THE SAILORS REVIEW ISSUE 64 (20 NOVEMBER 2022)

The Sa il o rs Review

THE AFRO FUSIONIST PAR EXCELLENCE

Tirelessly building up Kwekwe's own music hub

My name is Manasseh Mapfumo aka Jnr Spearz from Kwekwe, a part of Zimbabwe's Midlands province. God has been faithful over the past years and I have managed to independently own a recording studio under the label NESH REC(ZW). My focus is on songwriting, music production and sound engineering.

The Art of Music is a handsomely illustrated and rich interdisciplinary activity, look at the mutual influence between music and the visual arts across cultures and eras.

My music genre is Afro fusion which is a combination of two or more genres (Jazz, afro pop, trad) but as a producer, I attend to a variety of genres which include gospel music, hiphop and a bit of dancehall. To me the year 2022 has been very fruitful. I managed to record a number of artists including Spencer Mugoni, Ras Caleb, Feli Nandi and other projects with bigger artists not mentioned which are yet to be released first. I have also managed to perform as an artist at different coporate events and also I have managed to offer my sound services through out this year, powering up much bigger

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

MANASSEH MAPFUMO THE AFRO FUSIONIST PAR EXCELLENT

PUBLISHER’S

NOTE

MANASSEH MAPFUMO THE AFRO FUSIONIST PAR EXCELLENT

events like Mimosa Annual Sports and Funy day and "Tour The Great Dyke". This has helped me grow my brand name as a sound engineer now recognisable by bigger brands such as Hard Sounds. Due to a better cash inflow, I have managed to enlarge my territory by purchasing new equipment both for the recording studio and PA system.

My participation in Sailors' programs has contributed positively to my artwork to a greater extent. This is because the platform has created a conducive environment for interac tion between artists regardless of area of specialisation (poet, producer, sound engineer, performing artist, you name it). Due to the interaction, I have managed to learn from other artists in appreciating their works, hence enhancing my own art work. I went further to create personal relationships with those in the same field with me thereby sharing ideas, knowledge and experiences. All this has improved my skills from the time I joined the VaChikepe and the Hundred Sailors (#VHS).

I would like to encourage fellow Sailors as well my Kwekwe based fans to work hard towards their destinies and be able to acknowl edge each other and work together (rume rimwe harikombi churu). I would like to appreciate that if you want to make it you need to network as much as possible to attain your goals. Do not stop flipping the next

page of the book until succeed. Work hard, and do not be afraid to explore, because you never know which door leads to a breakthrough. And this also applies to all fellow artists all over the world.

As a music producer, I see better days ahead as more artists will be coming through, more new young artists are coming on board. I am also happy schools are now opening up for pupils with extra mural talents and trying to assist them vocationally. This implies more work for us and this is the opportunity to shine and show the world what we all can offer. I advise Zimbabwean producers to upgrade their equip ments whenever necessary in order to attain best practice standards in terms of quality service provision.

You can reach out to me on Meta (formerly Facebook) its: Manasseh Spearz and the page NESHSOUNDS ENT(ZW). On Intsagram its neshsoundsent whereas on YouTube its NESHSOUNDS ENT official. My email address is manassehmapfumo4@gmail.com.

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

VISION

Grooming world class artists through appreciating poetry and other forms of Art

MISSION

To publish the power of Poetry and promote other forms of art by creating a sustainable worksta tion for artists, to fully connect with each other and the world at large

GOALS

Enhance quality products and services

Increase brand awareness

Redefine the meaning of Art and its power

Being resilient and sustainable

OBJECTIVES

Schedule regular online training seminars

Invite different trade experts for workshops

Promote group competitions and awards among artists

Discover and incorporate outstanding artists

Make use of social media and all media institutions

Encourage quality art production and funding superlative projects

Creative outreach programs for schools and the communities at large

Organize International tours and invite artists in resonance

Build a culture of humility and respect

To inspire the whole world to be an inspiration

VALUES

Passion Commitment

Teamwork attitude

Transparency and professionalism

Respect, honesty and trust

Humility and thoughtfulness

Every artist matters

Embrace deep artistic research

A lifetime of creating, publishing and sharing art Gifts oriented approach

Be a visionary and nurture more visionaries

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

Manasseh Mapfumo, Martin Chivaku, Griot Kunyora Kutaura, Pikitayi The Poet, Yasus Afari (Jamaica), Sa maita, MJayNorton, Pinkleen Oinokwesiga (Uganda), Ankwasa Harlord (Uganda), Sam Phylo (Nigeria), Ken nedy Ochieng (Kenya), Zomkhonto, Michael Mwangi Machaira (Kenya), Barbra Breeze Anderson (Germany), Ngonidzashe Mhizha, Catherine Ngazimbi, Brendon Chapandara, VaChikepe: The Poet, Shogo Agogo, Pastor Mbongeni T. Zhungu, Abdul Gani, Glenn Carstens Peters, Harli Marten, Kelly Sikken, Taylor Smith, Youssef Naddam.

LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

WORDS IN VERSE I:

SOLDIER

I pray for you my child! I pray to my God on behalf Of you. We may have different Beliefs and stuff, but, I pray For you my child! I pray Because it's not safe Out there!

I pray for you to walk Through the fire and not Burn.

I pray for you to fall down And not forget to rise Up again!

I pray for you to die And rise up alive. Than To not die whilst not Living!

I hope for you my child! I hope God rises on behalf Of you. We don't have the same Mindset and stuff, but, I hope For you my child! I hope For you because it's Dark out there!

The darkness is consuming The light and...let it not Be your shadow that Goes missing into The void!

I pray...

At times, you have to lose A lot of things, just to realize That there's a lot of stuff You need in this life!

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

It's cold out there, it's cold! But I pray that you catch The cold and not have Ice on your chest!

I pray you sneeze The ice away!

I pray that they reject you! I pray that they betray you! I pray that they neglect you! I pray that they sell you out!

I pray for every bad thing To happen to you! But, I pray That you don't be the bad Thing that happens to This world!

I pray for you my child! I pray to my God on behalf Of you. We may have different Beliefs and stuff, but, I pray For you my child! I pray Because it's not safe Out there!

I pray you go to hell my child! I pray that you regret every Evil thing you ever did to Every good thing! But, I pray that you do Good and never Regret a thing.

I pray for you my child! I pray that you break your Legs as you try to run!

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

WORDS IN VERSE I WHICH WORDS ARE YOU CONFESSING THIS YEAR? VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS

I pray that when the war Comes, you'll be on the hill Carrying the swastika and Save every one of us!

I pray that you die my child! I pray that you become The hero in death.

I pray that you do not live I pray that you do not become The coward the world is Ashamed of! By Martin Chivaku @DA_Scripta

chivakum@gmail.com +263718777471 +263775377656

TSAMBA KUNA ZAME

Ndanyora ndichisvimha Ndakakotama Ndakarereka wangu mutsipa mumusoro Ndichibvunda Kudedera serutsanga mumvura. Ndichitonyarazve sembwa yarasa mweya pachakata chevanhu.

Zvakadaro ndinobvuma panemi Zame Kuti ndakatadza kwazvo. Ndaremaerwa saka ndati Ndinokumbira munditure tundu iyi Ndoda kusvikawo iko kwamugere Nekuti chigaro chenyu chinoyera ndakangonzwa Saka ndinotya kuchigara magadziko angu ari matema... Regai nditange, Ndakaba, Kamwana kaye machembere iya ndakabwanya mapfupa, Ndinoroya, Ndinouraya Nemazwi pamwe nemidzi kana minondo chaiyo. Ndaka... Ndaka... Ndaka... Pomba Ndaka.. NaJimi Jonzo Semu, Baba nhangirini Pamwe nekutoputsa yevanhu misha Ndingati muupfupi Yenyu mitemo inegumi Nefararira Ndakaita kuvhuna Kutora demo kutema tema chaiko Zvino kuisunganidza kworwadza

WORDS IN VERSE I WHICH WORDS ARE YOU CONFESSING THIS YEAR? VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS

Ndorangarira simba renyu

Tenzi Ndipeiwo zororo Ndochema Tenzi ndiregereiwo Ndakakutadzirai

Plain Mess

Ndichifadza nyama yangu Ndaifamba pakushooora Kuzvidza simba renyu Nyika yacho iyi haichada Zvirwere pandiri tukutuku Nzarazve yavapedyo nekutsinhira rufu mumba mangu... Saka ndati ndireurure nhasi... Mwari Ndipeiwo zororo...

