INTERVIEW||
Kwanele Khumalo, Poetry and His Grandfather
Somewhere, in the deep hinterlands of Filabusi, a new Sun beams its rays across Zimbabwe. Not far from the Nazarene, Kwanele Khumalo leaves his birth place to battle his childhood days in Plumtree where his Grandfather becomes his friend if not an all time caregiver.
One time in 2014, Kwanele loses his Grandfather who leaves him hopeless and depressed. He then locates his talent in poetry, if it’s not poetry which located him. Poetry extends its arm to help him paddle across teenhood ills. And up to this day, Kwanele is the Sun which spreads its rays to brighten the literary paths in Zimbabwe. How does he manage to pull the crowds through his poetry? How is he able to walk boldly to change lives of those who read his works? He pours it all in the interview below with Coach Fortune Munsaka.
Fortune Munsaka: Who is Kwanele Khumalo the person?
Kwanele Khumalo: Kwanele Khumalo also known as Mntungwa kaMbulazi is a poetry author and a journalist born in Filabusi and grew up in Plumtree.
F M: Kindly tell Zimbabwe and the world at large about Kwanele Khumalo the Artist.
KK: I am a poetry writer who discovered his talent after losing his grandfather. I started writing poetry after my grandfather died in 2014, poetry became my solace after suffering depression in which I wanted to take my life. It helped me to understand life better as well as losses in general. I am just a rural boy whose community is well unaware of the so called depression raise by a grandfather after my father denied me care that is given to all kids under normal circumstances. I grew up in a rural area and tasted all sort of poverty under my uncles the late Amona Nleya and Nicholas Nleya( still alive). Raised by a single mom, Egnes Nleya ‘ NaMaKhue.
FM: Who sculptured the best Kwnele in you?
KK: Stanley Onai Mushava the poet I revere. He was my tutor at National University of Science and Technology ( Nust)
FM: How has the world reacted to your Literary works in the past years upto now?
KK: The world have accepted me well. I have drawn a huge following on social media especially Facebook with 15 thousand followers which I believe is a huge pull up.
FM: Any Awards you have won in the country and outside? And how have they impacted you in your writing career?
KK: I have won an award in South Africa and I have also holding a National Arts Merit Award certificate for my book Who killed grandfather?
FM: Artists of today have normalized Online voting for nominations in order to gain Awards and recognition. Have you witnessed that? If so, what value do you think it brings to the one voted for? And who should vote, the fans or anyone who comes across an invitation to go and vote on the online channel regardless of having tasted the work of the artist(s)?
KK: It is well for startup and recognition by the world at large but I can say a true writer or authorship comes within, one has to believe in his God given calling and the rest can take its shape.
FM: In your opinion, how is the readership culture in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole?
KK: Well people do not read much anymore there fore writers should always keep in check with the modernism and fight technology, nothing can beat writing and creativity. We need as writers to engage our readers and understand what they real want
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