” I Have Performed For Crowds Of People And Left Many Soaking In Emotions That I Have Released During My Performances”
Ryan Hopkins | April 16, 2024
Lebogang Metsileng is a young woman born in Alexandra and has spent her entire life there. Most of my experiences are from this township from my primary school memories to high school memories.
I wear many hats, but I will try to highlight what resonates to me the most in this season of my life. I am a God-fearing woman and a born again Christian, I must say it’s a very humbling and vulnerable encounter. I come from a disadvantaged background like many other black children but my story remains unique to me as I have conquered many challenges in my life journey, though some left scars as reminders but I believe that I am a work in progress and continue to seek meaning from those encounters.
“The confident me outdid herself on that platform but I broke some rules“
Going down my memory lane as a child, I am reminded of a time I was introduced to the stage as a public speaker at age 8. The confident me outdid herself on that platform but I broke some rules, as you may know, public speaking is more of a formal speech and certain body gestures are prohibited, like moving around a lot, using hands unnecessarily etc. So, I did all the prohibited acts ,I believe that day had to happen because it introduced me to the self I did not know existed and I have remained loyal to that self to date, just as fish is in the water, I am that on stage. In laymen’s terms I thrive on stage, I have performed for crowds of people and left many soaking in emotions that I have released during my performances.
One of my fondest poems that I have written is titled: Dumela Ntate. This poem revolves around the search of an absent father in a girl child’s life. This poem portrays a young woman in search of a father’s love which remains unsuccessful, she searches for her father in places he worked and resided and never locates him but most importantly, ends in a positive theme of acknowledging the community of men in her society that have played a fathers role. This poem has been performed at various events namely, University of Johannesburg Community Engagement Awards Ceremony and at the 365 days of Men Awards Event.
You are probably wondering what informs my writing? Well I got you on that! When approached by event planners I enquire about the theme of the event and then align my poem to the event. However, over and above everything I am informed by social issues and encounters I have had to face. My work seeks to tell stories of the brokenness in our societies, the continuous healing taking place within us as human beings, most serves as a voice that can resemble the thoughts of many in all parts of the world.
Jonga sana! I am not sure if I will write a poetry book, but I believe that could be a beautiful journey to embark on and maybe get my poems to be studied by literature gurus of all time haha and make them part of the education curriculum. Let me soak my thoughts into that and see what we can cook… However, I am in journey of starting a podcast, so I might as well make it a young Verses&Voices poetry session.
For Bookings :
Email : metsileng24@gmail.com
TikTok : @lebogangmetsileng
Youtube : LebogangMetsileng8969