By Griot kunyora Kutaura (Tallence Sanyangowe)

tallencesanyangowe@gmail.com 0776648176

WORDS IN VERSE I

CONFESSION

Confess to confuse Confuse to confess Will I be lying if I confessed For you to hear Will my heart be set free?

O just let bygones be gone Or the dead bury its own dead Why open the Pandora’s box When it’s closed and locked And the key thrown away?

My Creator demands Confession to be forgiven Forgiven but not forgotten Past will always haunt jogging the today If not buried alive to stay dead

Just as rivers don’t Flow backwards To flip my coin of sin To banks of rivers that shudder with spillage

To expose my atrocities from their beds

Let it rain on my atrocious past So that my heart_mind can be cleansed The waters may discolour but just let them clean it all away

I confess O Lord let me just not Mention it all one by one Lest I forget and not be forgiven for the sin of omission Cleanse me O Lord of all my sins Committed in omission and commission

Let’s bury the hatchet Let’s start anew as I am saved by grace Will I not sin again, I cannot promise But help me Lord not to deliberately sin yet again

By PIKITAYI The Poet

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

According to Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

This is an amazing definition of Art, especially Music! I have listened to MbiraDzeNharira’s music intensively and exten sively from 2008-2015 and I came to conclude that Mbira Music is the Best Music from Africa and from the Ancient times.

This musical instrument has been played by the Shona people for over 1,000 years and other versions of it has existed from time immemorial: BHURUGWA REMBWA INSTRUMENTAL:

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

According to Michael Bassey Johnson...

"When you are convinced that what you offer is yours, whether it be mediocre or of standard quality, your originality will make people love you in a way you did not expect."

Congratulations to Joseph Matanhire also known as MJAY NORTON Music on this beautiful journey and we are going to sail ⛵ with you through this lovely meditation, you have shared with us today!

Michael Bassey Johnson, concludes by saying... "Life begins when you start something, and blooms when you keep doing it."

Friends and family click on the links to hear the song entitled, “TISANETSANE" by MJAYNORTON!

LISTEN, MEDITATE, ENJOY AND SHARE WITH OTHERS

1. Apple Music 2. Spotify 3. Amazon Music 4. YouTube:

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

THE SAILORS MUSIC COLLECTION NEW RELEASES

Here is my Latest Poem is entitled, “How Far Are We From Food?“

“U.N. development goals call for ending extreme poverty and having zero hunger by 2030, but the report says projections indicate that 8% of the world's popula tion — nearly 670 million people — will be facing hunger at the end of the decade. That is the same number of people as in 2015 when the goals were adopted.”

I guess, we still have a long way to go! In this musical poem, I gave a reflection of what food and an insight of what is hunger. I also gave a hidden theological-hint to end hunger!

Let there be food! Let there be Life and Let there be Happiness!

LISTEN, MEDITATE, ENJOY AND SHARE WITH OTHERS… HOW FAR ARE WE FROM FOOD?:

1. Apple Music 2. Spotify 3. Amazon Music 4. YouTube

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

Great things take time and that is the honest truth. If all goes smoothly and per plan for the Golden Spoon Maroon album rave release on the 25th of November 2022, the event is going to be epic. The deal is practically sealed as referenced on Facebook.

In two separate promotional inter views, Yasus Afari spoke both glowingly and confidently as follows:

1) YouTube

2) Instagram

What is compelling with this promising album is how a lot of prepa ratory activity behind the scenes went on from as far back as 2021 to date. This is how little by little, a teaspoonful of sugar collapses a whole loaded bag. As evidenced on social media , the lead track is already making waves in Ghana and beyond, with King Lagazee of hitz1039fm behind the promotional works, all with pomp and fanfare. The album set for release features legendary names such as: Ini Kamoze

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

IN THE NEWS: YASUS AFARI ONE VOICE MORE MUSIC

of the 90s hotstepper fame or most recently featured on Sonic the Hedgehog 2 soundtrack; legendary Beres Hammond; Tonahope; and Mik, the promising daughter to YA who gave us a splendid collaborative performance on the 4th of November 2022 opening song Plain and Simple .

On the 11th of November 2022, the track What a Sinting followed up with a tease release now readily accessible on https://vpalmusic. com/yasus-afari-what-a-sinting/ and and on the 19th Mama Africa We Love You.

For some snippets follow up on relational articles to the build up of Yasus Afari's album. You may read the following articles (click here),

Upcoming album update by Brian Manyati aka Towandah Ryan. Contactable on tawandamanyati@ gmail.com or +263772815211.

I am Fearless!

Suddenly insults started feeling homely. Everything they said to me, Was a patch to the knowledge of who I am! They wrote negativity on my palms. I owned and wore my make-up of fear

I heard the walls crack in laughter Yet I shuddered!

That I was not HIS daughter That I was just a bastard!

I got lost in the depth of the silencing Darkness around me Until HIS light shined right through me Casting the cloud of fear off my skin. Be quiet you voices in my head Flee

Feeding me with fear and draining my veins of confidence Is not a solution

I resist Be still you raging seas in my brain My calmness you cannot drain. Listen to me You cowards

I can still smell the shame dripping off your words You reek of insecurities.

I confess, I am weak But He is strong

I confess, I cannot do it on my own But my life, He owns I confess, that I am he the world seeks after I have the solutions Because He who lives in me Is greater than he in the world

I am fearless.

I confess, that I can do anything in this world Through Him that strengthens me.

I am a new creation, a chosen generation, I am a whole nation. This is my confession.

By Pinkleen Oinokwesiga (Uganda)

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

PROCLAIM

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

WORDS IN VERSE I WHICH WORDS ARE YOU CONFESSING THIS YEAR?

VACHIKEPE AND THE INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATES

This is a year

I must flourish, A year where my guardian angel, Is very awake to shield meFrom all the life's tempests. This is a year I will hit a jackpot, a year where the world will surely recognize My presence!

This year I will blow Forever to grow, Art will blossomLike flowers in summer and the world will be beautiful, As never before!

By Ankwasa Harlord (Uganda)

@Ankwasaharlord on Twitter, IG, FB, Poem Hunter

NOVEMBER IS NEW

November is new November is going to brew New potions as new doors open New things will happen

November will sweetly sing Of new things in peace November will bring Troubling things to ease

November will announce Greater blessings ahead November will pronounce Greater news ahead

November will conceive Bountiful bags of blessings November will receive Beautiful balls from breakthrough wings

November will pour out Harvest of the last month farming November will shout Of the joys of the following morning

November is great and new With new ways that are open With old doors that are closed While miracles happen Reduced is the magic and the evil dose Now real riches will roll anew

November is to remember The things of old November is to mould the blessings of the past months

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

WORDS IN VERSE I WHICH WORDS ARE YOU CONFESSING THIS YEAR?

VACHIKEPE AND THE INTERNATIONAL AFFILIATES

November is here

By designing an endless ember Of enrichment and endorsement Of the past and real ember November is clear and dear

By embracing joys in bounty

By arraying lines that are scanty November is dearly part of the year

November is a nurturing month

Bringing up newness Opening up the door of happiness Opening up the new way to her friend ember months

By SAM PHYLO (Nigeria)

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

MY CONFESSIONS

Down on my knees I am My heart's broken again Pain I feel digging from deep I have nowhere to run On your feet allow me to pour out my heart.

