Poet Profile: Kwazi Ndlangisa

Kwazi Ndlangisa is a multi-award-winning performance poet from South Africa, an actor, creative writer, poetry facilitator, events coordinator, nguni folk musician (band) and activist based in Durban but rooted in the deep rural areas of UMzimkhulu called Chamto, KwaBhaca on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.
This young and rising star is a Co-founder and Managing Director of POT OF ART (Pty) Ltd, a house for creative writing and performing arts. He is also a very skilful creative writing and performing arts facilitator and has run workshops in various parts of South Africa; a highly recommended judge of performing arts, well known for being strict especially with poetry writings and performances. His art is a fusion of dreams, visions and reality inspired by nature, language and life in rural areas.
His craft is influenced by the olden days but he still manages to stay relevant through his unique word-play, unexpected puns, similes and metaphors.
Kwazi Ndlangisa has shared his craft in four provinces of South Africa and across the country, i.e. KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Moun in Botswana and by the audience response; this poet is going to travel the world, as he proclaims in one of his lullabies, “ndiza–hamb’amazwe.”
He started as a Rap artist in 2009 but all that changed a little bit in 2012 February when he stayed home for 6 months and began to focus on seeking out and discovering his inner self. Ndlangisa believed that poetry was the most pertinent way to depict portrayals of his profound feelings, as he is now acknowledged for his soul touching poems.

In March 2012 he visited a poetry session which took place at UMzimkhulu Gateway Tourism Centre and that is where his love for poetry was watered.
In June 2012 this vernacular and a part-time English writer went back to Durban and heard about multitudes of poetry sessions around the city.
He began to attend Durban based poetry sessions and he mostly attended sessions like; Nowadays poetry session at BAT Centre and Outspoken poetry session at Durban City Hall.
Artists would sit in a circle and present their craft without judging but with an intention of growing each other.
They would share, discuss, and criticize (constructively) where necessary.
He later attended a Pour A Tree poetry session hosted at DUT, Steve Biko Campus. This is where he developed stage confidence as this platform was for poetry performances and had a number of attendees.

PERFORMANCES AND APPEARANCES:

2018

•  2017 WNS Awards hosted by Word N Sound at Market Theatre, in Johannesburg, Gauteng where he was honored for a Perfect Poem – Kwelamathongo

2017

• Elangabini Lomlilo, a short film produced by a Cape Town based company, Echo Ledge production. The Film was shot in Durban where he acted as an antagonist, acting 3 roles. He also translated the subtitles of the film to isiZulu.
• Tea Time Poetry With Kwazi Ndlangisa; DVD Launch in Durban, BAT Centre and in Pietermaritzburg, Winston Churchill Theatre
• Maritzburg Social Justice Film and Arts Festival by PACSA in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
• DFL Lover + Another, National Poetry Challenge in Johannesburg, Gauteng at Witz Theatre where he was crowned as a Slam Champion
•  7th annual Word N Sound Festival in Johannesburg, at Market theatre, Gauteng
• National Arts Festival at Glanny Hall in Grahams town, Eastern Cape where he performed in a poetry production, Sunrise Poetry Session that he facilitated
• 2016 Word N Sound Awards at Market Theatre in Johannesburg, Gauteng
• Poetry Arts programme, gala dinner at Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge in Mbombela, Mpumalanga where he also facilitated a poetry writing workshop.

2016

•  UKhozi FM’s Nyus’ i-volume at Morningside Stadium in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal
• Tea Time Poetry With Kwazi Ndlangisa (KwaZulu-Natal Tour) at BAT Centre’s Nzingha Lounge (Durban), Tatham Art Gallery’s Cafe Tatham (Pietermaritzburg) and at Nineteen 44 (UMzimkhulu) where he was accompanied by a legendary band, Madala Kunene, Gabriel ”Mabi” Thobejane and Tim Zondi
• Sanlam Handmade Contemporary Fair that was held at Hyde Park Corner Rooftop in Johannesburg, Gauteng. He wrote and recorded poems for 3 fashion designers; Chu Suwannapha of Chulaap, Laduma Ngxokolo of Maxhosa and Jasper Earles & Mike Schelbach of Sealand Gear and his poems were exhibited in story walls with designers work.
•  6th annual Maun International Arts Festival at Cresta Riley’s Hotel in Botswana
•  Underberg Himeville Arts Festival in Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal
•  Poet In A Suit Live DVD Recording at Blue Waters Hotel in Durban
•  UpClose and Personal with Mbuso Khoza at 8 Morrison, Rivertown Beer Hall
• Africa Fashion Exchange 2016 at Moses Mabhida suits where he featured the legendary, Madala Kunene and also performed a theatrical piece at the closing night which was broadcasted live on 1KZN TV
•  Poetry Night at Black Rock Casino in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal

