NOLUVO MGIJIMA 

YOUNG poet Zukisile Ndidi (aka ‘Qhawe the Poet’) of Ngobozana in Lusikisiki has been grappling with the aftermath of a mass shooting that claimed 18 lives in September last year. The victims were shot and killed while sleeping in two separate homes in the area. To process the trauma and express grief and outrage over the incident, Ndidi used his craft to delve into the psychological impact of the violence and called for social change. He wrote a poem called Senzeni, which translates to What have we done? He said the poem was part of processing pain and trauma.

“The poem is a cry for help and a plea to people to stop killing each other,” he said. Eight suspects in connection with the mass shooting case were arrested, however, charges against two of the eight suspects were withdrawn.

The remaining six suspects have all since abandoned bail, and face several charges including conspiracy to commit murder, 18 charges of murder, kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, unlawful possession of prohibited firearms, and illegal possession of weapons and ammunition.

Ndidi said the gruesome murder left a huge emotional scar for many villagers, especially relatives of the victims. He said writing poems helps him to cope with the trauma and also helps other villagers to heal. 

“I draw my inspiration from life experience. Writing poems helps me find my voice,” he added.

Writing poems also kept Ndidi strong after he lost his father in 2007.