Now known as 2022’s best poet according to the local Hustling Honeys Awards, Yolanda Shabangu, ‘Poetess Landa the Lioness’, is taking the poetry genre by storm.
Most have expressed their admiration for her work on social media, which she said has pushed her to her biggest achievements so far.
Shabangu said she is grateful she never gave up on her talent, because all her successes in 2022 came at the right time.
“I have been reciting poems since 2016 and it has been a long and quiet journey. I would perform at school assemblies and other events, but never saw the growth. I love that social media allows us to reach more of our target and lovers of poetry.”
She said she fell in love with poetry when her mother passed away. “I use to write poems about my mother and recite them as a coping mechanism. From there, I would observe certain things in my environment to be inspired to write. I believe I have grown so much and I am willing to still work hard to be greater in my craft,” Shabangu said.
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She said reciting poems in Siswati in her deep voice is what makes her unique. The 21-year-old said she believes poetry is still overlooked in her village community and Nkomazi as a whole.
“I have started showing my community that poetry is not just art, but a creative way to deal with life. I know people who said their lives have been changed through poetry, and it can also change one’s perspective on anything.
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“The aim remains to change people’s lives through poetry, and I am always available to help young people to venture into poetry.”
Shabangu said she wishes to be one of the best poetry creatives to put Nkomazi on the map.
