Zimbabwe’s Poetic Voice Shines At Pan-African Afrotellers Conference

By Mary-Jane Nkiwane

ZIMBABWE’s creative excellence took the spotlight at the just ended 2025 Afrotellers Conference, in South Africa where Bulawayo-based poet Sondlane “Sox the Poet” Dube showcased a moving performance alongside his mentee Silethemba “Letty” Dube, a participant under the mentorship programme, WeCre8te Afrika.

Their collaborative poem, “The Worst Thing,” explored the deep generational scars and trauma caused by armed conflicts and genocides across Africa. Written from the perspective of children who witness such atrocities, the piece reflected on how the wounds of war extend beyond the battlefield shaping the political, economic, and social fabric of affected communities across generations.

The powerful performance took place at the University of the Witwatersrand’s Film and Television Cinema, during the official opening ceremony of the conference held from 23 to 25 October 2025 under the theme “Our Stories. Our Voices. Our Power.”

Sox, an alumnus of Accountability Lab Zimbabwe’s Arts for Change programme, founded WeCre8te Afrika, a mentorship initiative in Bulawayo nurturing eight young female poets. The programme uses creative expression to address issues of social justice, identity, and healing through art.

Wilson Chivhanga, the chief executive officer of Thrive Africa and founder of the Afrotellers Conference, praised Sox’s performance, describing it as “a powerful story that illustrated the struggles and aspirations of the African people.”

“It captured the lived experiences and everyday challenges that define our continent,” said Chivhanga. “It was a call for justice and for the Africa we all hope to build one that is fair, peaceful, and rooted in dignity and respect,” Chivhanga said.

The Afrotellers Conference has grown into a leading Pan-African storytelling movement, bringing together artists, activists, researchers, and cultural practitioners from hubs in Malawi, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Lesotho, the DRC, and Zimbabwe.

During the welcome reception, Lekgetho Makola, Chief Operating Officer of the Market Theatre Foundation, underscored the importance of reclaiming African narratives:

“Our stories matter because thriving societies tell their stories beautifully — in their own voices and languages. As Africans, we must do the same,” Makola said.

The head of the Wits School of Arts, Rene Smith, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to African-centred creative education, noting that Wits aims to foster “a community of artists and researchers immersed in practice-based, decolonial, critical arts technologies fuelled by innovative thinking and creation.”

Other performing artists came from Kenya, Lesotho, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, including Noluntu J, Kabelo Mofokeng The Poet, Drum Café Kenya, and Arts 4 Change.

Through his performance, Sox the Poet brought Zimbabwean storytelling to the Pan-African stage blending creativity, memory, and activism to remind audiences of the power of words in healing and transformation.

“We must be in charge of defining the African narrative. Our future depends on it,” Chivhanga emphasised.