The Sunday News
Mbongeni Msimanga
WHEN one talks of dub poetry as an art genre in the country, the most immediate name that comes to mind is that of Albert Nyathi, an internationally acclaimed poet who has worked so hard to popularise poetry and show that it can be big business just like music.
He is popularly known for his hit song in the early 90s Senzeni Na? which had a unique fusion of music and poetry.
His ability just like the talented but controversial South African dub poet Mzwakhe Mbuli, to fuse poetry with music endeared him to music lovers as it ushered in a refreshing angle to both local music and poetry in general.
Nyathi’s exploits in the rarely treaded poetry road earned him a number of international accolades although he has not been very visible of late in the music scene, perhaps due to his numerous engagements on the international scene.
Sadly dub poetry itself also suffered a setback with only a few people making efforts to follow it.
One of the youngsters who are keen on reviving the dup poetry genre is Gweru-based poet and StarBrite 2014 first runner-up, Itai Sekeremo who seemed determined to scale new heights.
Not only has he set his sight on reviving dub poetry, he has also taken his poetry skills to another level as he is set to publish his latest offering in the form of an anthology titled From a Black Tongue.
Inspired by the likes of Mbongeni Ngema, Mbuli and Nyathi, Poet Itai as he is affectionally known compiled a 45-page anthology that he spent four years working on.
This, he said, was part of his efforts as a dub poet ambassador with a mandate to spread the poetry gospel to others to re-awaken the often ignored arts genre.
“This is the first literary work that I have done so far and I am expecting to release the book soon. I have spent four years writing the book From a Black Tongue and it is part of my efforts of reviving dub poetry that has not been well appreciated in the local arts scene,” he said.
A Midlands State University graduate, Poet Itai is a holder of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music and Musicology. It is his undying passion for poetry that can be traced back to his days at Mkoba 3 High School that has pushed him to pursue dub poetry.
He is popularly known for his chant line “pamakaiisa” in the streets of Gweru where he grew up and where he has performed on numerous high profile events.
The anthology From a Black Tongue is a Pan African work as most of the poems are Afro-centric in nature, with a special dedication to the late mbira music songbird Chiwoniso Maraire.
“Most of my poems are Afro-centric and tackle issues from an African perspective. I have a special dedication to Chiwoniso Maraire as she largely inspired my works. Her music had an impact on many and she deserves special mention,” he said.
Poet Itai is currently working for a local NGO, Jointed Hands as a field officer in Zvishavane and is also using his poetic skills to educate youths on HIV/AIDS issues. Most of his poetic works are therefore educational as they tackle various societal issues.
He has teamed up with Aggabu Nyabinde, son to Bob Nyabinde, to form the group Dou Linkembe. Musically, Poet Itai and his partner have one album to their name, titled Pachopisa.
The duo is also in the studio working on their second album that is yet to be released.
