Shaka’s Head township duo dream big

Two of Shaka’s Head’s most talented young people, who both nearly gave up on life, have been nominated for the Live Your Dreams SA awards.

Ayanda Mthethwa (22) who is a poet, and upcoming gospel artist Nhlanhla Nene (21), both had very challenging childhoods and dropped out of school as a result.

Mthethwa said she had never seen her mother, while her father too had never been part of her life.

She was raised by her grandmother and an aunt.

Things turned sour for the young poet when she fell pregnant at the age of 17 and her family disowned her.

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“I had to drop out of school and find a job so that I could survive. My life was hectic because I did not know who I could talk to. Fortunately, I was part of a group called Ulwazilwethu Entertainment and our leader asked me to write a poem about my life. I think he was trying to get me to speak out all the anger I had and the audience loved it. I also cried when I was writing that poem,” said Mthethwa.

She now writes poems about the daily struggles of children in the townships, love and her life experiences.

Mthethwa was nominated in the best poet category.

Nene lost his mother young and had little to do with his father. As a result, he ended up joining the wrong group of friends and almost gave up his life to alcohol and drugs.

Due to financial and family issues, they had both moved out of Shaka’s Head. Mthethwa was staying in Shayamoya and Nene was in Tshawini.

Life took a positive turn when they met Shaka’s Head resident Philisiwe Masuku, who asked them to come back to Shaka’s Head with the aim of working with them so that they could make a living out of their talents.

“It broke my heart to see these youngsters’ talents going to waste and I felt that I had to do something. I nominated them for the awards to try and motivate them and to ensure that their talent is being shared with people far from our township,” said Masuku.

To vote for Nhlanhla, SMS LYD 1840 to 45633 and to vote for Ayanda SMS LYD1841 to 45633. SMS cost R1,50.

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