Dzomo's poetry is there to create peace

Local poet Ndivhuho Aluwani Mabonyane, affectionately known as Dzomo La Venda in music circles, recently released his third album, entitled Vhutshilo.

The 28-year-old from Tshitereke Tshiomvani said he called the album Vhutshilo because, “when I look at the whole album or songs, they are all emphasizing the issue of hatred, gender-based violence, crime, love and so many aspects of our everyday lives”.

The new offering comprises 12 songs, which are Afrika, Nyanenge, Mmbwa dza Ṱhohoyanḓou, Vhutshilo, A matter of life and death, Muporofita, Lufuno lwashu, O tamba ngazwo, Mmawe, Ngoho, Vhuhadzi and Ro theutshela. He released his first album, entitled Vhalemba, in 2013, which was followed by Tendani in 2016.

His talent was evident from a young age. “When I was in Grade 3, I could effortlessly recite poems like Ramaremisa, written by the legendary Z Matsila, but in 2006, I started penning my own poems, including Tshivhoni and Zwa lino shango. I fuse my poetry music with Soul, Afro Jazz and Venda traditional music to give it a taste,” he said.

“To me, poetry is a peace maker. Poetry heals broken hearts and it can show the right way of living. I also see poetry as a guidance in so many ways. In a nutshell, poetry is all about the lives of various creatures created by God because one can recite about mountains, people and maybe animals.”

He is a self-taught guitarist who was inspired by the likes of Eric Clapton, Oliver Mtukudzi and Louis Mhlanga. He bought his first guitar in 2014 after winning the Best Praise Singer of the Year award at the Tshivenḓa Music Awards.

“If they're willing to make it through the music and poetry industry, they must be disciplined because talent without discipline is doomed. They must always know that good things come to those who go out and make them happen, they don't come to those who wait,” is his message to upcoming artists.

For bookings and CD purchases, he can be reached on 079 702 4193.

Entertainment - Date: 25 January 2020

Mbulaheni Ridovhona

The 22-year-old Mbulaheni (Gary) Ridovhona has been passionate about journalism to the extent that he would buy himself a copy of weekly Univen students' newsletter, Our Voice. After reading, he would write stories about his rural village, Mamvuka, and submit them to the very newsletter for publication. His deep-rooted love for words and writing saw him register for a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies at the University of Venda, and joined the Limpopo Mirror team in February 2016 as a journalism intern.

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