Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube,Victoria Falls Reporter
VICTORIA Falls-based praise poet Obert Dube finally travelled to Germany where he is taking part in the International Afrika Expo Festival (IAEF) taking place in Tubingen.
The two-time National Arts Merit Awards winner is grateful to well-wishers who funded his trip which almost failed after the event was postponed from August to September and the air ticket he had purchased was not refunded.
The event started on Thursday and ends tomorrow at Tubingen University Town in Baden-Wurttemberg, Southern Region of Germany.
The poet is excited to have finally witnessed his dream to perform in Europe come true despite the hiccups and believes it is his time to show the world that Zimbabwe has talent, as he also continues to charm the world with his Pan-African poetry.
“Thank you very much for your continued support. I have arrived in Germany for Africa Tubingen Festival. It’s nothing but God’s Grace,” said Dube after landing in Germany on the first day of the expo.
He said he almost failed to reach the venue after landing in Munich as the organisers were no longer reachable.
A fellow Zimbabwean from Lupane who he bumped into on the flight came to his rescue.
“I arrived in Munich on the day of the start of the event and I couldn’t reach the organisers. As I was walking around figuring out what to do, I met a woman who I’d travelled with from Johannesburg. After hearing my story, she phoned the organisers who then answered the phone.
“She then travelled with me from Munich to Baden-Wurttemberg where she helped me board a train to Stuttgart where the organisers met me,” he said.
He went on to narrate the challenges he faced as he planned the trip to Germany.
“It was hard. People helped me to buy the air ticket (to Germany) and just two hours after I had bought the cheapest one, there was an announcement that the event had been postponed. The ticket was not refundable or transferable and was forfeited. I had also been given an eight-day visa which also expired before I could travel.
“Fortunately, my August was busy and I saved everything that I made and two women also chipped in while a malayitsha called Ndodana Mangena transported me from Bulawayo to Johannesburg (where he boarded) free of charge. I’m very happy that my dream of travelling to Europe has finally come true,” said Dube.
He said he had to ask for people’s help because a week after he received the invitation to the event, his sister died and he had to foot funeral expenses.
Now that he has finally made it to Germany, Dube says it is time for him to market himself and the country.
“I thank God that I managed to succeed with the help of those that helped me. It’s my duty now to sell myself internationally and I hope I’ll do so successfully. The reason why they invited me here is that I have something to offer, so I’m here to deliver and represent Africa and Zimbabwe.”
Dube is the only Zimbabwean at the festival.
The president of Africa We Want,Dr Susan Tatah, a Cameroonian who lives in Germany, invited him. Fortunately, the event’s organisers, Africa We Want, are catering for his upkeep while in Germany and his accommodation.
The International Afrika Expo Festival (IAEF) Tubingen is more like a business expo and organisers believe Dube’s poetry can uplift people post-Covid-19 lockdown.
“I’m here to network and meet different producers and organisers. I’m not being paid and I’m using each and every opportunity to sell myself,” he said.
Dube has been to Sadc countries as well as Kenya and Cameroon through his poetry. He recently performed at a week-long regional festival in Mbabane, Swaziland.-@ncubeleon
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