By Paula O. M. Otukile
Gaborone
Botswana
Books are getting fashionable as more people see the need to read and write, and it is so beautiful to see the youth writers increasing in large numbers across the continent.
Mt. Kenya Times Editor Dr Paula O.M. Otukile interviewed Gaolathe Srinath on her upcoming function with her partners of the Beyond Books organization.
The founder Gaolatlhe Wame Setsile Srinath of the organization called BEYOND BOOKS ORGANIZATION she have a team of three dedicated ladies; Kutlwano Nonofo Molome,Gothata Courtney Gopolang and Motshidisi Ramhitshana. We are all in the profession of Social Work.The organisation was founded in September 2023.
Gaolatlhe is full of energy and enthusiasm at the prospect of making the book writers known and giving the upcoming ones exposure, she does it in style with a team of a dedicated trio and they are embarking on an awesome book launch on the 22 September 2023.
The organisation was founded on grounds to cultivate the culture of writing and reading in Botswana and Africa at large. We have a Creative Writing Mentorship Program that seeks to identify upcoming writers or aspiring writers, unearth their talent and nurture them into authors. Their services include Writing Mentorship, Book Publishing, editing and Proofreading, creative writing classes, Bookclub reading sessions, and profiling authors to help them network and build a community of literature enthusiasts for easy benchmarking as well as promoting upcoming writers to help them market their work. They currently profile authors all over Africa through book reviews on social media at no cost.
CHALLENGES FACED
Mostly they face challenges such as recruiting new creative talent as there is need for support and exposure for more people to know of our services and accessing them. There is also a challenge of funds to assist especially the youth who are aspiring writers to reach their dreams since they are not financially able to sponsor themselves, so mostly we volunteer to mentor them and use their own funds to avail their services to them. They therefore extend a request to sponsors out there to assist in collaborating supporting and awakening literature enthusiasm in the youth.
LAUNCH
They will be officially launching BEYOND BOOKS ORGANIZATION on the 22nd of September 2024 from 2pm to 6pm at Mo’s Open Table, Fairgrounds. A ticket only goes for P100.
They highly encourage aspiring writers to come and network with like-minded individuals and kick start their own journeys.
For any collaborations, volunteering or ticket kindly contact+26777370172
Our email is: greatnessbeyondthepages.bborg@gmail.com
One can also follow us on FACEBOOK: BEYOND BOOKS ORGANIZATION or follow their PODCAST channel: BOOKISH MOMENTS WITH KUTLWANO
Her advice to upcoming writers is that ‘ Procrastination is number one enemy and time will never be right or enough to write; so make writing a habit. Don’t fear what people might say about your writing, write that which you enjoy and people will enjoy it along with you. Challenges will always come but what drives you is much bigger.’
Photo: Gaolatlhe Wame Setsile Srinath – Director and Bookclub Manager
Kutlwano Nonofo Molome- Podcast Manager & Creative Mentorship Program Overseer
Gothata Courtney Gopolang- Production and Marketing Manager & Community engagement overseer
Motshidisi Ramhitshana – Bookstore Manager & Talent Acquisition specialist