HECTOR KUNENE: YOUNG POET GLITTERS

Hector Kunene...

Hector Kunene is a young South African aspiring poet, who was born and bred at Hammersdale in 1992. “A place where politics reigned with bloodshed and the burning of houses for the fight of dominance between ANC and IFP in general around” he says in his poetic manner.

He told Free State news that he is the first born in the family with two other siblings. “I worked in my life just after completing my matric and the love of art and poetry continued from there; after it all began in high school.” Hector, who oozes superb confidence, emphasises that it is very important for one to realise his/her potential from an early stage.

His work is yet to be published in book form; but one of the poems he wrote called Bloody Corpuscles appeared in the national paper, Sunday World. “From there on I continued putting finishing touches to my first offering, an anthology called Through the tunnel. The poem Bloody Corpuscles is about the alarming use of the specific words when talking especially to the young ones.”

Hector’s performances straddle places called Caprivi in Tembisa North Johannesburg where he would normally attend weekly poetry sessions and perform with artists from all spheres who would come and showcase their gifts.

The flamboyant young poet from Kwazulu Natal is a full-fledged Zulu who still “speaks a breasted (Mother tongue) language” though he spent the rest of his high school life in Johannesburg from 1996-2001. His poems are written mainly in English, “although I still write in Zulu - Inkomo Zobaba and Maye Kufa which are normally shared in funerals”

He is hoping to get a publisher soon and be able to release his book that is titled “Through the tunnel . His message to young aspiring writers is that they must spend time assiduously doing what they love and explore their talent. The one person that inspires him is the great Kgafela wa Magogodi who shot to fame with “Thy Condom Come” and wrote the play “I write what I like”
- S Botsime
* Reproduced by kind permission of Free State News

THE INTUITIVE VOICE OF A POET

THE BOOKSHELF

With Kgang Abel Motheane

Book: The Intuitive Voice of a Poet
Author: Saint George Vis
Publisher: Eclectic Writers Club

This book contains a collection of poems written by Vis when he was still a very young writer. Indeed Vis has now published many books including the acclaimed Indaba with Free State writers last year. His first book was First things first.

It is remarkable that so many poets have emerged and continue to do so from the townships of the Free State. It must be admitted that there is a bias towards the metropolis like Bloemfontein, Mangaung in general; but we can be sure that many poets are in all the nooks and crannies of the province. Quite a number of them have published books of poems over the years.

Such published (book) poets apart from Mr Vis include Lebohang Thaisi, Leslie Tlhabanelo, Tiisetso Makhele, Qoopane, Tiisetso M Thiba, Richard “Skietreker” Seape, Job Mzamo, yours truly (Ntate Motheane) among others. Other established poets set to publish their books of poetry anytime from now include Charmaine Mrwebi, Neo Mvubu, Jah Rose, “Magic” Khotseng, and Icebound Serame.

Vis is described in his book of poems as “a thinker and philosopher” Despite his youth when he first published the book, “he did not allow his rather privileged background to spoil him or affect his writing career”

I went through all the poems and the following impressed me most: Perseverance, Never Say Pain, O Bolaji (Tribute to a great writer) etc. Vis must be commended for his range and diction.

Indeed this book of poems will further enhance the author’s reputation as he covers a wide range of topics. The sky seems to be the limit for him after publishing so many books whilst still quite young.
* Reproduced by kind permission of Free State News