An award-winning local Xitsonga poet’s book has been approved by the Gauteng Department of Education as a prescribed book in schools.
Hlayisani Antonette Shiburi (33), also known as N’wa Jika the Poet Phyembye Ra Africa hails from Madobi village outside Giyani and is elated that her book, Gondzo ra Vutomi (Journey of Life), will be taught in secondary schools. “It means a lot and motivates me not to give up. I cried with joy after receiving an email from the department, it is a big milestone. Indeed, the sky is the limit.” Hlayisani already has seven books under her belt.
The book, South African Anthology Poetic Minds Combined is a collaboration and was accepted in the Eastern Cape as a prescribed book; Gondzo Ra Vutomi is also taught in schools and was accepted earlier this year; Edulwini, also a collaboration; Loss I Lahleko, a multilingual book that is also a collaboration; Poetry for African Souls, a collaboration; Vusiwana I Baji, collaboration, and Ndzi Ta Fika. Hlayisani has won numerous prizes for her work. She won first prize in the Collins Chabane First Annual Competition 2022, and first place in the Avbob 5th Annual Competition in the Xitsonga category.
She has also received certificates of honour from Vision FM, MIACreatives, and the Voninganani Foundation in 2022. The news of her latest book that was accepted as a prescribed book reached her on March 14, her birth month. “I can tell this is the biggest gift ever,” said Hlayisani. Hlayisan is not only a praise poet, but she is also an author, a voiceover artist, an actress, an entrepreneur, a qualified electrician, and the founder of the Switirhela Ku Lulama clothing brand.
“I would like to thank the almighty God for the talent he blessed me with, my family for the support they show me every day, not forgetting all my social media friends, I feel so blessed and honoured.” Her popularity as a praise poet has taken her to various festivals, from inaugurations to charity events. “I am currently preparing for a competition which is going to be held in Botswana on March 31, where I’ll be representing South Africa in poetry. I hope to one day travel the world with my poetry,” said Shiburi. To order her books or to book her as a praise poet, call her at 063 854 2812.
Source: Letaba Herald
