have you published and which are in pipeline?
How to deal with a "Writer's Block"?
I always let my subconscious do the work!
Any "top tips" for writers starting out?
Many upcoming writers dream to be millionaires and therefore become celebrated over night- I always say do not write for money but write so that even after the dust has settled from your bones people may remember your name and what you stood up for.
What are the problems that you have faced in your author's journey?
I was denied by two publishers in the year 2006.I always quote Kenya’s Pan- Africanist Professor Ali Ali’min Mazrui(1933- 2014) from his famous Television Africa The Triple Heritage. He is as eloquent as he is passionate when he talks about his country and saying,
“ We produce what we do not consume and consume what we do not produce.”
The afore-said mentioned statement is topical in Lesotho since we have theses and books that international societies recognize but our education system opt for book from outside the border of Lesotho at the detriment of Lesotho Authors. Lack of publishing house is a serious issue because we have to publish beyond the borders of Lesotho and that attracts hefty prices during currency conversion.
How do you approach the Writing Process? Do you have a set routine or does it vary?
The way I write novels varies from the way I write memoirs since with novels I always want to write stories that will impact positively on communities and bring change but suffice it to say, when it comes to memoirs I write strictly about a certain individual.
For you , what makes a great story?
A story that unglues certain unhygienic practices ,norms and behaviors that are detrimental to our very existence.
What genre of books do you create and why you chose it?
I always opt for fiction narrative since it gives me an inclination to mold character to whatever message I want to pass to the reader.
Where can people contact you ?
My facebook page is called Bothata Kennedy Silase. I also have an account under the same name.
My contact numbers are (+266)58132043/62132043 and they both have WhatsApp.
A final parting word of advice?
It was Jean Baptiste Alphonse Karr(1808-1890) in his journal Les Guêpes in the January issue wrote in French and said, “ Plus ça change,plus c`est la même chose”- the more things change, the more things remain the same with the minds of our Interllengitsia.
Kenyan’s renowned Pan-Africanist Professor Ali Ali’min Mazrui (1933-2014) in one of his many enlightened moments once said and I agree that, God gave us wisdom not to abandon logic to prayer and fasting because logic is an aspect of prayer. We cannot continue fishing by climbing trees.
