She has big dreams ahead

She could have chosen to be a musician or an actress but because of Dakalo Malinda’s (15) love for playing with words and sharing her life experiences, she went for poetry. She was introduced to the scene in Primary where she started attending festivals. At the age of 12 she was ready to play with the pen and begun writing her own pieces.
This Grade 11 pupil from Hoërskool Patriot says she could have chosen any extra mural activity but she chose poetry because she get’s to write about her life experiences.

“Everyone has a purpose ad I believe this is mine. I love lyrics, rhymes and metaphors. Speaking to people is my calling, poetry chose me,” said Dakalo.

She hosted a poetry session in collaboration with her group Explosure titled Soulful power of lyric at Die Heuwel Tshisa on December 5 2015 which became a platform for eMalahleni to experience the talent these souls have.

“The lack of poets in the area made me motivated to host my very first session and the attendance was okay, but I would like for it to improve this year,” said Dakalo.

She is influenced by the people around her hence the support she receives from her family has enabled her to be able to juggle two things she adores and are important to her being school and art.

Poet Dakalo Malinda.

Dakalo says she would like to see underground poets come out and be part of the movement that she is trying to create in her neighborhood even though underground poets fall under the minority group they are worth it as they recite real life issues. She looks up to Lauryn Hill.

“I was even named after her, I love her craft to an extend that even my ringtone is one of her songs. I want to follow in her footsteps,” said Dakalo.

If she is not reciting she is in the kitchen cooking which is her second love.
Her plans for the New Year include her poetry sessions to be an annual event, for her as a solo artist to be booked to perform in events and to audition for South Africa’s Got Talent.

Here’s a few lines from one of her poems titled ‘Soul food’ which explains why she chose poetry.
‘I need the food for the soul,
I need the food to make me whole,
Made from lyrical ingredients,
The recipe remains secret………..’