Baf: School learners bring IsiNdebele poetry to life

The second day of the Bulawayo Arts Festival (Baf) on Tuesday saw hundreds of high school learners pack the Large City Hall to capacity for the Poetry in Motion showcase.

The event brought together talented learners who captivated audiences through powerful spoken-word performances delivered in isiNdebele. One of the standout presentations was a thought-provoking piece titled We Mali, which explored the challenges and elusive nature of money in modern society.

Using expressive gestures, coordinated movements and confident stage presence, the learners delivered their performances with passion and energy, earning loud applause from the audience.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Evelyn Girls High School educator and showcase coordinator, Mr TH Moyo, said Poetry in Motion was introduced to BAF last year and has since grown into a popular platform for learners.
“Poetry in Motion is an idea that we shared with BAF last year and they embraced it. It was born out of our main C.T.D Programme Performance-Based Workshops and we felt poetry was the most appropriate artistic space for learners at the festival.
“BAF invited us back this year and we gladly accepted the invitation,” said Moyo.

He said the C.T.D programme is focused on reviving interest in poetry among young people by making it relevant to their lives and experiences.
“Give learners the education they long for and you will never go wrong. That is what has made Poetry in Motion as popular as any other C.T.D product. We prioritise relevance as we seek to encourage young people to appreciate our language, arts and culture.
“The showcase was specifically designed for A-Level learners studying isiNdebele,” he said.

The performance not only entertained festival-goers but also highlighted the growing role of poetry as a creative tool for education, self-expression and cultural preservation among Zimbabwe’s youth.