I'm a sinful man Who deserves no good from you I'm full of blemish and foul I'm stinking and deserve no love Yet you keep me alive each day.

You've given me life But I've never seen no good in it Each day I complain to you I detest you for putting me to suffering I receive no love, just hate and blame.

Despite all these lamentations You've never thrown me in deep slumber You've never regretted creating me You've never given up on me You've always given me chances.

You've guarded me Against death I knew not of You've guarded me Against all evil traps that were planted for me All these I knew not but you did Yet I still lamented, I'm so sorry Father.

I have all my parents I have all my siblings I have friends and dear ones Yet many have no parents nor family They have no friends nor dear ones.

I'm weak, powerless and meek

When I look at my life

I have so much in my cup to be thankful for I have so much to be grateful for Lord, I'll praise your name for your doings.

Grant me the wisdom and grace

To see plenty in the little I see in my plate I trust and believe in all you do to me I confess all these because I know they offend you I detest all these, I ask for forgiveness. Amen.

By Kennedy Ochieng ®Wanda Dewdrops (Kenya)

ARTIST LOUNGE I: ZOMKHONTO POETRY, GIVING WINGS TO WORDS

Affectionately known as Zomkhonto, Mbonisi Zikhali is a storyteller who has managed to strike a balance between artistic writing as a poet/ spoken word artist and factual writing as a journalist.

"My name is Mbonisi Zikhali and I am a poet/spoken word artist and storyteller born in Makokoba, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. I have loved poetry since I was a child. I won my first poetry certificate when I was 8 years old. My spoken-word/storytelling name is Zomkhonto, which happens

to be my bloodline’s totem. I am also a trained journalist, youth mentor, qualified community services worker, grassroots community orga nizer and mental wellness advocate. I consider myself an afro-empath, and am driven to ensure that people find joy in the power of words and story-telling.

Some of the recent publications I have appeared in include Best New African Poets 2019 Anthology by Mwanaka Media and Publishing, Ipikai Poetry Journal inaugural & second edition (initiative of the

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

Zimbabwe Poets Society) among others. My work was also showcased at the World Poetry Slam Championships (September 26-30, 2022) in Brussels, Belgium. In 2021, I was part of Artcite Windsor’s “Emancipate the Landscape”, a month-long exhibition which ran from August-Sep tember and meant to celebrate the resilience and elegance of everyday Blackness, deconstruct dominant culture and turn stereotypes about black people on their head.

I also hold workshops on writing for mental wellness. I am the current President of Artcite Windsor’s Board of Directors.

I believe poetry is a powerful way to give wings to words and sprinkle magic on our everyday experiences. Story-telling gives a voice to our worldview and also gives us the confidence to remember that our story also counts.

Between poetry and journalism, poetry came first. As I said, I won my first poetry certificate when I was 8 years old, for a poem entitled “My Bad Ears”. At four I was reading the newspaper phonetically. I do not believe there was ever a conscious connection then between jour nalism and myself, except for the mere fact that I was obsessed with words…their shape, the sounds I was taught each letter makes and also seeing the difference in how a Q for instance sounded different in Ndebele than it did in English. I was

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

ARTIST LOUNGE I: ZOMKHONTO POETRY, GIVING WINGS TO WORDS

obsessed with words. My best friend and I used to have speed reading competitions when we were young. It got so bad that during the week ends or holidays we would take out three books each from the Mzilikazi library in the morning and aim to return them all the same evening. We were ghetto nerds.

Taking up journalism was purely accidental. It was born of the tragedy that had happened at O’level when, by some incomprehensible shock, I failed my O’level literature with a D. English Literature was one of my two favorite subjects. Up until today, I still do not understand how that happened. I was confident I got an A, or a close B at the least. Anyway, long story short, I always had that hangover of wanting to write consistently, because I never stopped writing. You can say I am self-taught from then until now. So journalism seemed the next closest thing to literature that would allow me the privilege of writing. Journalism was never a conscious choice, but more of a licking of wounds.

There is always an opportunity to speak in a poetic voice, although the distinction often lies in whether you are a hard news journalist or, for example, a columnist. Right off the bat, I started off as a columnist with The Weekly Times which was unfortunately banned after a few print runs. I had a column entitled ‘Echoes of Youth’. There is some poetry-based on fact too, although

poetry’s priority is not as much fact as it is the magic that words can conjure. I never truly felt that mainstream journalism was for me. I am capable of it, but I am not a fan of being bound by editorial policy. I have a respect for free lance journalists. Perhaps, if I truly wanted to, this would be my route. I have utilized my knowledge of journalism to write for grassroots organizations. It allows me to bring the element of human interest into serious issues such as women and children’s rights, health promotion, anti-racist narratives etc.

Speaking of highlights in my career, I can’t claim to have had a journalism career, because as I mentioned above, I ventured more into non-profit communication and writing for community-based initia tives. But a journalism degree can give you more than the coveted mainstream. I certainly have had amazing highlights such as covering the Gender Summit, which ran concurrently with a protestfilled G7 in Toronto, 2010. I even ran into my former boss from Zimbabwe that time, which was memorable. Another was media research into post-conflict zones in Rwanda, which was an eye opener and perhaps the best four months of my life in another African country. I came back a changed person. As for poetry, performing recently at the 21st memorial of the Windsor Tower of Freedom memorial to the

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

LOUNGE I: ZOMKHONTO POETRY, GIVING WINGS TO WORDS

ARTIST

people that fled slavery in the US was a very emotional performance.

I am still fairly new in the position of President of the Articite Windsor's Board of Directors. Besides moderating our board meetings, signing off on documents, I believe my greatest and upcoming nervous moment is the annual general meeting mid-November. But the wonderful thing as an artist-led organization is that seeing as we are all artists, that means we have a common goal. Artcite Inc has been in existence since the year I was born (1982). So, it is such a mindblowing, humbling reflection that as I was starting life in a ghetto ten thousand miles away, this organi zation was also beginning its life here in Canada. It is such a surreal, poetic realization.

ARTIST LOUNGE I: ZOMKHONTO POETRY, GIVING WINGS TO WORDS

realizing it we nurture an environ ment where to create becomes first nature. Of-course there are other things we have to do to keep a roof over our head that are unrelated to that, but those things that have to do with art feed off each other.

Showcased at the recently held World Poetry Slam Championships, was a poem I wrote on behalf of a long time Zimbabwean friend whose daughter was turning 9 years old. He is a single father and when he approached me to write a poem, I knew I had an opportunity to mirror what I had said previously in the poem entitled “Letter To My Son And All Black Boys”. It had been bothering me that I had only spoken about a single dimension in the grander vulnerability of black kids in a judgmental world. Therefore, “This Poem Was Written With Feathers In Mind” by default became an ode to black girls. It sort of appointed itself. And I love it more because it is not angry. It is not desperate. It is not crying. It is just happy and to know that Amani (my friend’s daughter) loved the poem was amazing.

Another thing that happened before it was accepted in the World Poetry Slam Championships video contest is that it reached another Amani as far as the island of St Martens. They sent me pictures of them in class at a Montessori school, thanking me for the poem. That week I was an emotional mess. Words have power. The piece “This Poem Was Written

With Feathers In Mind” is an encour agement to a young black girl to become anything that she wants to be, to chart her own course and ignore a world that always feels it has to dictate to young black girls what they should dream. It is one of my favorite poems because it has nothing that it is rebelling against. It is just pure celebration.

