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Sydwell believes new poetry anthology will educate

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A resident of Bungeni village outside Elim, Sydwell Mthombeni, published a poetry anthology that he believes will educate, rebuke, warn and serve as encouragement for readers. The book encompasses nine poems recited by nine young South African poets from Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Gauteng Province.

The 34-year-old Mthombeni is co-founder of Writers Corner Institute, which was established in late 2020. On 2 April this year he, along with Hlayisani Shivuri, Sheila Mathevula and Basa Makhubele, published an anthology titled African Soul.

“We published an anthology which was compiled as a result of our Limpopo Poetry Competition, launched on 1 May 2021,” he said. The poems are written in Xitsonga, English and isiZulu.

Mthombeni said that the purpose of the anthology was to provide readers with an opportunity to enjoy the collection of poems in various languages. “Besides me and my co-founders, other authors who contributed towards this book are Scelo Madonsela, Abby Sebati, Hazel Khupane, Roberta Shikwambane and Ntsako Nhombelani,” he said.

He elaborated on how he started with his poetry journey. “Writing has been my passion through my high school years. I used to read poems written by Dr Freddy Rikhotso and many more Tsonga writers. Through reading their poems and novels, I was motivated to also write something that will be helpful to society,” he said.

Mthombeni's passion was sparked after meeting three missionaries, Seth Meyers, Daniel Minton and Paul Schleihlein and the late Joel Simkus from the USA. “From the year 2008 to 2010, I invested my time in the study of theology,” he said.

He also studied at the Limpopo Bible Institute, located in Louis Trichardt, to sharpen his writing skills in 2020. “Studying there became a prominent turning point, for I was taught much about writing and reading. That is where I gained the knowledge to write, edit and do research,” he said.

This quenched a greater desire in him to help others to grow. “Not only through poetry, but writing of any kind and we also help our members by coaching, editing, and publishing their books.  We have so far published several books since the founding of our institute, and we hope to have more books published. We rejoice when we see people achieve success through writing,” he said.

 

 
 

Self-proclaimed publisher and co-founder of the of Writers Corner Institute Sydwell Mthombeni published a poetry anthology. Photo supplied.

 

By: Thembi Siaga

Thembi Siaga started as an intern during 2021. He assisted with video photography and editing. He also produced numerous small documentaries, focusing on the Vhembe region and its people. Currently he works as a freelance journalist, covering stories in the Elim area.

Thembi studied at the Tshwane University of Technology, where he completed his diploma in Journalism in 2021.

 

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