2015

•  19th Poetry Africa Festival at Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban where he featured the legendary, Madala Kunene
• Current State of Poetry Theatre Festival, a series of poetry plays in theatre where he wrote and performed (in collaboration with Nkululeko “Page” Ngwenya ) a play called Aiden’s Rose at The Playhouse, The Loft Theatre which also was showcased at Courtyard C Theatre, Ritson Campus at DUT during the 19th Poetry Africa Festival
•  Durban Street Food Festival at 8 Morrison; Rivertown Beer hall during Africa month.
•  Sundowners Jazz and Poetry at The Playhouse Foyer in Durban
•  Tree of poetry at Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal
•  Soul food on home soil at Amigos in Vryheid, KwaZulu-Natal
•  Muted Lips revelations at Hillcrest Church in Durban

2014

•  Luka Lesson SA Tour at Bat Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
•  Durban Music School Street Festival in Diakonia Street, KwaZulu-Natal
• Unshackled hands, Tree of poetry at Tatham Art Gallery in Pietermaritzburg
  2013
• Insika and Uhuru Art Show Vol.2 (as a guest poet) at Luthuli Museum in Groutville, Stanger, KwaZulu-Natal
• Orchestra of tongues at BAT Centre in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal and many more.

This aspiring poet has been privileged to share the stage with many profound artists of the African Continent as well as Internationals like Lebo Mashile, Mputlane WaBofelo, Lesego Rampolokeng, Madala Kunene, Mabi Thobejane, Luka Lesson, Ian Kamau, Afurakan and many more.
He has shared his craft with different churches, Schools and he also visited Old age homes and Orphanage homes.
He was part of the Peer Education Program 2014 at MUT and that is where he was taught of the COMMUNITY UPLIFTMENT ROLE which now makes him have eager to lay a helping hand wherever he could.
Kwazi Ndlangisa believes that through the WORD, the wounded heart heals and this country can’t suffocate in the hands of the wordsmiths.

ACHIEVEMENTS, INTERVIEWS AND NEWSPAPER APPEARANCES:
2018

•  2017 WNS Awards hosted by Word N Sound at Market Theatre, in Johannesburg, Gauteng where he was honored for a Perfect Poem – Kwelamathongo
  2017
• DFL Lover + Another, National Poetry Challenge in Johannesburg, Gauteng at Witz Theatre where he was crowned as a Slam Champion
• He launched his DVD, Tea Time Poetry With Kwazi Ndlangisa at BAT Centre Restaurant in Durban and at Winston Churchill Theatre in Pietermaritzburg
•  He appeared at The Witness newspaper before the Tea Time Poetry With Kwazi Ndlangisa; DVD Launch in Pietermaritzburg, Winston Churchill Theatre

2016

•  Young Achievers awards hosted by Rural Youth Development Foundation – SA at Blue Waters Hotel in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal where he was honored as the Best Poet.
•  He got interviewed on Kwese TV as one of Africa’s best.
•  He got featured on Isolezwe, Daily News, The Mercury and local newspapers before, during and after his tour, Tea Time Poetry With Kwazi Ndlangisa
• He was interviewed on Ukhozi FM, Back to my roots poetry program during the heritage month

2015

• He had an hour interview at Ukhozi FM, Sicikoza ngosiba programme a week before his performance at the CSP Theatre Festival.
• He was featured on Isolezwe newspaper during the CSP Theatre Festival.
•  He was interviewed at Ukhozi FM, Back to my roots poetry program, during the Africa month.
  2014
• Original Material Award hosted by Gagasi FM at The Playhouse, Durban where he was honored as the Best (Male) Poetry Performer.
• He was featured on Isolezwe and Ilanga newspapers on the same month after the OMAz.
•  He received a Peer Helper Certificate from the Student Counseling Unit at Mangosuthu University of Technology in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
•  He was featured on Daily news and The Mercury newspapers on the same day,
  a week before the 18thPoetry Africa Festival presumed.
•  He had a 30 minutes interview at Ukhozi FM, Sicikoza ngosiba poetry program during the18thPoetry Africa Festival.
• He was interviewed by SABC News after his electrifying performance at the Writers Speak out Show which took place at MUT as part of Time of the Writer

A FEW QUOTES FROM HIS POEMS:

Title: Imilolozelo kamama
“Mama ngicel’ ukufulathel’ ikhaya kangikuhlamuki ngiyohleng’ iAfrika
Ngiyohlomulis’ abantu ngezithelo zesithomb’ owasivundisa ngenhlonipho nothando wasichelela ngolwazi
Hlez’ ikusasa lentsha liyoqhakaza njengonyezi.”

Title: Death vs. Life
“We are totems of slumbering gods The sun awakes the moon to illuminate our night Our souls are homes of immortal life We are dared to breathe.”

Title: Umzimbanegazi
“impilo ifana nesilonda iphola ngokunakekelwa.”

Title: Life of a bird
“A colorful bird
dwelling in the jungle full of abandoned dreams
I am
Us.”

 

Facebook page : @Kwazipoetry
Instagram : @Kwazipoetry
Twitter : @Kwazipoetry
Email address : [email protected]
Contact Number : +27 73 737 8213

Tags: Bat Centre, durban, Kwazi Ndlangisa, KZN, Peer Education Program, poet profile, poetry potion, poetrypotion, poetrypotion.com, POT OF ART, Pour A Tree, WordNSound Awards