Lessons and Letters, the book launch

What happens when you combine poetry with music and dance? A musical, right? Well, not quite.

On 27 September 2025, at Molapo Crossing’s in-house theatre, Keabetswe Molotsi launched her debut and much-anticipated poetry collection Lessons and Letters. The event was not a conventional book launch—it was an avant-garde performance. Interpretive dance, live music, and spoken word converged into a multi-sensory showcase. I expected a simple reading followed by a snake of a line. Instead, we were greeted with layered artistic expressions that expanded her words beyond the page. The standing ovation confirmed the audience’s satisfaction and cemented her contribution to Botswana’s literary scene. In this regard, this review serves to archive the memorable event as a standalone piece. A book review of her anthology will follow soon.

Who is Molotsi?

To her students, she is “Miss.” To peers, she is KB. But on stage, she is Keabetswe Molotsi, an emerging writer carving her place on the local literary scene. A lawyer turned teacher, she won the 2023 Kendeka Prize for her eerie short story Matlaharwe and is now pushing her name out with a much-needed spark of innovation.

The Book Launch

The room was full, not just with anticipation but with fans. Her show was sold out. Among the audience, one could find friends, family and colleagues of the author. Taking in the air of anticipation, dancer Samantha Claire opened the show by enacting a butterfly breaking from its cocoon—a living metaphor for Molotsi’s own emergence as a poet, rising out of her inhibition to publicise her work. Claire’s spasmodic movements across the stage, ending in a proud stance, echoed the imagery of Molotsi’s centrepiece poem “Ode to a Butterfly.”

This motif of transformation resonated further: the cover of Lessons and Letters depicts a dreamy-eyed girl surrounded by golden butterflies, tying page, stage, and imagery together.

The music shaped the mood—melancholy saxophone lines, sparse keys, and bursts of percussion built tension as Molotsi recited the “seven lessons” anchoring her book. Supporting acts reinforced the themes of her work: , growth, heartbreak, self-love and perseverance. Singer and composer Ayanda deepened the emotional resonance thanks to her soulful alto refrains, while dancers Claire and Klutch embodied poems of heartbreak and betrayal, turning text into movement.

Performance Critique

Molotsi’s ambition was clear, but her delivery showed areas for growth. Her vocal dynamics remained too controlled, often flattening the emotional weight of her poems. Greater play with tone, rhythm, and annunciation would bring her words to life. Similarly, her showmanship lagged behind the theatrical format—she recited as a poetess rather than embodying the persona within her poems. This could be felt by the audience. 

The choice of free verse, reminiscent of Rupi Kaur’s minimalist style, posed its own challenges. Without rhyme or strong rhythmic scaffolding, the work risked slipping back into “reading” rather than full performance. Phrases like “dear reader,” effective on the page, felt distancing on stage, creating a disconnect with the live audience.

Still, knowing Molotsi as a reserved creative, it is worth noting that stepping into such a demanding mixed-media format represents not just artistic ambition, but personal courage.

Verdict

Lessons and Letters – the book launch – was bold, original, and innovative—a synthesis of spoken word, dance, and live music. Audience engagement stayed high, thanks to the interplay of acts and effects, preventing monotony and keeping the energy alive. The performance did not leave anyone indifferent. It was both educational and experimental, pushing the boundaries of what a poetry recital can be.

All aspiring artists could learn from Molotsi’s willingness example to calculate risks, test and expand the genre for local audiences. The event hinted at even more to come, as she announced her plans for a short story collection. Stay tuned.

For those interested, Lessons and Letters is available directly from the author directly.