Mpama ya Mutsonga making waves as a praise singer

Nhlengo Sharon Mashimbye, known as Mpama ya Mutsonga, hails from Daniel Rababalela outside Giyani. “I’m a young poet and an aspiring writer and love to recite poems.” She says her interest in praise singing started at the age of 13. “In 2020, after seeing Ntombhi Ya Mutsonga’s performance ushering the President of South Africa at the SONA, I realised that I want to do poetry, I want to be like her.” She says she chooses to write in Tsonga because people are neglecting their roots.

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“We have adopted modern ways where culture is no longer vital. “Most people prioritise other languages so by writing and reciting Xitsonga poems, I make young people aware of their own language and culture,” says Nhlengo.She used to write English poems and send them to a friend. “My friend, Maggie Mabunda, known as Ntombhi Ya Mugaza, then wrote me a Xitsonga poem after I tried to do it myself. “I have now learned to write my own Xitsonga poems on my experiences as a young girl,” she adds.

Nhlengo says the transformation of life around her motivates her to write. “My inspiration comes from poets like Ntombhi Ya Mutsonga, N’wa Jika The Poet, and N’wa Mburhi. “I follow N’wa Jika’s and N’wa Mburhi’s motto, Let the Village Girl Shine, and it’s my time to shine, it’s our time to shine as young poets,” she says. She says self-confidence in her work is sometimes a problem. “When entering a competition, I always question my work,” she says. Nhlengo is currently in Grade 10 at Nghonyama High School in Mageva village outside Giyani.