TWEEFONTEIN – Lungile Monica Mabhena from Tweefontein in Phumula section is proud to be the first Isindebele writer to be recognized by IAfrika Digital, and be nominated for best poet at the Mzansi Art’s and Media Awards (MAMA).
IAfrika Digital is a company/organisation that works on telling African culture and spirituality.
Mabhena told Highveld Chronicle she loves being a content writer writing in IsiNdebele for her people.
“I got recognized through my blog (IKesi yakwaNtu) and Facebook which is where I share content based on African Culture, language and spirituality,” explained Mabhena.
She is also nominated for Best Poet at the MAMA and she is asking the community to vote for her. “There are not many opportunities and resources here in Mpumalanga. As I’m a Theatre performing artist, the only theatre I use is the one at Witbank which is far from where I live.”
Drawing inspiration from Trevor Noah and Dr Esther Mahlangu, Mabhena a recent Bachelor of Education graduate specialising in Geography and Languages, a Sangoma, a poet and a performer, said she draws her inspiration from spirituality.
“I know everything I know through drawing from my spirituality. I get my knowledge from my ancestors. I share what I know with others in order to help them not commit the same mistakes their elders have committed, to bring light and understanding about our culture,” she said.
“I enjoy writing about history, language, spirituality and culture to educate because as Africans we’ve been stripped off our identity. It’s important for me to let people know that they can live by African culture to connect to African spirituality rather than get lost in foreign cultures that have nothing to do with them.”
She added that she was grateful to be recognized and nominated for the MAMA, adding that her altimate dream is to be a world-class artist that can make a difference and highlights the injustices that women are faced with.
“It makes me feel great that I’m being appreciated for my hard work. The ultimate dream is to write books, publish them for my people and everyone. Establish myself as a renowned expert in my field. To guide and empower others to fight for what they believe is right. Achieve a harmonious balance between my personal life and professional life. Be a thought leader and a founder of a company in my industry,” concluded Mabhena.
