At the age of 24, young poet Rabelani Neluvhola is starting to make an impact in the poetry world.
The boy from Gogobole only began exploring poetry two years ago. "It was in 2022 when I was asked to recite a poem at a community event. I left a lasting impression, and many attendees came to congratulate me afterward. This gave me the confidence that I could do it. The encouragement from my teacher and parents added to my motivation and boosted my morale to take poetry seriously," said Neluvhola.
While some find inspiration for poems in dreams, Neluvhola's poetry follows him wherever he goes. "My poems are derived from life experiences - the pain and happiness that people go through in life. My ultimate aim is to publish my collection in a book," he said.
Neluvhola believes poets play a crucial role in preserving language through their work. "It was shocking to realise that our Tshivenda language was disappearing. That's why I decided to publish my book. It's up to us to preserve our words and idioms through poetry," he emphasised.
He also believes in taking initiative rather than waiting for others. "As youths, we often fail because we expect everything to be done for us. We need to stay connected to our own dreams and goals; that's what matters. Whether there are funds or not, the goal is to keep pushing forward. Eventually, circumstances will align to nurture that goal," he concluded.