STUDENT’S POETRY TRIUMPHS AT PUBLIC LECTURE

Through his poem titled Inkwenkwezi, second year Bachelor of Education student, Luyolo Vukuza won first prize at the Dr Phyllis Ntantala, and Prudence Mabele Public Lecture hosted by the University of Fort Hare in collaboration with Nelson Mandela University.

The lecture, themed “Let’s Hear Them Speak” was coordinated to highlight the deep intellectual contributions of two women of different generations who spoke powerfully on the issues of justice for women, children, and broader marginalised groupings in our society.

Author and Political activist, Dr. Phyllis Ntantala and Prudence Mabele, a human rights activist, are remembered for having played pivotal roles in fighting for justice and shaping South Africa’s history in the twentieth and twenty-first century respectively.

Undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the Eastern Cape were invited to enter a creative competition in honour of Dr Phyllis Ntantala and Prudence Mabele’s legacies, which Vukuza ultimately won against 36 others.

“It is every writer’s dream to have people who view and celebrate your work. That is how I felt when I was attending the public lecture. The competition was not easy, but it was humbling to win. I can say that Apart from the prize I can say that this was indeed an incredible journey, getting to know new people and learn,” said Vukuza.

Vukuza’s offering, Inkwenkwezi was hailed by NMU’s Interim Director:  Centre for Women and Gender Studies Babalwa Goqwana as the most illuminating and original submission.

It touched on the legacies of Both Ntantala and Mabele, while beseeching South Africans to build a better nation for all.

Pleading with his peers pursue their studies and extra-curricular interests with passion, Vukuza said: “It is incredible to see how much we can get when we work hard. The hard work really pays because this was not my first trip for writing during the winter of this year I flew to Stellenbosch where I wrote the short story titled Umcimbi Wegazi. Most of our desires can be achieved if we stay true to ourselves and focus on building a better South Africa.”

By Yanga Ziwele