Mma wa ka Montedi

Growing up, I went to a crèche called Montedi (“the one who nurtures”). I didn’t know then how meaningful that name was - “the one who nurtures.” As I got older, the significance slowly revealed itself.

My mother recited this setero (poem or traditional recitation) so often that the words carved themselves into my memory. And being who I am — analytical, reflective, always searching for meaning — I revisited the poem when I became a mother myself. As expected, I understood it differently. I understood her differently.

The journey since then has held its own therapy, reflection, and the gentle work of confronting wounds - both the ones I knew and the ones I only discovered later. But in that process, something beautiful happened: my mother and I found a friendship. A tenderness. A seeing of each other beyond roles and history.

And listen, ke winnile jackpot (I truly hit the jackpot) - not only in the woman whose body brought me into this world, but in the woman who raised me with everything she had. I am, because she is.

This piece is my offering. My gratitude. My honouring of Mma wa ka Montedi (My Mother, the One Who Nurtures Me).

Mma waka Montedi, mma waka morategi

My mother my nurturer, my mother the one who embodies love

Ke rile ke sale lelobana, a nnosetsa kaba ka gola

Since I was a child, she nurtured me so I could grow

Ka lla ke mo hlakisa

When I cried, she comforted me

A lala a eme ka maoto boshego bjohle

She stayed up on her feet all night long

A mpepa ke sekisitse meokgo

She carried me even when I was soaked in tears

A ntlhokosetsa kaba ka homola

She soothed me until I was calm

Le mola ke lliswa ke tlala

Even when hunger made me cry

Ke ekwa ka maleng go sena selo

I felt the emptiness in my stomach

Ke inyokagana, ke itshokaganya

I thirsted, I endured

Mma waka a mpha dijo tse bose

My mother gave me delicious food

A mpha ditima sello, a mpha di lebatsa pelo

She gave me things that silenced my cries, that comforted my heart

Teng ye khubedu lege e hloka leshoko

Her red heart, even without rest

Teng ye khubedu lege e ntsene ka maatla

Her red heart, filled me with strength

Hubeng sa mma waka ka hwetsa boruthu

In my mother’s embrace, I found warmth

Ditho tse babago tsa hwetsa go thobja

Painful limbs found relief

Tlhokomelo le kgodisho e kaaka

Such care and nurturing

Phepo le pabalelo e bjalo

Such nourishment and protection

Ke mashilo fela ao aka di lebalang

These are treasures I can never forget

Ke dibodu fela tse ka shayang tebogo

These are blessings that deserve gratitude

Lege nka atlega bjang bophelong bjono

Even if I succeed greatly in this life

Lege nka godiswa bjang ke merafo ka moka

Even if I am raised by all nations

Lege maruo nka a bala ka makgolokgolo

Even if I count riches in the thousands

Gaka ka mehla ke gopola wena

Still, I will always remember you

Mohloka mathomo, le mohloka bofelo hle ke yena

The one without beginning or end, truly it is her

Ake a ntire yeo a hlokomelang

Let her do the work of caring for me

Go bao ba ntshipidisitsego boshego

To those who have troubled me at night

Ke ba leboga bosele

I thank them with sincerity