Celebrating International Mother Tongue Day With Daisy Peloewetse Books

By: Paula .O.M Otukile

There is a need to celebrate this mother tongue in Botswana because one woman is on a mission to thrive and grow in terms of literature.

Ms Peloewetse wrote a book called Lolo the Lost preggy and translated it into various mother tongues so that many kids can enjoy it too. The book is in Setswana, Portuguese, English, Xitsonga.

29 December 2024 almost two months ago she was honored in Giyani, South Africa for her promotion of Xitsonga Literature at the 2024 Xitsonga Literary awrds, held at Xulumani hotel, in Giyani.

Ms Daisy Peloewetse was born and raised in Tutume village in Botswana where this love for mother tongue was nurtured. She paid homage to her kalanga roots by writing a book called Bena the Domboshaba heroine, still on the promotion of mother tongue as it is a story about a young girl who turns to be a complete heroine after outsmarting a crook who tried to hurt her grandmother.

Ms Peloewetse emphasized the need for Africans to stand their ground and promote their language and be proud of their heritage as it is a good thing.

She complemented the young generation for now having the money to write in their mother tongue online and also developing apps in their mother tongue.

The day marks a jubilant mood for Ms Peloewetse as it has been her long dream to be an author and it came as a triple portion of two books and an anti pregnancy campaign as well as a translation series that promotes indigenous languages and set literature up on fire in terms of relevancy at a time when schools fight a lot of malice and teenage pregnancy and drug abuse being at the fore front.

Ms Peloewetse added that she is grateful to her children who supported her in writing and kickstarting her projects as it bring them closer in terms of discussing the topics relevant to their age and everyday experiences.

In conclusion Ms Peloewetse pleads with Guidance and counseling teachers not to be tired from talking about abstinence at a tender age so that the children finish school first before they could indulge in any relationships.