‘Spoken Word’ exposes artistic talent

which was part of this year’s edition of Hifa has exposed great talent as several poets, writers and musicians from around the globe took to the stage to recite their works on the opening day of the festival.
Held under the theme: “Here We Go! Opening the Week of Poetic Celebrations, a Taste of What’s Coming”, the event, sponsored by Hivos, saw the likes of Valerie Tagwira, Bhekusa Moyo, Thanda Richardson, Pikita Ntuli and musicians Charles Chipanga and Namatai Mubariki enchanting crowds with their poems.
Young and vibrant poet Moyo represented Bulawayo well when he recited his powerful poems that revolve around day to day issues affecting people, especially in Africa.
One of his poems titled “I Declare War” challenges people to come out of their shells of complacency and become assertive in expressing their needs and demanding their rights.
In his poetry, Moyo has no sacred cows as he unleashes his verbal venom at everyone who is found with their feet in the wrong places. The poem is also directed at leaders who discard their duties of delivering to the people.
Artistes are also not spared and are challenged to be the voices of the voiceless.
“I declare war on passive poets who see things and say nothing,” orated Moyo to great applause from the audience.
Such people who fail to do what is expected of them are reminded that their end is nigh in another poem titled “They Shall All Fall” while in the poem titled “Poverty” the poet denounced those whose acts bring about poverty on others.
Lady Thanda – decked in a short white dress and draped with the Zimbabwean flag on one of her shoulders – made her presence felt with her powerful renditions that were accompanied by music from a saxophonist, acoustic guitarist and drummer.
The melodies of the music blended well with her poetry and songs to give the audience something to savour and food for thought.
In “Free But Not Done”, the poet-cum-singer reminded people that although they are free, there is still a lot to be done to guard that freedom lest it be snatched from them.
Then she cast her eye to God in the song “Anondida” in which she said that there is no other being who loves her better than God.
Her voice rose in seductive crescendos when she did a rendition of the late Bob Marley’s famous songs, which she laced with some Shona lyrics. Novelist and medical doctor Tagwira read passages from one of her novels, The Uncertainty of Hope.
Published by Weaver Press, the novel is about Onai, a widow whose life is in strife.
South African poet Ntuli also did his own stuff when he recited poems that revolve the struggles of her country dating back to the days of Azania.
But it was Charles and Namatai who stole the whole show when they performed songs off their forthcoming album “Prayer Expose – Namatai” due for release in June.