I reside in North America, Canada in particular. There are some circles that do not expect one as an African immigrant to be eloquent so it is both amusing and frustrating when you hear “you really speak good English” as if it is some trophy. The lucky thing about Canada is when people listen, they really give you all of their attention. Plus, Canada is cosmopolitan in nature so it feels like everyday is an opportunity to stumble into another culture, as it is for them to stumble into yours. That makes for a very rich melting pot of literary influences. I have fellow poets who hail from places such as El Salvador, then I am of course, living in one of the settlements where freedom-seekers fleeing the plantations in the US sought refuge. So this has also enriched my writing regarding the overall black experience. Being invited into these spaces and sharing your own unique experience is amazing. It reminds one how vast the common ground is when it comes to people of African descent.

I did not attend the World Poetry

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

ARTIST LOUNGE I: ZOMKHONTO POETRY, GIVING WINGS TO WORDS

Slam Championship in person. I watched it from home. It was interesting to see several African countries in the running, and to have Xabiso Vili from South Africa win it was an ecstatic moment.

I am currently woking on perfecting a complete show that I can take on the road. I do not want to jinx it, but it has been a great many nights of lack of sleep going through the material and trying to see what works and what doesn’t. The Zoom poetry sessions are gold because they allow me to test some of these concepts. I am grateful to the spaces that have given me a feature so that I can test out lengthier bodies of work, and to the inspiration of Artcite executive Director and Windsor’s Multicultural Community Storyteller Teajai Travis for paving the way with his own full length, well-choreographed full length solo performance.

I do not believe in the concept of followers or fans, with poetry we are one big family all learning from each other. I do not do interviews for the most part since I have been trained to be the one behind the camera, the voice in the mist. When I do, the journalistic instinct kicks in and I end up annoying people by asking questions. But I think childhood in Makokoba always takes my mind into this beautiful realm. That child was one magical poet among other magical beings. Childhood in the ghetto was full of magic. This is me in adulthood trying to recreate the little bits of that magic or at least an attempt to capture the way that child viewed the world.

https://linktr.ee/Zomkhonto unites most of my links into one. My Facebook and Youtube is Zomkhonto Gabadela. My Instagram is @zikhali_zomkhonto"

Interviewed by: Miss Fit

Rebecca T Kwerengwe @miss_fit_zw tanyaradzwarkwerengwe@gmail.com

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

Raising the poetry high

Through education administration

There are unsung heroes in the poetry industry yet they help to shape the art of poetry. These deserve a huge recognition as they ensure that poetry never dies in schools. For Micheal Mwangi Mach aira, his story as an educational administrator has been a joyful one.

"I can describe myself as a writer, poet, editor, reviewer, contributor, critic, poetry and arts promoter as well as lover of anything in the creative field. Currently I work as an education administrator in Laikipia, Kenya. My penname is MMM or Triple M as fellow writers refer to me. It is a school nickname that refuses to go!

Modern African Poetry (MAP) is a poetry group that was conceived in

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

2020 during the Covid 19 lockdown and mini- curfews. There was need for poets to reach out to each other since most creative spaces were shut down and there was self-isola tion. Social meetings were banned yet there were many emerging poets. Practising established poets also needed a platform. The group has a current membership of over six thousand creatives.

The inspiration behind being an education administrator is that my parents Grace and George were educationists. I trained at Moi Univer sity in the nineties where I studied for a Bed. degree specialising in English and Literature. That was before the wind of change culminating in the clamour for second liberation. My

ARTIST LOUNGE II: MICHEAL MWANGI

RAISING

THE POETRY HIGH

where there was nationalism due to achievement of political independence, there is need for a curriculum review after every ten years. So as to to reflect issues as well as challenges of this new generation. The youth also need a chance to express themselves.

focus at work is identifying and nurturing youthful talent.The youth are the future of our great continent.

Poetry and Literature are part of the curriculum in Kenya. Poetry is useful in promoting good perfor mance as well as passing positive messages. The challenge is to make learners realize stage poetry is not different from poetry taught during the English lessons .

I also remember posting to poetry corner and literary pages of Kenyan dailies such as Standard and Saturday Nation. This made me receive recognition as a writer based in Laikipia county. Writing is part of my CV and has contributed much to my career growth.

As a patriot and an education admin istrator who loves Africa as a whole. I believe the younger generation just like in the sixties and seventies

My best moment as a poet is engaging with poets from Africa and beyond.I have worked closely with poets like AD Ibrahim, Mbizo Chirasha, MA Afroetry, Carol Akui (Kathure),Beatrice Othieno, Lewis Wamwada, Khumbulani of Heart and Soul among countless others . Gigi Gosnell from South Africa has supported our MAP programmes. Seeing poets grow and publish collections is fulfilling. I have also worked with the amazing Frank Kiptoo of Striidas Publishers that gives a chance for young writers to publish.

And with that there is a great future for poets and poetry in Africa and the world at large."

For more on Micheal click below: Brave Voices Blog Facebook

Interview By DrThembieTanya

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

SAM PHYLO

The poetry analyst

SPECIAL

MENTION: SAM PHYLO THE POETRY ANALYST

As poets the frustration comes when none is able to analyse your poems. However, some poets like Sam Phylo, are gifted not to just write their own poems but are also able analyse and help other poets in analysing their poems for the betterment of poetry at large.

"My name is Sam Phylo, l started writing in my secondary school days by composing contents about my life, my dreams and my victory. I also began with psalms.

My 'handwriting' mostly focuses on love on the basis of God's love towards man. I think of God's love for my life and I try to put it down on paper showing how it is expressed in other peoples' lives. I am a published poet with a book titled After series of training under a Tutor on content writing.

I am also someone who is well read in poetry hence l am a Poetry Analyst. A poetry analyst, analyses different poems by bringing out the devices used. The analyst studies the types and kinds of poetry. He studies and points out the errors in them and how figures of speech can be used to beautify different kinds of poetry and literature. Apart from being a poetry analyst, l write novels, stories contents and a graphic designer.

My advice to other writers is that they should try and write no matter how many writers' blocks they encounter. Poets should write according to their mind and emotions even if they don't feel like." Interview By DrThembieTanya

BOOKSHELF

Don't Give up Africa: English Poems

Anthology

by VaChikepe the Poet (Author), Clesirdia Nzorozwa (Author), Princess D Musonza (Author), Ashley Murove (Author), Tallence Sanyangore (Author), Clifford Tarerwa (Author), Patience L Gumbo (Author), Blessed Ndlovu (Author), Brian T Manyati (Author), Shorai Matambanadzo (Author), Tatenda Murangi (Author)

This anthology is the first English volume compilation thought out and originated by the young and upcoming artists and poets coming together under the publisher vachikepe.blogspot.com social networking cruise ship of like-minded individuals in Africa, Zimbabwe. Promotion of the works of upcoming talented young artists emerging from Africa`s developing nations is the main reason behind the existence of the brand name VaChikepe: The Poet. The young people coming up together have through time had the opportunity to organize themselves and be creative in various artistry areas that not only include writing and poetry but music, fine art and sculpture as well. Among other things, publishing written works to the world at large has been an endeavour that this very first anthology volume, to come from a united stable, has made a reality. To these inspired artists, each coming and passing day has served to be for sharpening writing skills and motivating one another to keep surging forward towards greatness with a lot of faith. The compilation is, therefore, to a greater extent unedited to maintain originality and each writer’s style, and will serve as a lasting reminder of how from humble beginnings thoughts and raw talent were exhibited with conviction and self-motivation to help inform and change or shape the world positively through poetry. Click here to order

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

Living Your Purpose by

Frank Nyamundero (Author)

We all seek to live a life that carries a meaningful impact and fulfilment. This devotional is a tool to help you find and understand the meaning of a life lived in its rightful purpose. We were made for a purpose and we should live to have a significant life. Click here to order

She, Her, Woman

by Zolisa Gumede (Author)

A poetry anthology on a woman's journey in womanhood. The anthology takes the reader through a woman's understanding of relationships. It also takes the reader into childhood memories, love, fear, yearning, motherhood, and then emotional growth and everything that defines a woman's condition. This anthology contains the being of a woman. Click here to order

