Springs is buzzing with talent and self-published author Khutso Shilakwe is no exception.
The Welgedacht poet (27) has released his first anthology. Khutso started writing when he was 15 and has since written many poems.
“I listen to a lot of music and telling stories the normal way wasn’t quite my forte. I experimented with rap but found it wasn’t my thing. Poetry didn’t feel like a home away from home, it felt like it was always home, and I was the prodigal son.”
He says that he lends his inspiration from different genres.
“I love reading about Greek mythology but you won’t see my work being tainted by it. The Bible on the other hand plays a major part in my work.”
Khutso has written other anthologies and is busy with his fourth and fifth instalments.
“They are all testaments to my growth so I honestly do not have a favourite yet. Of the three finished works only one was published and only a hundred copies were printed.”
Regarding the published work, he said it is about a guy who has a crush on his best friend.
“He sends her a text asking if she would like to read something, dozes off for five minutes and notices his message was read but there’s no reply. In the five minutes he had dozed off, he had a full fantasy of how their relationship could be.”
Khutso speaks about not having a formal writing space and embraces the fluidity of being able to write anywhere.
“I can work on something at work and bring it home or write while in bed. I may even write while watching a field hockey game. Everywhere is my writing space.”
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He adds that he barely gets writer’s block.
“I think the work and life balance just fixes a lot of blockages.”
The poet, who loves music and enjoys playing hockey, says he wants to be the mouthpiece of people who struggle to express themselves.
“I can tell their story even when they’re too afraid to tell it. I’ll sit, listen, and narrate every emotion if I have to.”
