Speak Child movement a ‘second home’ for creatives

Speak Child, a poetry movement from Pretoria, is a home away from home for a many creatives.

Started in 2015 by Torsten Clear Rybka, mentor and founder of the movement, it has established itself as a growing community in Pretoria, doing its best to make a difference in this day and age.

The movement’s main aim is to create a safe place for young people to escape reality, be confident in their own skin and, most importantly, be comfortable with themselves.

“I started the movement because a lot of young people that wanted to become poets kept coming to me to ask for guidance and my insights as a poet myself.

“I felt a need to start this movement in the community to share my knowledge and expand what I know,” said Clear.

Speak Child focuses on building poets/writers, and they meet twice a month for workshops at the Union Buildings.

At these meetings, they do writing exercises to increase or enhance writing and the performing part of poetry. They recently started “growth sessions” where they meet just to see how far they have progressed.

“What made me join the movement is wanting a place to belong, not just as an artist but as a poet.

“To be surrounded by like-minded people feels really good, it gives me a sense of home and belonging,” said Amogelang Aysha Ramatena, a member of the movement.

She said she has been with Speak child since 2019 and for that four years her writing skills have grown.

Many of its other members also attested that being part of the Speak Child movement is “amazing” and that they have found their second homes.

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