New poet on the block

Mukonazwothe ‘Muko Mat’ Mateletele, a second-year environmental sciences student at the University of Venda, is establishing her reputation as a poet by reciting her poetry in public places.

At 19, Mukonazwothe believes that she has a rare talent. “Having the ability to write poetry is a gift that I will forever be grateful for, for I know that all our talents come from God,” she said. “My popularity might suggest that I have had it easy all along, but that is not the case. Great challenges in life are often what inspires people to become poets, or artists for that matter. I was often ridiculed and bullied for being able to speak fluent English. Just imagine such mediocrity!”

However, since this Tshishivhe resident wanted to write poetry in English, she had to read extensively to grow her vocabulary in this language. “Listening to the naysayers really made me feel insecure about who I am and what I wrote,” she said. “But eventually, the criticism pushed me to pull up my socks and work towards excelling in the art of writing and reciting poems.”

Mukonazwothe has been lucky to also have friends and family who support her. “They would read my earlier writings and provide constructive comments, which were all helpful,” she said.

Today, she writes about life, loneliness, depression, happiness, and nature. She records her poems with her phone and uploads the recordings on YouTube. According to her, poetry should relay positive messages and extend a ray of hope to those who have lost it. “I write not only about things happening in my life, but also about what's happening around me and my peers,” she said. “Through poetry I can pour my heart out without any fear of judgment.”

On YouTube, Mukonazwothe goes by the name of ‘Muko Mat’. Her outstanding poems include, among others, Forbidden fruit, Ours, Lonely and If anything happens.

“I have no boundaries; I’m a free spirit – like a bird. I get my inspiration from the fact that I’m alive; that’s enough reason to thank God and continue to allow Him to use me to touch other lives through my positive poetry,” she said. “Having to share a piece of my art with the world is great. Sometimes, after I’ve written a poem, I feel a rush of relief and say to myself, ‘Girl, you’re one good writer!’”

Who knows, this young woman might just become one of the best writers on the block, so watch this space. Mukonazwothe can be followed on Facebook (Mukonazwothe Mateletele).

Entertainment - Date: 08 August 2021

Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

Email: [email protected]