Chronicle Editor
Angela Sibanda, Showbiz Reporter
Poet Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo’s children stole the show at the belated Africa Day celebrations that were held at the Methodist High School in Bulawayo on Thursday.
The Ndebele proverb that says “a fruit does not fall too far from the tree” is truly relevant in the case of the renowned poet’s two children Methembe (14) and Nomalanga (12) who seem to have inherited their father’s artistic skills.
The two got the audience on their feet during a performance of contemporary dance and poetry.
Methembe delivered a poem on Africa being a beautiful and amazing home while Nomalanga’s poem was titled African Women.
It spoke deeply on the roles of women and the daily challenges faced by an African woman.
What followed after the poems was a collection of contemporary dance styles that got other school children screaming as they moved to the front trying to get a clear view of the two up-and-coming artistes.
Those with phones also got closer to the stage in a bid to take clear videos of the performances.
In appreciation, others threw money on the stage.
Speaking to Chronicle Showbiz after their performance, Methembe said poetry is something that they inherited from their father.
He said their dance journey started with copying dancers they would see on television.
“I started reciting poems when I was in Grade 1 and it’s always been something that I do during my spare time.
My little sister also started reciting poems when she was young and we’ve grown to love it through the help of our parents.
“Our dancing is self-taught because we spend time practicing things that we see on TV, especially from music and dance channels,” he said.
Their mother, Ms Ester Zitha said the two children have learnt to balance their chores, school work and their rehearsals.
“Their father is the role model and the one who taught them how to manage their time.
I don’t have any challenges with them because they know they have duties to do so that their school work and house chores are not disturbed.
At the same time, they get time to do what they enjoy,” she said.
However, the two kids are not looking forward to being full time artistes in future as Methembe dreams of being a pilot and is currently studying science subjects at Gifford High School.
Sigombe Primary School Grade 7 pupil, Nomalanga aspires to be a nurse.
Addressing the crowd during the belated Africa Day celebrations, guest of honour, historian Pathisa Nyathi said there is a need for Africans to take pride in their culture.
“The problem with Africans is that we aren’t proud of our own culture.
Most of our African foods are not even available in our own local supermarkets, yet we take pride in foreign things that are not ours.
“Our culture is our inheritance and we need to preserve it, and be proud of who we are so that even when we leave this world, our culture lives on,” Nyathi said.
The event was also graced by poets Sithandazile Dube, Mqemane with a performance from Khaya Arts.
Online Reporter