THE BLVCK POPEYE

get anything from dragging someone on Social Media.

What would you like people to know about you that only you know?

I love people but I have social anxiety. I mask it well and I am an over thinker.

Please share something personal to you through your life journey.

I went through a really dark period in my life where it was hard to even get up in the morning to face the world. I felt worthless, hopeless and just wanted to give up life. I wanted to quit. I thought I was losing my mind, I did not think I was going make it, but, with God’s grace here I am today.

What is something that stood out still stands out in your journey that made you who you are?

My resilience .I May fall a couple of times but I always find a way to get myself up.

What has been learnt lesson? your life

It has been surrounding myself with people that bring me joy, love and peace but most importantly you cannot expect to receive what you do not give.

Please can you shared more light on the dark period you went through and how you got out of it?

I felt alone like it was just me against the world. Like I had come to the end of my rope and there was no way forward, everything seemed pointless to even try but I prayed, I went to therapy, slowly I started getting out of the house and exercised a little, spoke to friends more and started making music again. Looking back, I can say that I have made a lot of progress and I am a lot kinder to myself now.

Lastly, please share some words of motivation to people going through a similar period or phase.

My words of motivation would be; try to be kinder to yourself, acknowledge that you are not okay but always remind yourself that what is in your head is exaggerated and some of it is not true, try talking to someone who cares about how you feel. I promise it does not last forever. Pray, try to eat well and exercise. Take it one day at a time, it is not going to be a linear process but eventually things change.

BMndzebele, stage name ‘M Age LePoet’ Started doing poetry in 2011 while he was still in high school, and started performing publicly in 2016.

He was inspired by his literature teacher named Mrs Malaza because of the way she recited poems during her class.

That is what made this poet fall in love with words and word play. He then discovered Qibho Intalektual who became his favourite to date. What drove his passion was the urge to write better than his last poem.

Mdzebele then went on to join a national poetry competition hosted by Macford Sibandze and The National Council of Arts and Culture.

This is where he was named one of the best locally.

He then performed at the Miss Cultural Heritage event in 2016, performed in Moses Mabhida Stadium, performed at the launch of Sikhumbuzo Shongwes foundation and a lot more national events.

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The poet has released two albums namely; ‘Love Day’ and ‘Usibane Kim’ and is currently working on his third album titled ‘The Bible o f Age’.

We asked Mdzebele what challenges he faces in the industry and he said: “The poetry industry is getting