Hi Bongo, thanks for your time. Please tell our readers who you are: Where do you live, where do you go to school, or what work do you do?
I’m Bongo Flepu, a father of one son. I hail from Mdantsane, East London.
I’m a poet, painter and sketch drawing artist, and a founding member of a poetry group called Jembe Ridim Poetry based in Kayamandi, Stellenbosch, where I currently live.
I went to school in David Mama High, did my grade 8 and 9, then came to the Western Cape, where I finished my high school commercial studies and went on to college doing public management.
I’m currently unemployed, but I’m spending my time productively exploring my artistic side.
I’m now working with experienced artists at Stellenbosch Tourism Information Centre, artists like Zach Mukwira and Mlandeli Father. I’m learning a lot from them as an artist, adding to the knowledge I have as a painting and sketch drawing artist.
How did you hear about the Talent 360 project and what made you want to enter?
I got a pamphlet in the streets from one of the Talent 360 people and one of my friends encouraged me to “try my luck”, so I did as she said, but there was no poetry category then. So I ended up falling under the drama category. I always like to voice, so I also thought, yha, I’m going to take part.
Congratulations on being one of the three semi-finalists in the poetry section! How does it feel?
I’m very calm, humbled by the love that people showed by voting for me. So I’m very confident for them too.
What was the inspiration for your poem? Do you have a muse or specific theme/subject that’s important to you?
The poem “Inkomo Zobawo” is a three-year-old poem and I recited it live only in this competition. This poem was written from pain caused by what I observed around our society. Looking back in our history we were our own masters and slaves, the visitation from our brothers of blood (our step-brothers and -sisters), and the “misunderstanding” between both races stained the purity of our African living. And when our brothers of blood claimed what they believed the all-father (our father) had prepared for them in our land, their Eden, we became who we are now, burghers and slaves in our own land. I’m inspired by life and the way we live it.
How long have you been writing poetry? Who is your favourite poet?
I’ve written poems or was a poet before I knew I was a poet or was being called one. I’ve recited poetry on street corners, under the shade of ghetto darkness. Poetry is me, I’m poetry and I’m a poet. So I can’t date when, poetry is me. I don’t have a favourite poet, I only raise my fist for those who are against evil doings and those who build using the power of words, enlightening the blind in the dark.
The Talent 360 contestants will be performing at the US Woordfees – what are your thoughts on this? Are you excited, nervous ...?
I’m excited that I’m going to voice my thoughts before a multiracial audience. Woordfees is a perfect platform for me to share my mind.
What is your biggest dream in life?
My dream is to have enough so that I can be a hand that reaches out. My dream tool, except writing, painting and drawing, is photography.
Check out Bongo's poem and recital here.
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