MPOBA KNOWLEDGE MONYEKE
He describes his poetry as the music of the heart and liberation to his emotions blended with thought. His poetic pen bleeds from critical analysis of whatever issue he writes about, wrapping his poetry in thick and warm blankets of philosophical knowledge his poetry speaks with the powerful wind that fiercely removes roofs of ignorance people live under. Poets Blog quenched its thirst with water from the well of Mpoba ‘Knowledge’ Monyeke.
Q: Who is Knowledge?
A: Knowledge is a down to earth guy and a very conscious poet.
Q: When did you fall in love with poetry?
A: Well I fell in love with poetry around 1995, but at that time I was used to reading poetry anthologies. I started writing my own poems in 2008.
Q: Why did you choose poetry out of all art forms?
A: I guess I consider myself an introvert and hence whenever I feel I need to express emotions running through my mind and heart I always find the pen and paper appropriate to act as my outlet, poetry acts as my remedy.
Q: What inspired you to start writing?
A: I was inspired by a lot of people but I guess Killer Priest takes a big share. Other than him I was inspired by one local poet I heard from Dj Bootz’s Friday show who goes by the name of Lyrical Bacteria.
Q: What is your personal definition of poetry?
A: Poetry is the music of the heart, liberation of my emotion blended with thought.
Q: What do you think is the role of poetry in society?
A: Poetry is more than just an art form, it is a convenient tool of educating the people, for instance with our Poets Paradise Male Poets Project we were able to educate the people about the negative impact and disaster caused by gender based violence.
Q: Who are your top three local poets?
A: My number one poet is ‘Makuena Ivy Mohola, secondly Senekane Ralebitso and lastly Ithabeleng Nthabane.
Q: Your top three international poets?
A: Napo Masheane, Mzwakhe Mbuli and Ntsiki Mazwai.
Q: I understand that you are based in South Africa where you are schooling, what do you think is the difference between our poetry sphere and theirs in South Africa?
A: Well honestly I have never had chance to attend a lot of poetry gigs but from the few that I have seen is that fellow South Africans give their poets more attention than one could get down here, there is more appreciation of the art form and those practicing it.
Q: Why the name Knowledge?
A: Interesting question! Well I love reading, it is my hobby so I used to read philosophy books a lot and I ended being given the name The Philosopher by Deeva but I changed my name to Knowledge, to represent a young adult trying to find all the necessary skills in life to be able to live accordingly, which just meant I am a young person or poet seeking knowledge.
Q: Have you ever performed live?
A: I have performed live only once, at Times Café.
Q: Have you ever collaborated with any poet?
A: No not really. I did suggest that to one of my fellow poets, Sechaba Keketsi but I guess due to many reasons the collaboration hasn’t seen the light of the day.
Q: Your last words?
A: appreciate your talent and utilize it accordingly for the benefit of yourself and other people at large.
He describes his poetry as the music of the heart and liberation to his emotions blended with thought. His poetic pen bleeds from critical analysis of whatever issue he writes about, wrapping his poetry in thick and warm blankets of philosophical knowledge his poetry speaks with the powerful wind that fiercely removes roofs of ignorance people live under. Poets Blog quenched its thirst with water from the well of Mpoba ‘Knowledge’ Monyeke.
Q: Who is Knowledge?
A: Knowledge is a down to earth guy and a very conscious poet.
Q: When did you fall in love with poetry?
A: Well I fell in love with poetry around 1995, but at that time I was used to reading poetry anthologies. I started writing my own poems in 2008.
Q: Why did you choose poetry out of all art forms?
A: I guess I consider myself an introvert and hence whenever I feel I need to express emotions running through my mind and heart I always find the pen and paper appropriate to act as my outlet, poetry acts as my remedy.
Q: What inspired you to start writing?
A: I was inspired by a lot of people but I guess Killer Priest takes a big share. Other than him I was inspired by one local poet I heard from Dj Bootz’s Friday show who goes by the name of Lyrical Bacteria.
Q: What is your personal definition of poetry?
A: Poetry is the music of the heart, liberation of my emotion blended with thought.
Q: What do you think is the role of poetry in society?
A: Poetry is more than just an art form, it is a convenient tool of educating the people, for instance with our Poets Paradise Male Poets Project we were able to educate the people about the negative impact and disaster caused by gender based violence.
Q: Who are your top three local poets?
A: My number one poet is ‘Makuena Ivy Mohola, secondly Senekane Ralebitso and lastly Ithabeleng Nthabane.
Q: Your top three international poets?
A: Napo Masheane, Mzwakhe Mbuli and Ntsiki Mazwai.
Q: I understand that you are based in South Africa where you are schooling, what do you think is the difference between our poetry sphere and theirs in South Africa?
A: Well honestly I have never had chance to attend a lot of poetry gigs but from the few that I have seen is that fellow South Africans give their poets more attention than one could get down here, there is more appreciation of the art form and those practicing it.
Q: Why the name Knowledge?
A: Interesting question! Well I love reading, it is my hobby so I used to read philosophy books a lot and I ended being given the name The Philosopher by Deeva but I changed my name to Knowledge, to represent a young adult trying to find all the necessary skills in life to be able to live accordingly, which just meant I am a young person or poet seeking knowledge.
Q: Have you ever performed live?
A: I have performed live only once, at Times Café.
Q: Have you ever collaborated with any poet?
A: No not really. I did suggest that to one of my fellow poets, Sechaba Keketsi but I guess due to many reasons the collaboration hasn’t seen the light of the day.
Q: Your last words?
A: appreciate your talent and utilize it accordingly for the benefit of yourself and other people at large.
