The dream of performing at the opening of Parliament came true last week for local poet, musician, and praise singer Lutendo Evens Mugagadeli, better known as Vendaboy Poet.
With seven albums under his belt and 14 significant awards, Vendaboy Poet is regarded as one of the country's leading poets. He has performed at many esteemed events but still had one wish: to perform before parliamentarians and the President of the Republic of South Africa.
His wish was granted on Thursday, 18 July, when he was selected to be the praise singer during the opening session of Parliament in Cape Town. The popular poet from Hanthabalala transformed the normally cold Parliament benches into hot seats and kept the new parliamentarians wide awake.
"This came at the right time. With a new sheriff in town, the first sitting of the seventh administration under the auspices of the Government of National Unity (GNU) was an extraordinary performance," said Vendaboy Poet.
"Remember, it was through this paper that I made a plea to praise President Cyril Ramaphosa when he entered Parliament, but the opportunity continued to evade me. I only managed to meet the president during a domestic flight, where I praised him. I also had the chance to perform before him during a function in Thohoyandou at the end of 2023. My wish has always been to praise him in Parliament," he said.
Vendaboy said the poem he recited was about change, peace, employment opportunities, unity, and hope. "I have never seen the president that happy. The warm reception I received from parliamentarians is the best thing ever in my career. This has given me more exposure and boosted my morale so much," he said.