PHALABORWA – What began as a painful childhood nickname has transformed into a story of resilience, determination, and inspiration for young poet Kgomotso Mpfumelani Baloyi, popularly known as “Princess BG the Poet.”

Baloyi, who comes from a Christian family, says she was given the nickname “BG,” meaning “Beautiful Girl,” during her childhood after being labelled the “uglier one” in the family. Instead of allowing the hurtful comments to define her, she turned her pain into motivation and discovered her passion for poetry.

Early journey into poetry and growth

Her journey into the world of poetry began when she entered her first competition as a Tsonga young writer and praise poet at the TT Foundation. Although she did not win, the experience became the foundation of her growth as an artist.

Baloyi credits her mom for encouraging her not to give up after the disappointment.

She recalls her mother often telling her, “Leswa kahle swi teka nkarhi,” a Xitsonga phrase meaning “good things take time.”

Determination and early success

Inspired by those words, Baloyi continued entering poetry and writing competitions, gradually improving her confidence and performance.

“Just like that, I didn’t give up,” she said.

“I joined more competitions and kept getting better.”

Her hard work eventually paid off. During an event held in Muyexe last December, Baloyi celebrated a major milestone after winning her 13th medal and second trophy as Miss Mugaza Foundation third princess.

Empowering youth through poetry

The achievement marked a turning point in her journey and strengthened her determination to use poetry as a tool for empowerment and inspiration.

Today, Princess BG not only performs poetry but also hosts poetry classes aimed at motivating young people to believe in themselves regardless of their backgrounds or challenges.

A message of hope and perseverance

Through her classes, she hopes to inspire the next generation of writers and performers to embrace their talents and pursue their dreams fearlessly.

“I now host poetry classes to inspire young people that even a small star can shine in the darkest,” she said.

Inspiring the community

Baloyi’s story has resonated with many young people in her community, particularly those facing self-esteem challenges or struggling to find their place in society.

By transforming criticism into creativity, the young poet has become a symbol of perseverance and self-belief, proving that setbacks and negative labels do not determine a person’s future.

Looking ahead

As she continues to grow her poetry career and mentor aspiring artists, Princess BG hopes her journey will encourage others to remain patient, work hard, and never stop believing in their potential.