The whitehead clings to the knobkerrie
The frail-skin to active duty
Those with blood-fizzing cuts
Can only be choice-makers
Not
decision makers
shoes lambada the poet
Monday, September 10, 2012
Revelation
Betrayal of the betrayed
Speeches already said
Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Junior
The fairness of blackness
This black continent more black than the inhabitants
The black philosophy against white supremacy
More racial than the white philosophy against black
superiority
It has been revealed
Criminals walking scot-free
The should-be-free languishing behind lice-infested bars
Criminals in lavish upmarket shopping sprees
Claiming half the parking lot for their fleet of cars
Affirmative action not active for already poor
The life blood of empowerment making the poor more poor
The poor apparently comfortable in their pavements flooded
with sewer
The poor becoming the blood donors of the life-blood of the
industry’s cure
It has been revealed
Why the rich give to the poor
Yet the poor never get rich
It has been revealed
How the laws of demand and supply are confused
Eventually only to confuse the price
After successfully confusing the consumer
It has been revealed
Why the greatest secrets of success are contained in
international best-sellers
With award-winning tags and a million copies sold
Not in the pink Financial gazette
Or the H-Metro business update
It has been revealed
Why the beauty of the body is subjected to debate
On the basis of the breasts and the buttocks
And not the benefits borne by the body to the bearer
It has been revealed
Why these revelations have been hidden away
From those with eyes and ears
Yet they were written and spoken
For all to read and listen
Right in the beginning of time
It’s a revelation.
Umpire
If I the umpire be
To which side should I belong
Winning, losing
Home, Away
If I the umpire be,
The choice top me belongs
Winning, losing
Home, Away
But if I the umpire be
The racket I should hold not
Though many a times
I decide the outcome
Winning, losing
1998 to 2008
A decade old dog
Beautiful than a 10 year old damsel
His past, her future
Always full, full in anticipation
He did not vote, so he is full
Her parents voted
She has to compensate
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Support My Indiegogo Campaign
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I wish to make professional videos for my poetry. I started a fundraising campaign to raise the funds for making the videos and mass reproducing the DVDs and also doing an official launch. You can make it happen for me by clicking on the link above and start claiming your perks. Alternatively you can share the campaign with other people who can be able to support.
Thank you for your support in advance.
http://www.indiegogo.com/project/badge/210705?a=831636
I wish to make professional videos for my poetry. I started a fundraising campaign to raise the funds for making the videos and mass reproducing the DVDs and also doing an official launch. You can make it happen for me by clicking on the link above and start claiming your perks. Alternatively you can share the campaign with other people who can be able to support.
Thank you for your support in advance.
http://www.indiegogo.com/project/badge/210705?a=831636
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Poets set Tartwort Poetry Slam Ablaze
Zimbabwean poets Robson Isaac Shoes Lambada and Michael
Mabwe set the Tartwort Poetry Slam on fire on 13 July 2012. They appeared as
guest performers at a slam that had 15 local poets competing in front of an
audience of more than 200 poetry lovers at a restaurant and bar named Cuba Nova
in Muenster, Germany.
The poets belted out their protest pieces to the audience
with energy and eloquence that sent the whole house into frenzy as they went
through their verse. They performed pieces from their new album, “All Protocols
Observed” which they launched in Harare on 14 June 2012 at the Jazz 105. Shoes
Lambada recited “Dollar for two” as an opener to the slam. This poem celebrates
the stabilization of prices as a result of the dollarization of the Zimbabwean
economy through the introduction of the multi-currency regime.
“Never in my life did I hear of a for-two in commerce
Never in my life did I
hear of a for-two in business
The only of a for-two
I ever heard was in sickness
Two paracetamols twice a day
Two salbutamols for two patients in May”
recited Shoes Lambada.
The poem went on to observe a phenomenon where we have many
products costing $0.50. However, the poem mourns the unavailability of coins.
Instead of being given a coin when you buy a product for $0.50 you are
requested to buy them as a pair hence the pricing of all $0.50 products as
dollar for two.
“…Crispy, chocolate
creams curled by courteous cookers all for dollar for two
twenty packed cancerous cigarettes tested and toasted
all for dollar for two
pink pants for a poor
partner professionally and purposefully in Peru butterfly printed all for
dollar for two
Shake-shake beer bets
brewed better than any brown beverage all for dollar for two” went on Shoes
Lambada.
