LOCAL poet Tendai Maduwa has been appointed to become board member of Listrech International Poetry Festival in Kenya.
By Tinashe Sibanda
Popularly known as The African Kid, Maduwa will work with Professor Sukrita Paul Kumar (India), Professor Jenny Maria Tunedal (Sweden), Laus Strandby Nielssen (Denmark), Dr. Matunda Nyanchama (Nsemia Inc. Publishers, Canada/Kenya), Professor Maurice Amutabi (Kenya), Christopher Okemwa(Kenya), Dr. Evans Gesure Mecha (Kenya) and Godspower Oboido (Nigeria) on this board.
“Kistrech Poetry Festival was launched in Kenya in 2013 and it was so difficult for me to go there because of lack of funding, but one individual Rabison Shumba took the challenge upon himself to fund this golden opportunity,” Maduwa said.
Maduwa said Shumba, who is an author, sold his books to finance his travel expenses together with Proctor Utete, who is the director for Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe.
After attending the inaugural event in 2013, Maduwa said he lured sponsored invitations to perform at various platforms in Tanzania and Zambia because they where pleased with his performances.
“Since then I have toured Kenya, Zambia and Tanzania for two week performances each before returning home to initiate a professional poetry movement called Poetic Licence which is held every fortnight at Book Cafe,” Maduwa said.
Maduwa said following success of this initiative, local radio and tv stations introduced poetry programmes.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The poet added that Star FM also played a major role in his career as it would regularly invite him for radio poetry shows together with Richard Kohola, Tapiwa Musoni and J the Boss which to him challenged many other radio stations to start similar programmes.
“Although Poetic Licence is no more because of financial challenges, with that background I have relaunched my career. I now grace festivals around the world and also receive financial support from our own Arts Organisation Culture Fund Of Zimbabwe Trust, which i am so grateful to,” he said.
Part of his appointment letter from festival executive director, Christopher Okemwa noted: “Having discovered Tendai’s talent and potential during the 2013 inaugural event.
“We are pleased to give him duty of providing advice and ideas to the festival and assist us in mobilising resources for the festival’s activities.
“We hope he will take up his duties with the effect of the issuance of this letter.
“He will be expected to arrive in Kenya few days before the festival starts each year. Thank you in advance.”
