Ngizocala ngala majita angana mgogodla, abantu abanga qabi ukukhipha umphefemulo kusale intandane.
(I will start with those guys that do not have a backbone, those who do not fear to remove a women’s spirit and leave orphans). This is an intro to a poem by an aspiring poet, Welcome Mashaba, who wrote it to raise awareness on gender-based violence.
The seemingly increasing number of women who are killed by their partners or abused by their partners, is what inspired him to write it. This 20-year-old said his aim is to reach out and make a difference.
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“I’ve always had the urge to talk to people about the dangers of gender-based violence and how it is affects everyone. However, as I did not have the opportunity nor the ability to gather them and raise awareness on this issue, I decided to start writing about it. I know there are people who enjoy poetry, and I decided to use my talent. I currently record my work in a friend’s small studio and share the recording via WhatsApp. I hope this will be able to reach those who need to know the damage caused by this abuse and femicide. When I am invited to events, I also get to spread the word. I do not only talk about gender-based violence, I recite poems on love and how it feels to be sad.”
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His dreams include to one day open a shelter for the less fortunate and to have his own studio.
“I am one of the people who benefit from Sinani (Noma Kanjani) at Church Unlimited, an NGO that assists the less fortunate and vulnerable children.
“This is where I got my inspiration to open a shelter that will make a difference in the community. The plan to own a studio is so that I will be able to produce poems of a better quality, and I will also be able to allow other struggling aspiring artists to use it. This I am planning to do after I have achieved my own dreams.”
