The Sunday Mail
IN an era where social media has taken over almost every aspect of our lives with urban cultural trends influencing the majority of youths, it has become a rarity to come across young people who are actually interested in writing Shona poetry.
Two young men, Victor Zivanai and Simbarashe Marovatsanga, who share the same passion for spoken word, decided to collaborate and write a Shona poetry anthology, “Dariro Ranhasi”.
The writers who finished their A-Level studies last year seem to have a bright future in literary arts considering the talent and creativity they displayed in their work.
It is unfortunate that they have not been able to afford conventional publishing and have had to contend with social media distribution for now.
When the writers told me about their plight, as a curious literary enthusiast I decided to have a look at the text and had them send me the soft copy of their book.
To say I was blown away might be an understatement because what these young men created is special.
There are not many 20-year-olds out there who have the linguistic abilities and commitment to craft like these two writers. Their Shona is so rich, one cannot help but just venerate and I will admit that as I was reading these poems, something changed in me. I now appreciate artistry differently.
The collection comprises of 46 poems that revolve around various themes that range from love to tragedy.
Whether the poet is talking about how death robs humanity of happiness or he is describing the beauty of the woman he loves, the pieces are all written in captivating language.
Both writers managed to showcase their diversity in addressing various topics, expressing themselves with clever wordplay and making use of spicy literary devices.
Marovatsanga in his poem “Rufu Mbavha Yerufaro”, displays brilliant writing skills as he explains how death affect those who are left behind. With an arsenal of rich Shona diction at his disposal, the poem is beautifully woven and shows the poet’s high level of imagination.
“Ndirwo chazezesa mutunhu une mago, nyakutora vangu sekuru kupedza sarungano, muchivhirikiti changova chando, hoyo kwamupfigira nebwe rwatova rwendo,” goes one of the verses where death has robbed him of his grandfather.
The manipulation of rhyme in this piece is effective as it creates a musical feel, with the cyclical pattern forcing the reader to really reflect on the content of the poem.
Zivanai’s poems are also well-written, with most of them laden with words of advice.
In some of his poems, he borrows statements from popular songs and sayings, which spices up the pieces but in some instances he overdoes it, which takes away the originality.
Although the two poets are already showing signs of brilliance in their work, this is one of the several areas that they need to improve on.
The duo has been writing for several years having developed the passion during their first year in high school.
They are on the right path and I hope publishing opportunities will come their way so that they start distributing their work in hard copy as well.
