Using her words to tell stories
Hazel Tobo is a talented 24-year-old poet, photographer and author with two books done and dusted, who describes herself as a shy and imaginative person.
POLOKWANE – Hazel says as a child she always kept to herself and was always in her own world.
‘I discovered I could write poetry when I was in Gr 5 after my teacher tasked the learners in her class to write a poem.”
“I wrote a poem to welcome a newborn baby to my family which the teacher found hard to believe I had written myself.
“She liked the poem so much and this inspired me to develop my poetry writing abilities.”
Hazel studied hospitality management at the University of Johannesburg, then changed to tourism management before she decided she wanted to become a full-time freelance artist and in 2011 her poetry was featured in Shindig Aware, which is a CD, DVD and book compilation.
In 2012 she also featured in Poetry Potion Anthologies called Every Generation, Poetry is not a luxury and This woman is.
Her first book, My Broken Azania, was published in 2015 and in it she discussed the political state the continent was in and the social ills.
“For some reason, writers care about what is happening around them, even if it doesn’t directly affect them,” she said.
Her most recent book, Psych Ward Blues, an autobiography, was published in 2016 by Poetree Publications.
In the book she gives the reader an insight into the most intimate moments of her life, like her battle with self-esteem issues, attempted suicide and her overall battle with depression.
“I delayed the release of the book because of self doubt.
“After I had written the book, I felt like it wasn’t good enough. Both my books were self funded and as a student it was a challenge coming up the money to promote the book and get it into stores,” she shared.
Her book is currently available at the Free State Library, Bridge Books in Johannesburg, African Flavour Books in the Vaal, as well as Clark’s Bookstore in Cape Town.
She is working on a New Poetry Anthology which will be released at the end of the year, the title is soon to be revealed.
To book Hazel for performances send an e-mail to inkedpupil.snaps@gmail.com.
