Meet Emmanuel Mthethwa, a Sophiatown-based artist who uses his words to paint pictures in his audience’s minds.
It’s through this poet’s musical background that he found what he called the synergy between hip hop and the creative freedom of poetry.
Mthethwa loves how poetry is such an accessible form of art. “It’s easier to string together words than paint a portrait, and it’s faster to listen to/read a poem than watch a movie. It’s like fast food to me.”
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His creative inspirations are vast with some of his icons being director Christopher Nolan, composer John Williams, playwright poet William Shakespeare, fashion designer Errolson Hugh and game developer Hideo Kojima.
For him, poetry has given him a way to express himself. “I journal my thoughts and feelings in a way that is accessible to others. It has also afforded me the opportunity to work and make friends with some of the most talented young people in this country.”
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Mthethwa hoped his art could broaden people’s perceptions of poetry and challenge people to take more risks with their craft as this was what his favourite creators did for him, and he hoped to be that to others someday.
Though he did not have aspirations to be remembered in history as some timeless creative figure, he did want to be remembered as someone who was always helpful, loving and kind.
On December 11 Mthethwa will take to the stage alongside other artists as they showcase their work at Writers Bloc International. This event will take place at Muldersdrift’s Moors Castle.
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