Meet Gorata Onthatile Modirelabangwe, An Introverted Writer And Painter From Botswana
The Mt Kenya Times 
Gorata Onthatile Modirelabangwe
- Who are you?
My name is Gorata Onthatile Modirelabangwe, an introverted writer and painter, intelligent young lady accountant by profession and a lover of authentic spaces and art.
- Where are you from?
I am from a small village of Hukuntsi in Botswana.
- What is your profession?
A Financial Planning and Treasury officer at a state-owned development finance institution, Botswana Development Corporation (“BDC”), with expertise in funding, stakeholder management, cash and capital management (including managing liquidity risk), Financial reporting and periodical budgeting and forecasting.
- Where did you publish it?
I published my book with Valiant Publishers in Gaborone Botswana
- Who is your Illustrator?
I created all my illustrations on the book by using family photos, photos from friends as well as old current photos of myself.
- Did you make an input on cover design?
Yes, I designed the cover myself.
- You best poem from your book,tell us more about that poem!
My favorite poem is the one to my late mother. She passed in 2000, and this letter was meant as a reassurance to her that my brother and I are well and we have achieved things that would have made her proud. I hope she is resting peacefully knowing that.
- Who motivated you to write?
One of my friends, her name is Tshenolo Mowaneng. In my opinion she is the epitome of resilience and through her I found the courage, to face my darkest fears by sharing them in this book.
- What inspired you to write?
Life, I believe our stories are unique and sometimes we look hard enough we find elements of ourselves worth sharing.
- Do you have fans, how do you react to fans?
I think I have people who have appreciated and loved my book for its honesty and relatability. Every time I meet such people, I am always overwhelmed but I am also reminded that what I have shared with the world was indeed worth sharing and that makes me happy.
- Bogus versus legitimate publishers, have you encountered such?
I have met one poet who is legitimate, her name Poloko Otlogetswe with a book titled “The stillness of my dying star.’’
- Merging the books with community service, are you involved in any community service?
Yes, I currently offer tutoring classes to a few University Accounting students.
- How did your faith help in marketing your craft?
One day my physchologist said to me, ‘the biggest sin in life is the sin of despair,’ and I am firm believer of this, the simple notion of just believing that no matter the situation there can always be a turn of events is something that helps craft everyday.
- How many copies did you sell so far? or how many do you plan to sell in near future?
200 copies have been sold, and I plan to sell as many as possible as long as the book continues to serve a greater purpose.
- What is your future plans?
I would like to one day start a creative space for painters and start a writing masterclass to help upcoming writers to perfect their writing skills as well as the publishing process.
Encouragement to up upcoming writers, what can you say?
The greatest feeling is knowing you did it, the other things that come with people reading, loving and criticizing your work are just bonuses.
- How can people get your book?
My book is available in two local book stores; Botswana Book center and Bala Books Botswana. It is also available on Amazon kindle.
- Do you plan to convert your book to an ebook too?
Currently have a digital copy on Amazon Kindle and I am currently looking at prospects of creating an audio book.
- Parting shot or last word!
I want to thank everyone who has been part of this journey with me, my family, friends, publishers, the stores and more especially everyone who took the time to purchase the book. I hope to write many more insightful books, collaborate with other writers and continue to embrace this talent.
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