At the age of 16, young poet Ampfarisaho Hope Mudau is starting to make an impact in the poetry world. The girl from Tshitavha Tsha Sambandou, who is a Grade 11 learner at St Augustine Residential School in Tshandama Mutale, has already penned 70 poems in English and Tshivenda.

Ampfarisaho only started to explore poetry two years ago, but she made heads turn when she took second position in her category in the coveted Murumba Cultural Parade Awards. The awards were hosted by the Nyavhumbwa Wa Dagaila Cultural Village and were held at Tshifulanani Stadium in December last year.

“It was in 2022 when I was requested to render a poem at a church in Mavunde outside Thohoyandou. I made a lasting impression, and most of those who were in attendance came to congratulate me afterward. This gave me so much confidence that I could do it. The motivation I got from my pastor and my parents added to the impetus and boosted my morale that I should take writing poems seriously. I have since composed 70 poems that I perform at any given occasion,” said Ampfarisaho.

For others, poems come in dreams, but for Mudau, the poems follow her wherever she goes. “My poems are derived from life experiences, the pain and happiness that people go through in life. My ultimate aim is to have my collection published in a book. It is really hard, especially when you still have school books to read. I try to balance this, and in this field, there are people I look to as my inspiration, like Jessica Mbangeni and refined author Vhamusanda Vho Mudzulathungo Nelson Mmbi, among others. With the kind of support I am getting from my school, my pastors, and family, I am set for the stars,” Mudau said.