IHRAM African Writing Associate Mbizo Chirasha in an inclusive interview with Botswana Writer, live art curator and arts organizer Paula Omphile Otukile

MC: Who is Pequeno Paulihna  (Paula Omphile Otukile)?
Pequeno Paulihna: A woman who loves telling stories, founder of •Mulher Forte African literature a literary consulting company, founder of Francistown international book festival, founder of Read Africa Bala “RAB”project that deals with reviving reading through book club initiatives across Africa.

MC: What do you write and how many  of your writings are published and also mention them including the publishers?
Pequeno Paulihna: I have got so many books, my first book Overcoming failure was published by the writers Pen publishers in Kenya and Poetry soup book anthology, However have collaborated with Angolan Henrique Sungo who resides in the Uk on Minha raizes, minha roupas a book for kids that tells a story of African clothes, my best seller is a book translated into five international languages named Thato wishes to be a butterfly.

MC: What are other community, national or international projects you are doing  beside writing?
Pequeno Paulihna: I Am a Gender based violence activist, have given talks in South Africa, Botswana my country and donated more than 10, 0000 books in 24 schools in Botswana and South Africa of the Gbv children’s book Thato wishes to be a butterfly.

MC: How are writers, books, poets and artists appreciated in Botswana?
Pequeno Paulihna: The sales are minimum but the government is very supportive, there are youth Grant, Cipa grant and many opportunities such organizations like COSBOTS a copyright society ensures that poets and artists are well taken care of.

MC: Have you ever done any work  on creative justice and freedom expression, if so  how is that received in your country?
Pequeno Paulihna: I have been a Gbv activist since my journey began and international community sponsors and support my work, government also collaborate without much ado.

MC: How are traits of democracy  respected in your country , that includes transparency , good governance and gender equality?
Pequeno Paulihna: We got Ditshwanelo which is human rights organization here in Botswana, we also enjoy democracy as in we write how we feel, got freedom of expression and as women we got privileges of doing whatever we want without restrictions based on gender, Botswana is the best country for an artist or creative today.

MC: How many awards have you  won in your country and abroad, mention some and the countries that awarded  you?
Pequeno Paulihna: I lost count I was born a winner, shout out to Ghana for my recent honor of Volta Fashion week 2024, for my Literacy reading project, was indeed second award as I was honored last year by an Executive group of companies on African public service awards, Kenya also awarded me for being a young African achiever 2023, and I was a speaker in Sandton Rsa and was awarded too for Gbv activism.
Zambia Zikomo named me best author 2022, Africa Shinning star awards 2023 named me best author 2023 too, am so grateful.

MC: I understand you are  an academic, what you have you studiedand how was the educational experience|?
Pequeno Paulihna: I am a humanities alumni. It was fulfilling because at the end I am living my dream.

MC: Where do you draw your inspiration and how do you juggle your professional and social gigs?
Pequeno Paulihna: One got to be choosy for at the end balance is important otherwise one end dry in pocket.

MC: What is your parting shot to young writers and social /creative entrepreneurs in Botswana?
Pequeno Paulihna: Study get something to do, work or business can put in income, books are a hobby in our country for now, find something that can sustain you, and do books part time. Very few survive with books.

Paula. O. M. Otukile was born in Mahalapye, Botswana. She is the founder of Mulher Forte African literature awards. She is a gender based violence and sexual abuse activist having won two international awards in Monrovia, Liberia and Delta state, Nigeria. Snr Paula. O. M. Otukile is a mentor and an author of diverse African languages and linguistic literature books, her children’s book “Thato Wishes to be a Butterfly” has been honored in Global AfriCAN honorary authors awards in South Africa in July 2021.