Intonga Yamantungwa’s spoken words wow audiences

Only 22 years old and Intonga Yamantungwa has achieved half her dreams.

The self-proclaimed queen of poetry is making a name for herself as “imbongi” (vernacular poet) in local performing art circles.

Named Ntonga Lydia Philadelphia Ndlangamanga, she has adopted a stage name derived from her first name and a clan name: Intonga Yamantungwa

Born and bred in Wesselton, she attended Phumula Primary School and completed her matric at Lindile High School.

Her love for the spoken word started at an early age as an outlet for all the turmoil in her life.
“I was a depressed child, so my doctor recommended that I write what I feel and that is when I started writing poetry,” says Ntonga.

Inspired by famous poets Sbu the Poet, Nstiki Mazwai and the great Mzwakhe Mbuli, she started writing in 2012 with her first poem titled “Love”.

Having gained enough courage to perform for audiences, she enacted her first poem in high school. It was well received, leading her to performing in churches and community events around Ermelo.

She boasts many feathers in her cap, having been featured in a song by gospel group Inzulu Yemfihlakalo, recording an eponymous mix-tape titled “Love”, which independently sold more than 200 copies.
She won the Ermelo Talent Winter Spree competition in 2015 and performs for dignitaries around the province.

Her big break was being nominated at the Mpumalanga Sunshine Media Awards, resulting in prominent people sitting up and taking notice, leading to them financially investing in her.

The hard work paid off as she is a regular performer at various big events around the province, a brand ambassador for various local fashion houses and is given regular poetry slots on radio stations.

Her poems, which are accompanied by musical instruments, are being played and in rotation on community radio station playlists around the district.

Having forgone tertiary education, against her mother’s wishes, to pursue poetry, she has had to dig deep to achieve what she is today.
“I was raised by my mother who championed education above all else, so she was really disappointed when I quit school. She gave me a year to chase the dream and I have not looked back since,” she says.

Her star keeps shining bright as she recently returned from the Grahamstown National Arts Festival that took place last week where she performed her poems in English, Zulu and Xhosa.

She underwent numerous auditions to qualify for the trip and was chosen out of 25 artists in Mpumalanga to feature in a documentary shown at the arts festival.
“Being at the festival was the most amazing experience. I got to meet prominent artists, the likes of Presley Chweneyagae of the award-winning film ‘Tsotsi’, who mentored and encouraged us to harness our craft,” says Ntonga.

With the triumphs came the struggles of having to finance all the trips and auditions herself with the industry more favourable to males than females.

A go-getter, this multi-lingual poet has been rejected and a door closed in her face many a time.

Having been at the receiving end of many a sexual advance or proposal from middlemen and agents, she says women are not taken seriously and one has to develop a thick skin in order to survive in the industry.

Her ultimate fear is one of failing at this path she has carved out for herself, as making her mother proud is what carries her through the dark days.

Intonga Yamantungwa is a perfect example of a self-starter, as she is owner of a company called Yamantungwa’s Entertainment, which is still in its infant stage.
The company has a vision of grooming young, upcoming artists around the district by providing a platform for them to grow and polish their craft.

“Older people do not take creatives seriously. I want to encourage the youth of Gert Sibande to follow their dreams and passions, to look at me as an example. My company will assist them in that,” she says.

Ntonga is grateful to the people who have helped her along the way on her journey to being queen of poetry.

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