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Brenda Phiri Entertainment Reporter
POETIC LICENCE, a new platform to showcase local talent, saw the launch of Tsitsi Madzongwe’s book, “Sun Baked Love” at the Book Café with an electrifying performance by the United States-based author and poet on Friday.
Madzongwe, who is the founder of Uthando Theatre Productions in Marylyn, went on stage for the first time at the show in a performance with local poet Tendai Maduwa.
Clad in traditional regalia and with the help of a drum beat for effects, the duo formed a “Fire and Ice” combination that complemented each other.
Although different, the concept went in line with their theme “Traditional Meets Modern”.
Maduwa, who is no stranger to the performing arts, presented an authoritative figure during the performance, leaving the audience begging for more.
The other half of the act, Madzongwe, was the complete opposite. She was soft-spoken yet bold. As they recited poems from her new book, the audience was taken to a different world altogether.
Poems that included “African Renaissance” indeed touched the hearts of the audience.
They spoke on the emancipation of Africa, a continent with so much potential to accomplish great things. Others included “Happiness” together with Maduwa’s “Songs of Peace”.
It was also a homecoming show for Madzongwe, who took time to interact with outstanding locals who are making strides in uplifting the genre.
The artistes – Tatenda Chinoda, winner of the Spoken Word award at the National Arts Merit Awards 2013 – Ticha Muzavazi, Tinashe “Mtumwapavi” Muchuri, Mbizo Chirasha, Batsirai Chigama and Xapa took turns to thrill the audience in the third edition of the Poetic Licence. Most of the poets received approval from the audience for presenting their work in the rich Shona language.
Xapa, on the other hand, switched gears and presented classical pieces about life being just but music and womanhood. It was quite a transformation from her usual political pieces
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