Ngoni Dapira

WITH his philosophical poetry and mastery as a wordsmith, the 29 year old journalist cum versatile artist, Shingirai Manyengavana, is fast making a name for himself through his emotive vernacular spoken word poetry on social media which is getting over 2K views instantly.

Albert Nyathi

The young man who hails from the high density suburb of Sakubva in the eastern border city of Mutare is now being equated as the 21^st century version of Zimbabwe’s celebrated poet Albert Nyathi of the Senzeni Na (What did we do?) poem, which was also turned into a spoken word poetry song that became a chart buster in the early 1990s. Just like Nyathi whose passionate, lively and dramatic execution of spoken word poetry and theatrical representations of iconic figures engages audiences of all ages, Manyengavana’s passion and stage presence is exceptional.

Manyengavana a correspondent for Easterntimeszim (ETZ), but also a spoken word poet and actor, mostly into theatre, is a raw talent and jack of trades in the arts sector.  ETZ decided to interview him to find out the man behind the mind boggling spoken word poetry that he posts on his social media platforms. Some spark controversy, like ‘Muchazongonzwa kuti ndafa (February 2024)’ and ‘The Headline (July 2024)’, whilst some like his recent dedication to pregnant mothers titled ‘Matinatsa (July 2024)’ are very emotive pieces.

Manyengavana (standing) performing in a theatre play.

Poetry can be defined as a form of literature that celebrates the abstraction and beauty of words. The purpose of the poem is to explore human conditions through the power of imagery and metaphor. As a content creator, Manyengavana said he explores day to day experiences and puts them on paper. He said instead of remaining quiet as a youth, he has embraced spoken word poetry as his artistic gift and uses it to inspire other youths about how poetry is beautiful and expressive. He said he goes to schools and does road shows in the ghettos, reciting his spoken word poetry as a way of edutainment. Inspired by the music of Winky D whom he calls his spiritual father in the arts sector, Manyengavana said he too is preaching the positive consciousness gospel among youths as his proactive way of making a difference and using his talent to make money as a content creator.

Shingirai Manyengavana

Although some spoken word poetry may also be published on a page as a poem, the genre has its roots in story telling (oral traditions) and performance. Spoken word can also encompass elements of rap, hip-hop, storytelling, theatre and jazz music as a contemporary art.

Last year his poem won the United Nations Tax Convention Youth Challenge which he said was another morale booster that encouraged him to keep on pursuing his passion. Last month he was also the only Manicaland artist that was part of the Voice2Rep Zimbabwe national competition that finds the best first-time artists and supports them to use their voices to influence social norms. The campaign was an initiative of Accountability Lab Zimbabwe implemented in partnership with Magamba Network. Below is the interview with Manyengavana.

Qn: What inspires your poetry?

I draw inspiration from real-life experiences and the people around me. The things that happen in our daily lives, both within and beyond our control, fuel my creative expression.

Qn: Your poetry often touches on social commentary. How do people respond to your work, especially when it addresses sensitive matters?

While some people may be afraid to confront the truths I address, many can relate to my message. Politicians, in particular, have been known to manipulate artists like myself to push their agendas. However, I remain committed to my art, even when it’s challenging.

Qn: Can we say you are also a political activist or just an artist?

I’m an artist, not a political activist. As my spiritual father Winky Dee says, “Ini ndiri muimbi chete handina pfumo kana bakatwa” – I’m an artist waving a white flag of peace. My focus is on creating art that inspires and uplifts and speaks the truth about the day to day lived experiences of people in general. I do not do politics but focus on sharing lived experiences and conscientize my fellow youths about important social issues.

Qn: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? How did you become an artist?

I’m a 29-year-old journalist turned artist. I am a qualified journalist with a Journalism and Communication diploma from Christian College of Southern Africa (CCOSA), but I discovered that art was the best way for me to express myself, speak my truth and find happiness. As a published prolific writer and vernacular spoken word artist, I always strive to create meaningful and thought provoking poetry. At the 2017 National Arts Merit Awards (NAMAs) I was honoured with a nomination for the Outstanding Poet of the Year, although I did not win, that nomination validated my talent and reignited my passion for poetry. I realized spoken word poetry allowed me to connect with audiences in profound ways and have never turned back ever since.

Qn: You’ve written several poems, can you walk us through your creative process and the experience of sharing your work?

The experience has been amazing! I’ve seen growth in my work and I’m proud to entertain, educate and inform my audience in my unique way.

Qn: How many poems and theatre performances have you done throughout your career?

While I can’t give an exact number, I can say that I’ve been consistently writing and performing poetry and theatre for the past 13 years. My passion and dedication to my craft has only grown stronger with time.