Emotional Evolution: Thoughts

by Pikitayi by Angela Pikitayi Rugara (Author)

Through the journey of life, I aspired for success in the jungle of politics, economics and technology. Having walked that path I retired from formal employment to embark on a new adventure in art. Unbeknown to me that was where my passion was buried all along. I have never been afraid of failing, but always love to try out new things that rouse my passion. So I decided to write poetry in the hope of capturing lives and the feelings therein. Is it not humanity’s deepest need to know that we are all connected? This gathered record of poems seeks to show emotional evolution experienced, not only by the seeker of art but by a stranger walking alone; the friend who misses; and the mother who believed she was unseen. The greatest intent of this work being: It’s okay for one to express themselves as they feel. If you cannot talk then write. If you cannot fight for those in pain then speak for them. In my culture, we are often very private about how we feel. The natural answer when someone asks how we are is “Fine or okay.” These two words hide a lot of unexpressed emotions as people often give answers to one of those words with a smile. I have seen smiles with sad eyes. As you read on I hope you find yourself and others in these poems. Click here to order

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

ARTIST LOUNGE III: BARBRA BREEZE ANDERSON THOUGH BELSSED WITH A CLUTCH BAG SIDE HUSTLE

Though blessed with a clutch bag side hustle

She's

just but the best wordsmith

The Holy Bible carries with it testimony that God blesses the works of our hands. This assertion holds true for Barbra Breeze Anderson (BBA) who is not only into doing what she knows best and comes natural. She is hailed as the Book Café superstar in Zimbabwe (although now based in Germany) and is also passionate about her fashion and design ventures as a clutch bag artist. Below are her responses to an interview with Brian Manyati (BM).

N.B The Book Café was an open mic poetry joint famous for staging live poetry slams in the recent past. In her own words, it was a cultural centre that offered a venue to artists as a support and developmental platform.

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

BM: May you introduce us to the spoken word artist that you are.

BBA: My name is Barbra Breeze Anderson. I am a writer, poet and a creative conceptualiser who has a deep love for bag and fashion design. From a young age, l was exposed to art, music and fashion by my mother. Therefore, it became easy for me to incorporate my cultural background into many different forms of art like spoken word, live concerts and design projects.

Page: https://www.facebook.com/ barbrabreezeanderson Aame Creations: https://www.face book.com/aamecreations

ARTIST LOUNGE III: BARBRA BREEZE ANDERSON THOUGH BELSSED WITH A CLUTCH BAG SIDE HUSTLE

BM: According to your point of view, what is spoken word art?

BBA: From my perspective, spoken word art is an oral art of storytelling, it can be recited as poems or lyrical and musical pieces to include dub-poetry and rap. It can be very diverse because many other art forms can be included, like a poetry and musical collaboration which is a poetry recital with beatbox or a dub poet with a DJ.

BBA: I have been writing from a young age. l joined the debate and drama class in high school and went on to represent my Literature class at different spoken word competitions.

BM: To what extent does spoken word poetry rely on creative writing skills? Where do the two meet up?

BBA: Creative writing has always been the core of my career as a spoken word artist and it is, to me, a major part of the genre itself. When l come up with a poem, l normally write down the different images that l can recall concerning an idea or topic as well as the feelings that are being evoked. As l progress with my poem, l begin to think of what kind of melody or sounds can be included. This makes it easier to convey the musical structure l want if l would for instance, work with a musician. From the outlined story or purpose of my poem, comes the ideas for the performance and direction l want to take it in.

BM: How long have you been practicing spoken word poetry and what inspired you to start?

Straight out of high school, l joined writing clubs and took part in creative writing workshops. As time progressed, l made good connections in the arts scene in Harare and began performing at different art centres in the city. I was inspired by my curiosity and by the time l spent in nature when l was growing up, reading, watching films and listening to music. All these together made my childhood very bright and enchanting. l have and still make up stories in my head or stare up at the clouds when l can, because it’s that youthful zeal that got me to write.

BM: Who out there inspires you the most and why?

BBA: People around me inspire me to write and l feel that the person who inspires me the most is my mother. This is because she taught me to be flexible and multi-talented. She taught me to knit, sew, enjoy music, travel and experience different cultures openly. I grew up in a creative home where reading was encouraged, l fell in love with the stories l read and found examples of how l would like to write.

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

ARTIST LOUNGE III: BARBRA BREEZE ANDERSON THOUGH BELSSED WITH A CLUTCH BAG SIDE HUSTLE

As a result of my mom’s open person ality, l had a very social upbringing and l met so many different people from different places.

BM: Is “experimentally gifted” your pay off line? If so, how did it come up?

BBA: 'Experimentally gifted' is my artistic tagline. It was easy for me to resonate with these two words because l believe it is more fun, exciting and resourceful to try new things, come up with ideas that can incorporate different mediums of art and to not be afraid of new chal lenges and wild ideas.

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

This is how l can be a poet, a writer, a designer, an event organizer and many other things. I don’t want to close myself off and say that l am this or that, and this helps me in finding more new and exciting opportunities around me.

BM: Let us dabble briefly into matters of the heart and talk about your poem namely, Chaos's Newborn Child

BBA: The poem is one of my early works, l wrote it probably around 2010 and performed it quite frequently on different platforms.

ARTIST LOUNGE III: BARBRA BREEZE ANDERSON THOUGH BELSSED WITH A CLUTCH BAG SIDE HUSTLE

The story behind the poem is about a dream world l imagined, where l travel to, and in this world everything is upside down. Everything shifts and changes, and in this chaos l experience a freedom that l had never felt before. In this parallel world, imagination reigns and l am reborn in chaos to live as chaos. It is my love letter to imagination, the power of dreams and hope.

BM: What are your poems, Small

dreams growing and The lady of the grasslands about? What themes are behind each poem and why? What inspired you to write the poems?

BBA: Both poems were inspired by different ideas, but are connected to strong themes of hope and renewal.

Small dreams growing is a poem about finding hope even in the hardest and darkest moments. Being a hopeful and happy person

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

is never easy. However, l have learnt to be happy, to smile even when l am down and to say kind words when l am angry and hurt.

The Lady of the grasslands , is a poem about hope despite encroaching negative emotions and experiences. It is told through the perspective of a young woman who goes out to the bush to pray and meditate. She thinks to herself about the things that are troubling her, like poverty, discrimination, classism, war and strife. She wonders how the world can be better. Her innocent nature helps her to move past the heavi ness she feels and as she prays, she begins to hope more.

BM: What is the secret formula to your prowess deliveries on stage? You are multi-lingual as well, what added advantage in execution does this give you?

BBA: I began performing from when l was young. I mainly started with drama, traditional dance and recitals which l did from primary to high school. l picked up on poetry slam and spoken word after l finished high school.

There were a lot of moments where l made mistakes and there are some of my old performances that l would not listen to as an audio recording because l know I performed dismally. When I began it was normal for me to fumble with words, forget my

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

ARTIST LOUNGE III: BARBRA BREEZE ANDERSON THOUGH BELSSED WITH A CLUTCH BAG SIDE HUSTLE

lines, talk too fast, be very nervous and sometimes even abstain from performing due to anxiety. I think now, the difference is that l am fine with the idea of making mistakes, l panic less and l give myself the space to relax.

As for being multi-lingual, it has been beneficial to my artwork. I speak three languages namely Zezuru (Shona), English and German. This has loosened my tongue a little and l feel like it is possible and easy to express myself in new and different ways and l can choose which language to use to write or to speak.

BM: Which memorable live event(s) have you staged? State the location(s) of where the event(s) took place and explain why the event(s) stands out to you?

