By Beverly Bizeki
A Masvingo based poetess is set to revive her career with a 10 poems album titled Voiceless which was released in January.
The poet Tecla Mwoyo whose stage name is Miss Tee said the album is one of her first projects for the year with two videos already out.
“I have released an album titled Voiceless with 10 poems as my first project for 2024. Two videos, Voiceless and Valentine have already been released and I am anticipating to release more and finish this album by the end of the first quarter,” said Mwoyo.
In her poem ‘Voiceless’ Mwoyo said she was inspired by her personal experiences growing up which was characterized by a desire to have a voice, be able to express herself, and be heard.
“We can talk about anything and discuss but there are those missing pieces that will always stay in a person’s heart, it can be love but cannot be said. This is what we intend to bring out. The Voiceless is all about how can I express myself out, how can I be heard,” said Mwoyo.
Mwoyo’s poetry is a fusion of poem, music, and act which makes her storytelling unique.
The Zvishavane born poet said she realized her talent when she was 13 years old in 2006 and had a passion for expressing herself through writing.
“I started sharing what I had in me at 13 years old in 2006. I became passionate about public speaking at Gokomere High School and worked as a voluntary arts coach at Pamavambo Primary School after completing my A’ Level.
“I then joined an Arts organization named Gypce headed by Mandla and was privileged to perform poetry at various Arts festival that include Youth Arts, Dzimbabwe, and HIFA. I also became a project coordinator of poetry at Bulawayo Junior headed by Mgcini Nyoni where I exhibited a poem ‘light of today’ at the National Arts Gallery,” said Mwoyo.
Mwoyo took a break from performing as she had to complete her studies and balance between settling in her marriage.
“I took a long break in 2014 and performed on a low key as I had to balance education and later on marriage. I have also been greatly affected by relocating across the nation although I am currently volunteering at Charles Austin Theatre where we have had various projects including drama and shows where I infuse poetry,” she said.
Mwoyo said she is concerned by the girl child whose talent is often suppressed by responsibilities in marriage as well as societal opinions and expectations.
“The girl child faces a lot in this industry as most talents in women are recognised at tender ages and when they reach a certain age are heavily affected by marriages which come with a lot of responsibilities and social opinions and expectations. We need to support each other and give poets platforms to perform as they suit in almost every occasion. Straight dialogue is subjective and as such poetry serves as a solution to some issues,” she said.
Mwoyo is currently working towards publishing a book in March titled ‘Zvirimuhweva’ and has pending collaboration projects with artists like Mambo Guramatunhu, Golden Maxx, Lennox Gondo, Sekuru Soro, and Rosemary Masuku.
