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Brenda Phiri Arts Correspondent
PERSEVERANCE and hard work has paid off for renowned poet, Tendai Maduwa (23) (pictured), whose work has been incorporated into a poetry compilation in India.
The book, “The Enchanted World”, that was published last week, features some of the best poetry from different poets around the world.
The book will officially be launched at the Sixth International Poetry Festival to be held on December 10 at JKC College, Guntar in India.
“I feel honoured for the recognition. This is Zimbabwean poetry that is being put on international platform.
“Competing with established poets globally is difficult because unlike us, they have vibrant poetry industries,” he said.
Six of his poems, “African Woman”, “Nightmares of an Adolescent”, “Ready for Life”, “As If”, “Traitor” and “Love” were submitted to the Indian organisation on the sidelines of the Kenyan Oral Literature Association last month.
Besides the book, Maduwa has a Kola award nomination where he will battle it out against 216 others in November.
“All I have worked for is not recognition, fame or pride. I do art because as my profession, I have a mission to change lives and inspire people.
“I always perform to the best of my ability. Every time I am on stage I give it my all.
“Getting recognition is only a bonus, otherwise motivating the world is the most important thing,” he said.
Maduwa is a well-travelled, award winning poet who has made strides in developing poetry locally.
A fortnight ago, he spearheaded the launch of the first ever poetry club, entitled Poetic License at the Book Café.
This development means the Book Cafe will be a rendezvous for local poets to interact and perform in an efforts develop the art of poetry.
They meet every two weeks.
“The Poetic License is a movement aimed at establishing different types of poetry.
Poetry is not marketed enough in this country. Although it is an independent art, it is isolated and unable to pull crowds like stand-up comedy, theatre and music,” he said.
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