Thando Fuze is a Durban based Modern Contemporary Spoken Word Artist, Writer, Founder of SHEfted MInds, Arts Events Co-ordinator and Director at FuzeArtCo. Groomed under the guidance and mentorship of Dr Gcina Mhlophe, Fuze is one of a few prominent voices in Durban who continually redefine themselves, the state of poetry and the perceptions of others through her creative works. She has shared the stage with the likes of the Legendary Baba Madala Kunene, her mentor Dr Gcina Mhlophe, Lebo Mashile, Luka Lesson from Australia and other greats such as Kat François from the UK. Over the years she has not only built herself as a brand but has also helped create platforms for other artists coming up. She has worked with Luthando Productions which hosted monthly poetry readings at the Bat Centre in 2011/2012 she has also worked with Burnt Bridges which also hosted poetry readings and music offerings in 2014. Currently Fuze is part of a team of poets working alongside Mxolisi Mtshali in putting together the biggest bi-monthly poetry show in the country, Poet In A Suit.
Thando Fuze has worked with various schools and colleges as a Peer Educator in and around the Pinetown area setting up poetry platforms/sessions which are used as safe zones for the youth to discuss issues affecting them, using spoken word as the medium of choice. In 2012 and 2013 Fuze was nominated, Best Female Performance Poet for the Original Material Awards. Some of her work has been published (2015) in an anthology titled “Home Is Where The Mic Is” which features 24 poets, the world’s best modern contemporary spoken word artists on the rise. As requested by the Department of Arts and Culture, Thando Fuze has written a poem in memoriam of the late Novelist, Essayist, Teacher and activist Lauretta Ngcobo. One of her most recent highlights has been the article on City Press, named as one of Lebo Mashile’s favorite black female voices on the rise. Thando Fuze currently works as a freelance Artist Liaison Officer for Poet In A Suit, Project Manager for SHEfted MInds and full-time Performance Spoken Word Artist.
Thando Fuze has performed and participated in the following festivals and events: