Online Reporter
Mangaliso Kabulika
THE Poetry Red Carpet Awards are stepping onto a broader continental stage as the fifth edition of the ceremony will open its doors to regional artists for the first time.
Set to take place on February 27, at Nicoz Diamond, the awards will feature South African musician NJVBULO, alongside poets from Botswana and Mozambique.
Running under the theme “Red Velvet”, the event aligns with the month of love, celebrating poetry as both an art form and an expression of emotional connection.
Founded by television presenter and poet Cynthia Mapando, the awards were first launched in 2022, carving out space for a literary genre that has often struggled for recognition in Zimbabwe.
“The poetry industry needs serious attention and has great potential to grow.
“Seeing the gaps that needed to be filled inspired the idea of giving poets awards.
“There was no record of poets being fully appreciated through awards in Zimbabwe,” she said.
This year’s edition will feature 21 award categories, a refined structure compared to previous editions.
Categories include Poet of the Year, Best Page Poet, Best Spoken Word Poet, Best Male and Female Poet, and a newly introduced category for Sign Language poets, underscoring the awards’ commitment to inclusivity.
“Unlike other editions, we will witness poets from South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana.
“This is a milestone for us because we have always wanted to penetrate the international scene so that Zimbabwean talent can be celebrated beyond our borders.
“If we are to grow Zimbabwean talent, we must build relationships with regional and international poetry families It’s about learning from each other and creating a society for impact.
“Both positive and negative feedback help us grow, even in areas we weren’t paying attention to.
“Since the awards began, we’ve seen significant change in the industry. Poetry has become a sounding board for hope, even for society at large,” she said.
Despite the progress, challenges persist, with funding remaining the biggest obstacle.
“Finances are the biggest challenge for anyone with a vision. Many visions die because there’s no financial backing.
“Until we secure strong sponsorship, this challenge remains.
“Poetry in Zimbabwe is in good hands as long as we stand united. The moment we lose that unity, that’s the beginning of downfall.
“But the vision is running and it will keep running. The future is bright for the poetry industry in Zimbabwe,” she said.
