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PHOTO: BONGANI MNGUNI

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Last week, the 11-year-old poet was crowned the winner of the third season of the show.

The little girl, from Mahikeng, North West, beat ballroom dancers Cameron and Donlynn - and the PJ Twins - to win R250,000 and a public address system.

The money will be held in a trust fund until Botlhale turns 18.

She did receive the PA system.

Her parents, Lebone and Mumsy Boikanyo, are happy their daughter won.

Botlhale told Sowetan her mother was her true mentor when she started writing and reading poetry as a 6-year-old.

On winning the competition on Thursday night, she said: "I had faith that I would win because I was fasting and praying all the time for God to put me in the finals."

She said poets Lebo Mashile and Ntsiki Mazwai were her chief source of inspiration.

"I love their poems and how they narrate them with so much passion."

Botlhale performs at schools, churches, weddings and at government-sponsored events.

"I performed a poem at the finale written by my mother, which took me about two days to rehearse and recite perfectly. It was about moral degeneration and asking people what has happened to the spirit of ubuntu."

Her mother said Botlhale had always been attracted to the arts.

Apart from poetry, Botlhale enjoys reading, visual arts, dancing and singing.

This article was first published in the printed newspaper on 22 October 2012

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Comments

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Wed Jun 19 05:34:59 SAST 2013 ::

Oct 23, 2012

Tpaz!!

Parents please don't chow that R250k
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Oct 23, 2012

Papoose

This lil girl is GREAT...
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Oct 23, 2012

warry

Yah baby, good luck and behave good when you grow up. Don't end up being like many child stars growing up. Know the media are hawks preying on dead animals.
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Oct 23, 2012

ayobaness

i also voted for her
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Oct 23, 2012

Milk-Shake

Flawless.... I'm gonna name my 1st born Bothlale as well **Inspired**
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Oct 23, 2012

Seja-Bana

good luck girl, go and set a good example for the upcomming. stay disciplined avoid being in lime light. do the right thing and may God bless you
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Oct 23, 2012

Shredder

That's what I like about kids. They know that God exists.They even know who created the world.

I am happy for you Botlhale. @sinudeity - Botlhale means intelligence also intelligent :-D
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Oct 23, 2012

Facess

Got to say, South Africans are petty people. if you look at winners of competitions we have, if we dont vote for a person because they are handicapped, it will be because they are children or from poor background. the same happened last year with the same competition and with the I wanna sing gospel as well. can we just vote on merit, talented she is but there were also better acts there who deserved to win!
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Oct 23, 2012

madamx

She a very talented kid.
love her!
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Oct 23, 2012

BEAUTYPRINCESS

I JUST LOVE THIS CHILD, So matured at such a young age. Even when she's beeing interviewed she speaks like an adult.Her parents are very blessed to have a child like that. All the best with everything baby girl.
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