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Blessing Karubwa, [email protected]

THABANI Dibi Mtshakula is not just a poet. He is an inyosi, a praise poet who invokes the names and deeds of his ancestors in his verses. He is also a proud son of uGodlwayo, the Ndebele clan that traces its roots to the great King Mzilikazi.

That is why he was the perfect choice to perform at the wedding of Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga, the wife of Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and a fellow uGodlwayo. The wedding, which took place last week at St Gerard Catholic Church in Borrowdale, Harare, was attended by President Mnangagwa, and other high profile dignitaries.

Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga, who is also a culture enthusiast and a supporter of Ndebele traditions, personally invited Thabani from his base in South Africa to grace the occasion with his poetry. She told the Saturday Chronicle that she was impressed by his talent and passion for preserving the Ndebele culture.

“I listened carefully as he presented his poem which was met with clapping of hands and cheering from the audience. Indeed, he is a praising poet.

He should keep on doing that, I am so proud of him and I am so proud of uGodlwayo.

Thabani Dibi Mtshakula

“All I can say is that I will always stand with those who stand up to uplift their culture. People tend to forget their culture but I tell you that I am so determined and concerned to do whatever it takes to keep our culture. We cannot afford to let our culture vanish,” she said.

She added that she had known Thabani for a long time, since he was the praising poet of the late Chief Maduna. She said she wanted him to honor her heritage by reciting the names of her clan and the chiefs from her region.

“For him to come and cry out my clan, the Godlwayo clans, and the clans of chiefs from that region, I made sure to invite him from as far away as South Africa. His poem ignited the occasion and raised the stakes. I am a person who values my heritage. I cherish my origins,” she said.

Thabani, who also goes by the name Dibi, said he was humbled and honoured by the invitation. He said he was thrilled to perform before the Vice-President and the President, among other guests. He thanked Colonel Baloyi-Chiwenga for acknowledging him and his work.

“I express my gratitude to Mrs Chiwenga for acknowledging me. Ngibonga ngingaqedi. I used to voluntarily record poems praising the second lady, never dreaming that one day she would eventually recognise me and extend an invitation,” Dibi said.

He explained that being an inyosi was a calling and a gift from God. He said he was inspired by his spiritual forefathers, whom he consulted before presenting his poems. He said he was different from other poets, who he called osonkodlo, who created their poems based on what they saw every day.

First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa (second from left) President Mnangagwa (right) with Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga and his wife Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga

“Only when called may one become an inyosi, or praising poet. It is a gift from God. Only those with spiritual forefathers, like me, can truly embody it. I call the names of one’s deceased ancestors in chronological order when I present my poems and I only do that when I am connected to them. We are all poets, even though being an usonkodlo and a praising poet/inyosi are two different things. Praising poets only praise kings and queens, dating back to their roots while osonkodlo create their poems and at times basing on what we see every day. That is what I was called to do,” he said.

Dibi, who has also praised Prince Bulelani Lobengula Khumalo, said he believed that his success was a reward from the late chiefs who were pleased with his poetry. He said he was determined to continue his mission of promoting and preserving the Ndebele culture through his poems.

His poems are available on his YouTube channel, Facebook, and TikTok pages titled, ‘Thabani Dibi Mtshakula Mahlalegangeni’.
@Team Karubwa