Mr Mlungisi (#Mlumlomo) Ngubeni is using his platform to highlight social ills affecting the youth of Wesselton.
This poet uses his voice and rhythm to shed light on issues which the youth of today are facing daily.
Mr Ngubeni held Gert Sibande District’s flag high when he participated in an arts and culture festival hosted by Change Academy on 28 July in Mbombela (Nelspruit).
Born and bred in Phumula in Wesselton, this 28-year-old is a Wesselton product through and through.
An alumnus of Cebisa Secondary School, he began reciting his poems at the school, leaving audiences with questions as to how they can make the Wesselton township a better place for all.
#Mlumlomo clearly left a mark as he was recruited by a local radio station to host his own show and had been invited to many events.
With his slot at the radio station, he reaches thousands of Msukaligwa residents and highlights the plight of the youth.
Raised by his elder sisters, he saw first-hand how to treat a woman and show compassion to the other sex.
His topics have led to many religious people asking him to be removed from the air.
Mr Ngubeni is however adamant to highlight the realities of what happens in the township.
#Mlumlomo has performed before thousands of people, with the Economic Freedom Fighter’s Human Right’s Day rally as his biggest audience to date.
“I saw a sea of red, more than 5 000 people listened to what I had to say and it felt really good.”
When asked if he ever gets stage fright, he casually responded that he was terrified in the beginning, but as he gained more popularity and performed on numerous stages, it faded away.
“I am now excited more than anything to perform, because I can then deliver my message to the audience.”
Being in the limelight, there has been naysayers who questioned whether #Mlumlomo can somehow sensor his delivery and message of his poems.
A suggestion he does not go along with, as it takes away the message he is trying to convey.
#Mlumlomo is headed to Mbombela to perform with big names in the entertainment industry, but he will not forget his roots.
He will be releasing a self-published collection of poems that also features local poets and artists.
“It is my dream that local artists work together on various projects so we can lift each other up and showcase the abundance of talent that we currently have.”
#Mlumlomo will fund the collection out of his own pocket and is determined to make a career out of his talent.
“We discover new poetry talent in Ermelo daily. It is up to us to nurture and grow this talent,” said #Mlumlomo.
