Nsikazi poet ambitious for provincial recognition
An up-and-coming poet hopes to work with the likes of Khayelihle the Poet and Seluna Imbongi Yabantu.
A young talent is determined to share his passion for poetry with his community and beyond.
Siyanda Maphanga (22), stage name Bhut Yang’chaza Le-Poet, said he wants to be recognised as the talented poet he believes he is, aiming to heal broken hearts and change lives through words.
Maphanga said he started writing and reciting poetry after the passing of his father in 2013. “I felt like writing something since my heart was sore. I took a pen and a paper then creatively expressed my feelings only to find out that what I wrote healed my hearts and those I shared it with too,” he said.
Along the way he faced numerous challenges including a lack of a support system for his craft.
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In 2021, Maphanga said he released a poetic soul track called “Sgcila”, meaning slave, that many people loved.
“The song spoke about men being abused by their wives, but who are scared of reporting it for fear of being laughed at. It spoke on how hard it is being a man in South Africa as you are told to be strong through emotionally difficult experiences,” Maphanga said.
He has more poems such as “Ungayekeli kuzama”, meaning do not stop trying, and “Sekwanele” meaning it’s enough.
Despite the challenges of trying to get himself known and becoming involved in opportunities for upliftment, he will not give up on his craft.
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“I won my first poetry competition as the Best Poet Performer at a local competition called Optimise Your Talent in 2023. It motivated me to not give up and hustle harder for my success,” he said.
He dreams of working with renowned poets such as Khayelihle the Poet and Seluna Imbongi Yabantu.
