Interview with QwaQwa Writer/Poet Kananelo Eye_M Nthoroane

KananeloNthoroane, who also goes by the name Eye_M is a young writer/poet from Free State, QwaQwa. She is currently studying journalism, but says that her ambitions lie in wanting to pursue a career in radio production.

 

‘I love creating new things, so producing will allow me to go wild with my creativity. I am more of a creative than anything. But I will go into journalism for the experience.’

We had a little chat with her about being a creative and that challenges that come with that. Here’s what she had to say:

RVL: Tell us a bit about yourself. Who is Kananelo?

Kananelo: Well, Kananelo is a lady from PhuthaditjhabaQwaqwa who is still discovering herself. So far she knows for sure she loves anything and everything that has to do with art and admires nature. She loves adventure and enjoys exploring. She believes in making mistakes and growth. Experiencing herself through her experiences and not through other people’s experiences. Kananelo is just a free spirited being who smiles and laughs with everyone with good intentions. 

RVL: You mentioned to us that you met poetry through basketball. How did basketball influence your love for poetry?

Kananelo: I played basketball in high school. All my friends played basketball and that was one way to spend time with them and stuff. We would meet up at the basketball court on Fridays after school on Saturdays and Sundays. 

One day (which was a Friday) they told me I should write a poem for the following day, we will have a mini poetry session after practice. I got home, wrote a poem. Then Saturday came and everyone was reciting their poems off by heart and there I was with my piece of paper. 

Photo by Mo Matli

I remember Talk Sick was there, and I had seen him perform somewhere and thought he was REALLY amazing! I stood back hoping they would forget about me and they did not. They told me they were there to listen to me and I should read my poem. 

When I began reading, Talk sick was enamoured with first line, and I was hooked! That for me was the same feeling a high school head boy would get if the President of the country went crazy over his work.

RVL: What are some of the challenges or stereotypes that you face as a poet?

Kananelo: I have come across people who think artists are just trying to be “cool”. People have told me I don’t look like a poet, as if we poets should have a look. I have experienced what I think almost all the artists go through; going to an event and the organiser treats you badly as though she/he is doing you a huge favour, whereas the artist makes the show.

I was asked to perform at a charity event on campus (for free). Being the person that I am, I agreed without hesitation because it was for a good course.We met up the day before the event and discussed the program. I was supposed to perform around 18:30 but ended up performing around 21:00. I felt so disrespected and taken for granted.

 

RVL: Would you say that you’re a writer first and a poet second, and why?

Kananelo: I would say I am a writer first and a poet second.I don’t want to stay in a box and write poetry and nothing else. I love literature in general and when inspiration hits to write a novel I would do so.

RVL: Which do you love most: performing or being a writer and why?

Kananelo: I enjoy both actually, I get excited about concepts I get, and I enjoy writing and bringing those concepts to life. If I were to be completely honest I would say I enjoy performing more * giggles *, I mean, I am a Gemini and we know the twins admire the spotlight. Not only do I get the spotlight when performing, I also get to tap into a different world I have created and I get to take the audience with me, which is a really amazing spiritual experience.

RVL: What message do you want to portray in your craft and are there any barriers you wish to overcome as a poet?

Kananelo: SELF-LOVE is the message I am trying to portray in my craft. I wish people would love themselves for who they really are, find their inner being and grow from within, understand who they are and see no need to apologise for being who they are. I wish people to see themselves, and not the persona given to them by the society and the media. I wish to overcome the tiny little doubts I have about myself at the back of my mind and become the woman I am meant to be.

 

RVL: It seems as though poetry as an art form has become mediocre. It circulates the same people, the same style of performing and the same topics. What is it about you that makes you stand out from other poets who come across as monotonous?

Kananelo: I believe each and every artist is unique, it’s just that most people are afraid of being different. I am not afraid of being different, I actually love being different. I try not to sound like everyone else. After hearing my poem, one lady came up to me and said “you know, I am a big fan of poetry but I really loved your poem. I relate to everything you said and it is all so true. Keep writing the truth”. I am different because I write about issues people relate to. I write about the person I am, the person I want to be and the person I am told I am. The day-to-day confusions and wonders in my head. I never write a poem with the aim to make it hard for someone to understand.

RVL: How important is it for poets to write more and not focus only on stage craft?

Kananelo: I think it is crucially important to write more. It contributes to your growth as a writer; I don’t think being an excellent performer would do you any good if you are a horrible writer.

RVL: Coming from a small hometown, would you say that the poetry community is growing in the same way it is in Johannesburg? Or do you think that it is dying out?

Photo by Mo Matli

Kananelo: The poetry community is defiantly growing, wouldn’t compare it to that in Johannesburg though. The growth process is really slow, we face a lot of challenges and Sicknatcha Poetry being the only active movement (that I know of) id doing all that it can to help grow this art in our hometown.

RVL: How important is it to read?

Kananelo: Reading to the mind is like oxygen to the lungs. It is very much important to read. Reading inspires new ideas and brings colour to our imagination, and most of all reading is fun!

RVL: In your understanding what is the purpose of poetry?

Kananelo: I see poetry as a tool used to mend broken hearts and repairs shattered souls. It resurrects hope, soothes the mind and heals the soul; that of both the poet and the audience. Also, it removes the veil of ignorance that covers the faces of many.

 

RVL: Who are some of your best poets and why?

Kananelo: Aja Monet, I think she is an amazing writer and a good performer.

RVL: You’ve performed at quite a number of events such as: Campus Spoken Poetry Sessions, Bloem Poetry Sessions, Macufe Poetry 2014 alongside Hlox Da Rebel and Talk Sick, as well as at the Sicknatcha Poetry Movement. Where else do you plan to perform?

Kananelo: First I would love to perform at some of the sessions in Johannesburg like WordnSound, Cuddle sessions etc. Then some parts of Africa like Nigeria. I also wouldn’t mind performing outside Africa, England maybe, America does not fascinate me that much, but I wouldn’t mind.

RVL: Are you working on anything that we can look forward to?

Kananelo: I am currently working on myself and my craft, then once that is done I will work on my first project, I would love to have a few poems recorded and maybe have an audio book.

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