adminPOETRY is a form of expression that has managed to stand the test of time and has been popular with both the old and young generations since time immemorial.
Highly male-dominated with big names such as that of Albert Nyathi and Mzwake Mbuli of South Africa, the poetry sector is one of the most influential arms of art in any society because of its lucidity in form.
Poetry like music has been used to provide social, economic and political commentaries with depth and clarity.
It is an art genre that many women shy away from but 22-year-old Tinashe Tafirenyika has set her eyes on becoming the best she can be in that genre despite the great competition from male counterparts. She intends to broaden her poetry to writing for the stage and the screen and also possibly write a poetry book.
The former Fusi Primary School then Sizane High School pupil has even performed poetry beyond the country’s borders, a pure show of her talent and a feat not many women have managed to achieve.
She has set her eyes on pursuing poetry to its depths and could be the next best thing to be noted in the history of art in Bulawayo.
Sunday Leisure Correspondent Bruce Chimani (BC) had a chat with the young lady who is studying at the University of Zimbabwe and excerpts of that interview are below.
BC: What has Tinashe Tafirenyika been up to?
TT: In the past 12 months I have performed at Shoko Festival’s Breaking Barriers Poetry Slam, Protest Arts International Festival, Word n’ Sound Youth Festival in Jo’burg, the first ever Woman Scream International Poetry Festival in Zimbabwe. I have also worked with Jibilika in their Step Up to HIV programme. I’m a regular at the Book Cafe’s House of Hunger Poetry Slam and Sistaz Open Mic. I also do church and corporate functions so it has been pretty busy and an exciting time for me.
BC: Okay. It’s interesting that you mentioned “church”, how is it doing art and also following Jesus?
TT: Like anywhere else, being a Christian means you have to walk in integrity and that means fewer options for me in various contexts. The straight and narrow path is not easy to follow, but I don’t regret choosing it.
BC: I listened to some of your pieces on badilishapoetry.com. You are really doing well. So, in general, what is the purpose of your poetry?
TT: Joshua Bennet, an award-winning performance poet from Yonkers in New York, talks of “authors that offer a glimpse of what heaven is”. My work is meant to show people God, to provoke thought and to inspire change.
BC: What are some of the challenges that you face as an artiste?
TT: I think the most annoying challenge is people who want to use your gift and claim to be giving you exposure. If someone can’t afford an artiste’s services they should ask nicely and quit this “exposure” rhetoric. A friend of mine, Tendekai Tati, will say to such people, “If I wasn’t exposed then you wouldn’t have found me.”
BC: Interesting views. Tell us something, why did you have to choose poetry as an expression though? I am sure you had other options of expression — music, drama etc.
TT: I would say serendipity — poetry to me was just one of those really good things you find without looking for and fall in love with. It is beautiful, I love it and I enjoy doing it.
Online Reporter