Poetry gives Venda girl wings
Takalani VendaGirlPoet Manenzhe says her work is all about bringing positive feelings to people's lives while inspiring them to do better.
LIMPOPO – She adds the EP album she recently released, the seven-track Tshedza tsha Venda, gave her the ideal platform to spread her message to a wider audience.
“Tshedza tsha Venda is a fusion of poetry, dance hall music and RnB rhythm,” she explains. The 15-year-old adds the single Tshedza tsha Venda (Light of Venda) encourages and motivates people to bring light into their lives regardless of the circumstances.
“I really wish for people to take the message to heart as the whole album is dedicated to empower them and bring about change.”
Takalani, who hails from Ha Mangilasi village outside Thohoyandou in the Vhembe region, says she draws inspiration from her own music. “Other tracks such as Destiny, 16 June 1976, and Manenzhe wa Gono and the others on my album motivate me to get through life when things are tough. I am excited as this is my first project and I am overwhelmed by the response I have received thus far. I am thankful to the artists I featured such as Austino, Lil Rofhy and Bon Twist, these people helped me to make my dream a reality. I want to give special thanks to my manager, Rofhiwa Lidzebe, for believing in my talent.”
The Gr 10 learner at Kolokoshani Secondary School says she has been performing poetry for many years and hopes the album will help open doors for her in the industry. “My goal is to be recognised on a global platform, make more music and release a book with a compilation of my poems,” she says.
Takalani adds balancing school and being a performer is not easy but she is thankful to her family’s support for “always having my back”. She says the album will be on the shelves soon but in the meantime fans can request a copy on her Facebook page Vendagirlpoet Muvhonetsheli.