Michael recited his famous “Animalistic Behaviour” just
before the start of the second round of the slam. The well thought out poem observes
similarities between the behaviour of animals and humans when they are faced with
challenges.
“ …some will develop
into rabbits as they continue with their habits,
they see themselves
filled filled with wisdom, but when faced with challenges they simply run away
some will develop into
ostriches
in the face of challenges they bury their
heads into the soil forgetting that the rest of the body is exposed,
equally stupid are
those who develop into tortoises
in the face of challenges they hide their
heads into their shells forgetting that the shell is also part of the body”
retorted Michael Mabwe.
The poetry slam had 25 poets performing. The Tartwort poetry
slam is slightly different from the popular House of Hunger poetry slam we have
ion Zimbabwe. In the House of Hunger poetry slam, we have only 5 judges picked
randomly from the audience whereas at the Tartwort slam everyone who pays their
money to watch the poets is given a judging sheet and judges every poet. At the
end of each round, the judging sheets are collected and the results are
collated to determine the winners.
The duo is due to launch their album to the global market on
today (14 July 2012) at the Schiller Gymnasium also in Muenster, Germany at the
Annual Inter-Cultural Summer Party. This annual event is hosted by The Global
Experience and the first Zimbabwean to perform at this function was the late
mbira prince, Takunda Mafika in 2010. In 2011, Takunda Mafika also performed at
the event together with Shoes Lambada. We are so glad to have social entrepreneurs
from Zimbabwe performing at this year’s closing event of the Youth Forum on
Digital Participation, We invited Michael and Rob because we partnered with the
Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights. We do hope to maintain this relationship as we
seek continuously seek to improve our communities through digital means.” commented
Carina Schmidt who is The Global Experience Director.
LIve and unedited
ZPHR to officially unveil poetry album in Germany
HARARE - The Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights (ZPHR) is
set to officially unveil their newly-released musical poetry album
dubbed All Protocols Observed to the European market in Munster, Germany
on the July 14 at a global intercultural event to be hosted there.
The album which has received a warm reception by the Zimbabwean audience after its successful launch at a colourful event at Jazz 105 in Harare is set to put the work of the militant word spoken movement on the European radar.
“The intercultural night is an annual world event that brings together people from different continents who are making a difference in their countries. We are happy as ZPHR to have been identified as people who are making contribution to our country by sparking and keeping debate alive on different issues affecting our people through the use of our artistic work,” said Robson Shoes by phone from Germany.
Their hard-hitting eight track album takes a look at various political, socio and economic issues that are affecting ordinary Zimbabweans.
ZPHR will perform alongside other cultural activists from across the globe that include but are not limited to cultural activists from Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, England, Iraq, and Germany among many others.
“For us this is a seal of approval of our work by the world and recognition of the strides we have made in contributing to the national question since our inception as ZPHR,” said Michael Mabwe ZPHR co-founder."
“It is an affirmation of why we are called weapons of mass instruction as a movement and this inspires us to continue writing about anything, everything and anyone as long as it has something to do with the issue of human rights in Zimbabwe.”
The album includes such tracks as the comic Dollar for Two, Maopareshoni naMakomishoni, the famed Todiniko Neavo, Press Freedom, Dirty Dirt and What Shall We Say And Do among others.
During their stay in Germany Robson Shoes and Michael Mabwe will also conduct workshops in schools on how to use poetry in addressing human rights issues. They will also feature as guest performers at the Muenster Poetry Slam.
ZPHR was established in 2007 to address human rights issues in a simplified but entertaining way that delivers messages to people’s door steps in a language that they enjoy listening to.
Since its inception it has made a great impact and managed to demystify the human rights discourse.
http://www.dailynews.co.zw/index.php/entertainment/37-entertainment/10585-zphr-to-officially-unveil-poetry-album-in-germany.html
The album which has received a warm reception by the Zimbabwean audience after its successful launch at a colourful event at Jazz 105 in Harare is set to put the work of the militant word spoken movement on the European radar.
“The intercultural night is an annual world event that brings together people from different continents who are making a difference in their countries. We are happy as ZPHR to have been identified as people who are making contribution to our country by sparking and keeping debate alive on different issues affecting our people through the use of our artistic work,” said Robson Shoes by phone from Germany.
Their hard-hitting eight track album takes a look at various political, socio and economic issues that are affecting ordinary Zimbabweans.