BBA: I have been organising events and workshops since l finished high school in Harare. I eventually founded Poetry and Project, a project aimed to improve on live poetry performances, work with local poets and musicians for my poetry concert series, and orga nise creative writing workshops with young people in schools and at cultural events.

I have a few memorable events but one that stands out the most to me was the Poetry and World Poetry Day Concert in 2015 in Harare. It was part of my Poetry and Concert

ARTIST LOUNGE III: BARBRA BREEZE ANDERSON THOUGH BELSSED WITH A CLUTCH BAG SIDE HUSTLE

from everyone who accepted my invitation to perform as well as the audience that came to support me. It was an experimental evening of poetry, music, jam sessions and conversation.

Poetry And Project

World Poetry Day Recap World Poetry Day Concert, Jam Session The Magic Inside Mazuva Anopfuura

BM: As a working young migrant, what is it you are doing in order to keep all kinds of challenges at bay? How do you ensure that your spoken word art performances, are both active and intact?

Series. This event was held at the then Book Café in Harare which was a cultural centre that offered the venue to artists as a support and developmental platform.

The concert, held in the evening, was in tribute to women writers from Zimbabwe, and l invited the late Freedom Nyamubaya to talk about herself and recite her poems.

Among those to perform was spoken word artist Albert Nyathi as well as for musical support, we had established musician Victor Kunonga present. I was amazed and humbled by the support l received

BBA: Living in a foreign count ry is not an easy thing to do. Germany is very different from my homeland. I have had to learn a new language, understand their culture, as well as deal with their bureaucracy.

I think it all depends on time, because work does take up a lot of my time and I do try to manage how much l take on in terms of my cultural work. l would rather have projects far apart that are more financially beneficial to me than have a full year of events but with no returns.

l also do collaborations with other artists to ease the workload and l rarely organise events alone anymore, and this has proved to be

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

a good strategy for me.

Over the years l have come up with a lot of content as an artist, and l take from that content and develop it further. That is why l believe it is important for an artist to work on having already existing material and resources, even when performances and events are rare.

A LOOK AT 'OVEREATEN'

A POEM BY GRIOT (Tallence Sanyangowe))

Firstly, the thematic concerns are all vitally buttoned and carefully treated by the appro priateness of the title "Overeaten". At best the connection within the title and the matter is plainly articulated by the use of graphic illustrations. Therefore, the reader can easily predict the subject theme, which is hunger. Malnutrition is here manifesting the whole situation and uncovering the matter through the hunger motif in hyperbole "overeaten." The diction overeaten simply denotes the issue of lacking food and that the unpleasant eating habits happened because of poverty. The poet laments and bemoans the state through the mature treatment of tone, language, atmosphere, metaphors, paradox, and other tech niques to be mentioned below.

Realistically, through the use of tone in voice the poet narrates a pitiful condition that is obvious and thus the employment of repetition in providing the emphasis. The tone is constantly driving the pace, and its rate is effectively bringing to light the issues of humanity. Evidently, the tone is misery, and from the first stanza the poet beautifully uses the tone by stating that the reason for the condition is unknown. The effec tiveness of this lies in creating an atmosphere through tone. Though the tone seems to be changing where there are some grips of hope, the rate could not altogether satisfacto rily change. The melancholy seems to be taking charge. The scenario in the second stanza stands to tell the painful endurance and the use of the eclipse testifies the continuity

WORDS IN VERSE II: POETRY ANALYSIS GRIOT

of misery and hopelessness. Through the use of an ambiguous term bear in the statement "couldn't bear the situation", the poet clearly bemoans the unfriendly atmosphere at hand. The second stanza uncovers this matter further by offering some visual images and through diction that paints a haggard scenario where one is struggling to survive and has kwashiorkor.

Furthermore, through pluralism the poet also explores the other related forms of malnutrition.

The diction in the third stanza is in this same rela tionship with the tone in depicting eating habits that are sadly not recommended, yet because of poverty one is left with no choice but to be a victim of the circumstances. The visuals of urine that is alluded in hyberbole clearly show that the poet is sick and tired of this ailing society. This at another angle, brings out the set which is African through diction such as "okra" and "sadza". Okra is what they eat most of the time and it has become the only food on the table because of the reason. The spiritual being of the poem meaning the deeper sense of the poem Overeaten is on societal failure to promote the life of its people and sadly that is underdevelopment of the underdeveloped.

The metaphor "suffered to death" is an outstanding vehicle that is driving home the issue of suffering and purporting the extent of the suffering that is in hypersensitivity to evoke feelings. The paradox in onomatopoeia "cried loud" and the alluded paradox in alliteration "not a single human heard" scratches at the failure to support the needy people in the society and to make matters worse, the government has also grown numb. Although the poet is being too basic and satiric, one should not ignore the fact that the development actors such as Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and donors alike vitally provide help in aim to eradicate the issue of poverty and malnutrition through their food programs.

WORDS IN VERSE II: POETRY ANALYSIS GRIOT

Furthermore, in the seventh stanza the poet alludes the precise diction to allocate the root cause of the problem of malnutrition. The poet at first value opens up to her poetic intention and surfaced this problem to provoke the right action which is to ensure food security. No one should die of hunger and that is why the poet wrote such a poem.

In culmination, the poet beautifully organised and presented the motif in such a way that fosters social connections and the promotion of development skills to enhance the development of societies where no one should lag behind. More in emphasis, the poet in other words, being a great satirist bemoans the human behaviour. Through the basic nature of the poem, the NGOs are asked to put more effort in their aim to improve social life. The poem is touching and emotionally draining as it cries out loudly to everyone, every human should take part in ending the unfortu nate situation. Everyone should be involved.

Analysis by Brendon Chipandara aka Goofy Chipz. brendonchipandara@gmail.com +263712969775

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

OVEREATEN

They ended up Drinking okra Without taking sadza. The reason behind was unknown!

For 3 consecutive years... They would say, "It shall be well." When? None had an idea. The little ones couldn't bear the situation And ended in a dilemma of Kwashiorkor, And malnutrition infection!

They drank it till their scent turned into okra. Even their faecal matter Had changed to green like the water. Talk of their urine, It even became slippery, Because they had overeaten okra and over drunk it.

Truly they suffered to death before they saw death itself. They even cried loud but not a single human heard them Because they had lost their voices power and echoe due to lack of starch food.

Looking at them was hazardous to the eyesight. One's eyes would turn into an ocean of tears of mercy, Not only tears But Tears of sorrow accompanied by mucus. Themselves could not even produce any watery substance from their eyes but only sticky and slippery tears because they had eaten okra to nobody's business.

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

WORDS IN VERSE II: POETRY ANALYSIS GRIOT

They ate it

Mercilessly due to lack of food. They divulged it

To it's last bone and bone. Till the earth was left with no okra seed at all...

This hunger made they behave like this, And now Their land has no more human and okra...

By

Griot (Tallence Sanyangowe)

Inspired by: A Life Some Families Are Experiencing. tallencesanyangowe@gmail.com +263776648176

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

What is your confession?

This collection of photographs is dedicated to all of us. Deep down we all have that one thing we long for the most. Be it a physical thing or a spiritual release from deep inside. It all comes to the mouth. What we say, when we say it, how we say it, why it is being said, and to who! The ques tion is and will always remain… What are you confessing?

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

PHOTO BY ABDUL GANI

PHOTO BY

BY SIGHT:

PHOTO BY KELLY SIKKEMA

PHOTO BY GLENN CARSTENS PETERS

BY HARLI MARTEN

BY TAYLOR SMITH

BY SIGHT:

PHOTO

PHOTO

THE LONG AWAITED DAWN

BY Ngonidzashe Mhizha

Ilooked at Wilfred with disbelief, what he had just said was unexpected. I remained silent as if letting his words sink a little bit deep before bursting into laughter. I rolled my eyes as echoes of my laughter faded, "You really want to go heaven? Forget about it man, this is the silliest thing you've said since we met. You're wishing the impossible, just think about the sins you've committed and how you keep on sinning, we're both not going to see heaven," I said with confidence like the devil tempting Jesus in the wilderness."

