Byo poet gets continental nod

Bruce Ndlovu, Sunday Life Reporter
BULAWAYO author and poet Munyaradzi Bopoto has attained continental recognition for his work, with his book, Talking to Walls, earning a nomination at the fourth Annual Global African Authors Awards.

It is the first such recognition for the 23-year-old poet who, before its publication, only had his work showcased on anthologies from around the continent. The award ceremony will be held on 31 July.

Bopoto, who first picked up the pen at the age of 16, has also performed at spoken words events in Bulawayo and around the country.

“I started writing when I was 16. My poetry has appeared in several international anthologies and these include the Best New African Poets 2018, Nationalism Anthology, Libero Americano Journal and the Best New African Poets 2020. The book Talking to Walls was published last year and it was my debut collection. The book was endorsed by renowned author John Eppel, who wrote the foreword of the book. I am also a spoken word poet who has performed at festivals like the Intwasa Festival, Lit Fest Khanyanyisa Poetry Slam, Lafarge Poetry Slam and Mic Drop Sessions at Heart and Soul TV,” he said.

Like most young writers nowadays, Bopoto said music, particularly hip-hop, was the primary inspiration for a career that now looks to blossom beyond the country’s borders.

“I was 16 when I discovered my passion for writing. I was inspired by rap music when I was teenager. So, I started writing rap lyrics of my own, after reading Tupac’s anthology. I experimented with poetry and never stopped ever since,” he said.

The Malindela Primary School, St Bernard’s High School, Hillside Teachers’ College alumni said he did not have to look far for inspiration, as local poets and authors had stirred the wordsmith within him.

“John Eppel, Philani Nyoni and Tariro Ndoro are the authors that inspired me back when I started my career and even now. Basically, as a writer a lot of authors inspire me but these three have always been my favourites,” he said.