Multi-award winner Hlayisani Antonette Shiburi, popularly known as N’wa Jika The Poet from Madobi Village outside Giyani, was announced as runner-up in the 10th Golden Shield Awards, hosted by National Heritage Council in Cape Town (Arts Cape Theatre) on September 14. “Winning this award is a blessing from God.
Firstly I would like to thank the Almighty God, my mom (MhaniLovhisa), family, friends and also my social media friends. I am where I am today because of your love and support. To those who nominated me, thank you so much for the motivation, this award is not just an award but history to me as the category was open to all South African youths,” she said.
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She said she was overwhelmed at the thought of having won second place. “My advice to young poets is to just be yourself, and never compare yourself to other poets. Look at them as your role models, but don’t be a copycat. Thank you to the National Heritage Council too.
This year I’ve seen God’s hands in my life as in March, I came second in Botswana under the best live performance poetry category,” she said. Her Xitsonga poet’s book has been approved by the Gauteng Department of Education as a prescribed book in schools. She also received certificates of honour from Vision FM, MIACreatives, and the Voninganani Foundation in 2022.
