Credits
Poet: Thobeka Kenene
Keyboard player: Mvuzo Mnyaka
Photographer: Nobulali Kenene
About the Artists
Thobeka Kenene is a stage poet with a rich history of performances at notable venues and festivals. In 2012, she graced the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex (MBTC) during the Praat Festival, sharing the stage with renowned poets such as Lebo Mashile and Lesego Rampolokeng. That same year, her talent shone at the Yiyo Festival, another significant event held at MBTC.
The following year, in 2013, Thobeka made her mark at the National Arts Festival Wordfest, an annual gathering hosted by Amazwi. During the same period, the National Library of South Africa recognized her abilities, inviting her to perform at their heritage celebration in Pretoria. Thobeka's academic journey led her to the University of Witwatersrand in 2014, where she pursued Drama for Life and successfully completed her BA Honours degree in Applied Drama and Theatre. In September of that year, her performance of "Unomsa" at Soweto Theatre was a highlight as part of the Drama For Life Mvuso Showday.
Beyond poetry, Thobeka Kenene is also a talented writer of children's fiction. Her short story, "Ezintakeni," gained recognition when it was published in the Nal’ibali Sunday Times Supplement in August 2016. The year 2023 marked a significant milestone for Thobeka as she received funding from ECPACC in July. This support allowed her to bring to life the project titled "Nobenguni Rises." Utilizing this opportunity, she launched two poetry books, "Ezintakeni" and "Praying Mantis," both of which contribute to the vibrant literary scene in Gqeberha.