Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
Bulawayo’s Gugulethu Matshazi “Mazweli” Dube has been crowned the inaugural champion of the Haya Sizwe National Poetry Slam, held at the Zimbabwe Academy of Music in Bulawayo.
Silethemba “Letty” Dube, also from Bulawayo and Harare’s Nakai Tadana, completed the podium finishes, highlighting the dominance of women in the competition, who made up 70 percent of participants.
Organised WeCrea8te Afrika in conjunction with Accountability Lab Zimbabwe and spearheaded by Sondlane Dube (Sox the Poet), the slam celebrated spoken word artistry with performances addressing identity, governance and Africa’s future.
For the slam, Mazweli carefully selected one of three prepared pieces, crafted for the high-pressure, time-limited format. Her winning poem tackled themes of governance, memory, language, identity and envisioning Africa’s future.
Mazweli’s win marked her return to competitive slamming after a two-year hiatus and was met with resounding applause, including from her mother, uMaNcube, who watched her perform competitively for the first time.
“Winning the national poetry slam feels like recognition for the silent work I’ve put in over the past two years. Performing in front of my mother closed a long emotional loop — being witnessed and understood in a way no applause could replace,” she said.
She dedicated the victory to the community that has supported her journey since 2023.
“This win is not just for me but for every mentor and supporter who has helped me grow,” she said while also praising organisers for establishing a platform that amplifies Zimbabwean voices and sparks critical conversations.
The poet described 2025 as a year of alignment, focusing on mentoring the next generation of artistes through projects like the ACE Project and Evoke, which combine artistic development with entrepreneurship and digital skills. Mazweli and Letty are members of WeCre8te Afrika, a Bulawayo-based talent nurturing hub, underscoring the city’s thriving creative ecosystem.
The Haya Sizwe National Poetry Slam has firmly established itself as a landmark event in Zimbabwe’s cultural calendar, celebrating talent, particularly women and proving the enduring power of perseverance, passion and storytelling. — Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
