Word power takes poet all over globe
Multitalented Nong dances, sings, acts
Poet and musician Molefe Smith Nong knew from a young age that he was a wordsmith.
Nong says he used to make a lot of money at school through writing love letters and poetry for his friends who wanted to impress girls.
The 28-year-old says he used to charge R2 for writing a letters or craft a bespoke poem.
By the time he was at Meadowlands High School, in Soweto, he was already making a living out of his talent. Now he has set his eyes on carving an international profile.
He was born in Zone 1 Meadowlands and next week he will take his rightful place in the line-up of Poetic Thursdays at Soweto Theatre.
The concept was started two years ago and it gives young poets and musicians a platform. Nong, who is the founder of Soweto Street Poetry, a series of poetry events, is looking forward to his upcoming performance.
“The performance will give me a chance to showcase my versatility as a poet. I will entertain poetry fans with poems about love, abuse, and also do classical stuff.”
The talented dancer and actor wants to use his upcoming performance as preparation for his international tour at the end of July.
He is set to visit Edinburgh, Ireland and the UK. He says he got the international connection while touring with the musical Shona - The Musical.
“I used to dance, sing, act and do poetry in the musical. I was spotted by international producers and they felt I can have my own show. I have been doing this international tour for the past three years.”
Nong is also part of a Joburgbased theatre collective that facilitates workshops and produces stage work. He believes that poetry is not taken seriously in South Africa, and it is seen as a subject of study more than as an entertainment.