"No, Ngoni look! The important thing is if we admit that we're sinners, we must humbly confess our sins to God, ask for forgiveness, and stop committing the same sin over and over again knowingly. lt's not too late to repent."

Thinking about how Wilfred drank and smoked, and how he had just said the words left me floating in confusion. I quickly changed the subject, but his words had hit me to the core. Sinners judging other sinners for sinning differently, that's what I had just did, but I didn't feel even a tinge of guilt.

Later that evening, I turned a few pages of the book Meditations by Marcus Aurelius with eagerness and these lines caught my attention: Either the gods have the power or

they don't. If they don't, why pray? If they do, why not pray for something else instead of things to happen or not to happen? Pray not to feel fear . Or desire or grief. If the gods can do anything they can surely do that for us. After re-reading the lines, I closed the book.

For about ten months I've been trying to fill the emptiness within me with worldly joy, but it was fruitless. It's been a long time since I set my feet on the threshold of the house of the Lord. I was slowly becoming a heathen, or more of a pagan. I've been through a lot, the more I prayed the more situations worsened, giving up praying seemed to a perfect decision to me. I looked at how big and terrible my problems were, forgetting about how great and mighty God is. Why pray? Where is God? I reached a point where I thought God was non-existent, taking my life into my own hands forgetting the one who gave me life, that mistake! Talking about faith, mine had already faded.

My conversation with Wilfred earlier that day and what I had just read in Meditations intertwined in my mind and soul. As I tried to digest the words, I felt some kind of remorse. My Bible, when was the last time I had opened it? Oh, how much I've judged others for their wrongdoings instead of working on mine, Lord have mercy! I whispered and

THE NARRATIVE: NGONIDZASHE MHIZHA THE LONG AWAITED DAWN

THE NARRATIVE: NGONIDZASHE MHIZHA THE LONG AWAITED DAWN

exhaled. I was once a prayer warrior, observing fastings and preaching the Word of God in one Whatsapp group. All of a sudden I gave up, things were becoming worse. The scriptures that once gave me hope and comfort seemed to be delusional, useless I thought. I prayed yes, but that evening I realised I have been making a lot of mistakes calling myself a prayer warrior yet using the wrong weapons, praying the wrong way! I was fighting battles that were not mine, battles that were meant to be fought by God himself.

I remember most of my prayers were about asking for something from God, I kept asking and asking. Many do the same. I didn't give myself time to commune with Him, praising his holiness and exalting his name. That was my mistake. I kept asking for one thing after the other, yet not giving Him anything. Instead of asking for the power to embrace hardships, I prayed that I may not face hardships at all! Imagine, if not me then who? The saying " matambudziko haaperi pavatendi" made me feel like bursting with rage. So, as long as I pray and believe in God, hardships will always be waiting to knock at my door? Then why pray? However, not praying wasn't a solution either.

Before sleeping, I tried to pray but the words remained trapped on my tongue. It's been long. The guilty of sinning was overpowering me. I've always wanted God to do things for me at my own pace and will. I was so lost. I searched for my Bible and sat with the book clasped to my chest, with my eyes closed as if waiting for the Holy Spirit to take over control. I opened the book randomly and I came across 2 Peter 3: 9 which reads;

" The Lord is not slow in keeping his word, as he seems to some, but he is waiting in mercy for you, not desiring the destruction of any, but that all may be turned from their evil ways." I felt tears moistening the caves of my eyes. The Almighty

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

THE NARRATIVE:

does not desire my destruction, so what must I do? I played Tekina's song Tendeuka as I cried pouring out my spirit to the Lord. I felt as if layers of sin, guilt and regret were being peeled off. I felt new air and freedom!

"Lord, I'm undeserving to come before you this evening because of my transgressions. I pray for your mercy and forgiveness for everything that I have done that goes against you. Ndakaberekwa nembereko yezvivi ndikakurira muzvivi, but my sins are forgiven through the death and resurrection of your begotten Son. Lord forgive me for I keep crucifying your son over and over because of my wrongdoings, cleanse me my Father. Open my eyes so that I can see your glory. Open my heart so that I can hide in your Word, above all Lord, let your will be done not mine. Today I surrender my life to you, I'm putting you first in every aspect of life from now on.Thank you Jesus, in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy spirit I pray, Amen".

I wiped the tears and put the Bible beside me, before falling into a peaceful sleep knowing He was watching over me.

-THE END-

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

NGONIDZASHE MHIZHA THE LONG AWAITED DAWN

There is nothing as useless as doing so perfectly that which should not be done at all. Sometimes we try too hard. We search for answers and miracles in the right place but in the wrong way, using the wrong formula, the wrong method and for the wrong reasons too. At times we have our naivety to blame, but in most cases (particularly in mine) it is just pure igno rance. A classic case of people perishing due to lack of knowledge.

I have sunk myself into a fathomless pool of confusion trying to understand life. I have questioned God over so much and I have waited for answers.The answers came in the Book of Job in the thirty - nineth chapter. All the questions I had on the complete disarray of events that plague the world today - wars, diseases, poverty and hunger - Job Chapter 39 answered me. The irony of how questions answer questions.

I wanted to know why evil prevailed. Does God use floods, accidents or pandemics to punish our wrong doings? Does God allow the devil to torment us whilst He looks on and measures our endurance? Even Jesus' own disciples died gruesome deaths. I wanted to know what exactly I had to do for me to make it to Heaven. Did I have to do "good" and shun evil? Did I have to be materialy poor? Pay tithes? Endure long fasts? I even had the audacity to blame God for putting us on Earth to suffer. I pondered, searched and questioned until, "Eureka!" It dawned on me that I really didn't need to ask those ques tions after all. What I needed to seek was God Himself, the rest was none of my business. If I really knew Him then I would not ask such embarrassing questions. Infact, asking God such lurid questions was tantamount to sacrilege. I needed to understand the faith that I had chosen. I chose my religion. God's awesomeness is perceived in His ability to command such a following without promising riches. Don't mind the motivational speakers who call on you to "prosperity through Christ. "Christ was not sent to give people material riches. But that's a topic for another day...

THE NARRATIVE: CATHERINE MY CONFESSION

My point is, I have learnt to give in to God and take Him as He is, for better for worse. If I can't do that, then I might as well not believe in Him because that's all it takes for me to make it to Heaven, believing . God is not accountable to anyone. Once you believe in Him then you will understand Him and His ways. He is the I AM because He is. Job tried questioning God and he got himself a reality check.

So next time you feel God has let you down, reflect on Job Chapter 39. As for me, each time I become too overwhelmed with the sorrows of this world or become overzealous in trying to put God to task, I remember Anselm of Canterbury's confession, - "I confess, Lord, with thanksgiving, that you have made me in your image, so that I can remember you, think of you, and love you… Lord, I am not trying to make my way to your height, for my understanding is in no way equal to that, but I do desire to understand a little of your truth which my heart already believes and loves. I do not seek to under stand so that I may believe, but I believe so that I may understand”_

-THE END-

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

WORDS IN VERSE III:

Akandisiya Ndamushoma! Ndashota-Ndisisina Kwesere

Sha! Gaya! Chimoko chiya, chiya! Ndakatozosvika pakuchiperera, Wena! Ndakavarairwa ndakapinda, Nemoyo nerwatata, zvese ipapo!

Apa chainge chiine kakundida-so, Uye kakusandida kachiwoneka, Futi! Semafungiro angu, Chaikaukuleta… Kuti Blazi ava, Vanenge varibho! Asi havana kana sendi, Muhomwe!