ZPHR will perform alongside other cultural activists from across the globe that include but are not limited to cultural activists from Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan, England, Iraq, and Germany among many others.
“For us this is a seal of approval of our work by the world and recognition of the strides we have made in contributing to the national question since our inception as ZPHR,” said Michael Mabwe ZPHR co-founder."
 |
| robson shoeslambada (left) and michael mabwe performing in Harare's first street |
“It is an affirmation of why we are called weapons of mass instruction as a movement and this inspires us to continue writing about anything, everything and anyone as long as it has something to do with the issue of human rights in Zimbabwe.”
The album includes such tracks as the comic Dollar for Two, Maopareshoni naMakomishoni, the famed Todiniko Neavo, Press Freedom, Dirty Dirt and What Shall We Say And Do among others.
During their stay in Germany Robson Shoes and Michael Mabwe will also conduct workshops in schools on how to use poetry in addressing human rights issues. They will also feature as guest performers at the Muenster Poetry Slam.
ZPHR was established in 2007 to address human rights issues in a simplified but entertaining way that delivers messages to people’s door steps in a language that they enjoy listening to.
Since its inception it has made a great impact and managed to demystify the human rights discourse.
http://www.dailynews.co.zw/index.php/entertainment/37-entertainment/10585-zphr-to-officially-unveil-poetry-album-in-germany.html
Poets launch album in Harare
Zimbabwe Poets for Human Rights (ZPHR) has
launched an eight-track album entitled “All Protocol Observed” that
addresses social ills and human rights abuse.
The launch featured established guest performers such as Mbizo Chirasha —
popularly known as the Black Poet — ZBC news anchor Nqobile Malinga and
Mutumwa Pavi. The poets recently performed at Jazz 105. Mbizo Chirasha
set a resounding pace for the night with his piece that rebukes
corruption and racial discrimination and applauds black empowerment.
Marlone Macebo Magwaza managed to sustain the excitement with his poem I Am Tired, which expresses deep repulsion of a “constitution that ties down” rights of citizens. He questioned if black empowerment really empowers the general citizen.
Pavi followed with Shona pieces that related to most of the listeners. His voice adjustment during his poem that advocated for freeing the voice left the audience in awe.
One of his poems, Chigaro, outlined utmost creativity by the use of metaphors.
Samuel ‘Semalod’ Mahutse did his part in a poem that applauds Nelson Mandela with a creative use of Harare’s street names.
Nqobile Malinga closed the list of spectacular performers with his piece on the Day of African Child entitled Soweto. Clad in a school uniform, the talented poet did a touching piece on child abuse.
Robson ‘Shoes’ Lambada and Micheal Mabwe backed with the ZPHR band ended the show with a spirited performance. In an interview with NewsDay, Lambada said they started the project with an aim of encouraging young people to participate in national issues.
“Decision-making has been done by old people while young people have been left out. We want to spread the message to young people who avoid participating in national issues such as voting and constitution-making,” said Lambada
“We have no bright future because some people spoilt it for us, so let’s stand and fight so as to correct the wrongs that have been done and build a better future for our children.”
Marlone Macebo Magwaza managed to sustain the excitement with his poem I Am Tired, which expresses deep repulsion of a “constitution that ties down” rights of citizens. He questioned if black empowerment really empowers the general citizen.
Pavi followed with Shona pieces that related to most of the listeners. His voice adjustment during his poem that advocated for freeing the voice left the audience in awe.
One of his poems, Chigaro, outlined utmost creativity by the use of metaphors.
Samuel ‘Semalod’ Mahutse did his part in a poem that applauds Nelson Mandela with a creative use of Harare’s street names.
Nqobile Malinga closed the list of spectacular performers with his piece on the Day of African Child entitled Soweto. Clad in a school uniform, the talented poet did a touching piece on child abuse.
Robson ‘Shoes’ Lambada and Micheal Mabwe backed with the ZPHR band ended the show with a spirited performance. In an interview with NewsDay, Lambada said they started the project with an aim of encouraging young people to participate in national issues.
“Decision-making has been done by old people while young people have been left out. We want to spread the message to young people who avoid participating in national issues such as voting and constitution-making,” said Lambada
“We have no bright future because some people spoilt it for us, so let’s stand and fight so as to correct the wrongs that have been done and build a better future for our children.”
http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2012-06-17-poets-in-human-rights-campaign/
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