Bhebhi ndakamusimbisa kuti, Hwani-dheyi zvichafaya! Asi Anenge anga azviona kuti Aya makata aya, tsano Ava vachabudirira Kuswera mangwana, Kwete mangwana!

Rimwe zuva tabva hedu kunodya Sadza, kwaAmai Kapoto, tiri Mumotokari yake! Ndakadzamisisa, pfungwa Ndokumuudza, kumudisisa Kwandinoita!

Bhebhi akanyatsonditarisa Mumaziso, ndokundiudza kuti… Tawanda! Uri mukomana aribho Bhigitaimu! Kana chandinoshora Pauri hapana! Asi kukuudza Chokwadi, tsoro yedu iyi Haibude! Ndine hurombo Sha…Ndirikumboda Nguva yangu Ndega…

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

Ndakamerera! Ndikashaya Zvekuita! Ndikambofunga Kumumbundira ndoregedza, Kumusiya! Ndikambofunga Kuchema!

Asi semukomana-mukuru, Ndakazvishingisa! Ndokudhonzera Kadzihwa mukati, Ndokumedzerera ndokutora befu! Ndokubata bata twundebvu twangu…

Ndokuzongomukumbira… Kumutsvoda! Zvikanzi… Tawanda, aya ndomagumo! Asi Kana uchida, tinokwanisa kuita Shamwari neshamwari!

Ndakasarudza kumutsvoda! Pakumutsvoda, ndokuisa muromo Parutivi, ndokundipa dama! Ha ha ha zvakaoma!

Ndakaritsvoda dama iroro… Kunge rakamera muromo! Apa mumoyo mangu, ndakange Zvino ndochingochema! Iweee…

Zvisina anoona, zvisina Anonyaradza! Ndiro zuva, Ratakapedzisira kuonana iroro…

Chishamiso chakazoitika… Tasangana kumusika! Ini Ndaihodha mabanana angu, Ekutengesa pamusika pangu…

Ivo vakanga vauya havo kuzotenga Magaka, ekuisa musaladhi aye…

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

Patakatarisana hana yakarova! Ndokubva tangomhoresana! Ivo ndokuenda havo kwavaienda…

Mukomana wacho, tinenge takada Kungofanana, asi iye anenge Ari nani. Zvichida pamwe Ari nani…

Izvezvi ndiri mubishi rekuitisana Nharo nemoyo wangu! Moyo Wangu uri kuti…”Vakuru, Tokumbirawo kumborwadziwa…”

Ini ndirikuti “Hapana arikurwadziwa, Nhasi! Tirikuenda kumberi here, Kana kuti kwete?”

Apa vakugara kudhuze Nekumaraini kwedu! Dzimwe Nguva ndovaona makuseni, Ndiri pamusika; mukomana Achidhaivha mota yabhebhi… Dzimwe nguva manheru, Ndakurongedza musika!

Dzimwe nguva akandirambira… Nhamo! Zvisinei, Regai tirambe Tiripo pamupedzanhamo, ipapo, Tione kuti zvichazodii…

Pamwe mukomana wake, Aitengesawo mabanana-seni, Akangodiwawo zvakadaro! Zvichida, ndichadawo zvakadaro, Kana kudiwa zvakadaro…

Asi zviri zvamanje-manje…

Haaa…akandisiya ndamushoma! Ndashota-Ndisisina Kwesere!

By

VaChikepe: The Poet (c)

Kuchenama kweve Nguwochena

Nen'anga, inoziva mudzi wemhiri kwaSave Newechikomo cheDande. Urimboi unenge usakazvara.

"Kupisa muviri mazino mwana ndomudii?" Nhova kutamba inyota yamwisai nekumupa mvura, Rongai mhuri kuyamwira anofa.

"Nzvara kamwe inochengeta vevamwe Humvana chete mukaka pamhuno uchipo Kutora mimba hakusi kuva mubereki Rukuvhute wakaisepi zvisakadya vekwako masungiro? Mutsvedzadzvinyu masamukange azere Kungorumwa hunzi pinda runa." Kamimba muteko Hunzi ndinapo uchazvara rinhi? Usachenama iwe uri weNguwochena.

By Shogo Agogo Aka Shorai Matambanadzo

BORN AGAIN SALVATION BOOK

REVIEW CONCLUSION

This book sheds light on Salvation, the most important deci sion anyone can ever make throughout their lifetime. This book may not be voluminous but it lays a deep and clear founda tion helpful for Christian stability and growth. We take care of our bodies all the time. We feed our bodies with three meals a day, we take a bath daily and we wear clothes to cover ourselves. Others even exercise to keep the body healthy and strong, but a lot of people do not take care of their spirit man.

Man is a spirit being. This is the real being of a person.

He has a soul. This involves his will, emotions and his thoughts.

He lives in a body. This is the house for his spirit man.

God created man in His own image to be like Him according to Genesis 1:26 and 27. God is Spirit according to John 4:24, so when God created man, He created the

spirit man to be like Him. The spirit man is what was created in God's image.

God then made a body from the dust of the ground, mud, according to Genesis 2:7, so that the man (the spirit) can live inside. The man lives in the body. This is why James says in James 2:26 that the spirit without the body is dead.

After that God breathed the breath of life into man's nostrils and man became a living soul according to Genesis 2:7. 18

this book you will surely learn how to take care of the spirit man. You will learn how and what to feed your spirit with, and what to do to strengthen your spirit man.

WHAT IS THE HUNDRED SAILORS?

The Hundred Sailors is an organization founded by Takudzwa Chikepe and has become a home to many -- different -- artists from different geographical locations etcetera. As they say; “love knows no boundaries,” so the same can be said about art, as strangers have become one, all in the spirit of art. The group carries a few handfuls of members, pocketful of souls and bucketful of love and the zeal to support the vision will mean that by the time we reach the end of the tunnel, the light will be held by many hands. The Hundred Sailors has different groups namely; VaChikepe and The Hundred Sailors, The Sailors Club, The Sailors Review Team (in charge of The Sailors Review which comes out fortnightly begin ning), The Sailors Music Collection and also The International Sailors Affiliates.

VISION

Grooming world class artists through appreciating poetry and other forms of Art.

MISSION

Our mission is to publish the power of poetry and promote other forms of Art by creating a sustainable workstation for artists, to fully connect with each other and the world at large.

HOW TO JOIN main vhs THE GROUP

As regards subscribing and being part of The Hundred Sailors, new and existing members should each aim at paying USD24 for 2022. Starts with a deposit of USD6 or USD12 at first then consistently and flexibly paying USD2 at the start of each month. The required subscription fee is not for The Trust Fund board, but for The Hundred Sailors as it gives us the financial muscle to tackle any challenge which may be dressed in the costume which we may refer to as ‘need.’

BENEFITS OF SUBSCRIBING TO THE HUNDRED SAILORS TRUST FUND

As subscribed Sailors we have our works marketed regularly through the Sailors Review and other avenues.

Building artsists with humility, transparency, teamwork and trust.

There are synergistic benefits of belonging in an estab lished Poetry, Music and Arts ensemble. 1+1=3 which is what synergy is and 1+1=1 which is a meeting of our minds on all Art works.

A chance to be on international tours and to mix with Artists of resonance.

Our published Poetry and Articles are edited and proof read.

Raise our artistry skills bar by participating in regular in-house and outdoor competitions amongst fellow subscribed Sailors. Being a subscribed Sailor is also an entry point to trainings and seminars whenever arranged by the Hundred Sailors Trust Fund.

In each year we have anthologies published through Publisher T.P Chikepe (Pvt) Ltd and it is us the subscribing Sailors that are prioritized.

For us there is first priority placement to opportunities that arise e.g being given the first chance to perform throughout in-house or external functions hosted or graced by us as the Hundred Sailors ensemble.

For more information contact Brian Tawanda Manyati on +263 772 815 211

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022

VACHIKEPE AND THE 100 SAILORS: 20.11.2022