Zimbabwean school girl challenges social ills faced by girls through poetry

Zimbabwean poet and a member of African Immortal Orators, Yvonne Charity Mavhuna popularly known as Detective Pombi Chirembawenduri, has said her poetry highlighted societal ills against the girl child.

“Poetry is a parablelike way of expressing what we cannot utter directly. It both entertains and educates the audience, hence poetry is an edutainment form of art,” she said.

“Poetry also resembles how our people in the past used to communicate important information through poets and this is the reason I chose to be a poet.”

An Upper Sixth student at St Eric High, Detective Pombi Chirembawenduri said her moniker came in pieces.

“I pull threads into different issues related to the rights and welfare of women and youths advocacy work, hence the name Detective,” she said.

“Pombi is a Shona name for a tap, a tap that channels water into our homes. I thereby applied the concept to our lives to spread relevant information on social issues such as drug abuse and child marriages, making it easily accessible to all.”

Detective Pombi Chirembawenduri said poetry had always been her hobby from a tender age.

“I write both English and Shona poems, but I am more comfortable with Shona, our mother language. I have ventured into several collaborations and I still believe more doors are still open for me,” she said.

“I am inspired by what I see around me, hear, read and experience, mostly issues pertaining to the way we are living in communities. I write as a voice to speak out what is whispered by hearts as I am determined to advocate for a better community.”

Detective Pombi Chirembawenduri said her desire was to perform at big international events and work with reputable organisations.

“Through poetry I want Africa to shake under the voice of Detective Pombi as poetry rearranges the issues of innovation, motivation and inspiration in our modern society, reinforcing values and dignity,” she said.

“Nevertheless, as a girl sometimes I face a lot of criticism and discouragement in my neighbourhood, which is regarded as home to social vices. I however, just look back and admire my own works, look up to my mentor and view a glimpse of who I want to be, then I pull through because of grace.”

She said funding had been a major hindrance in her endeavour to grow her career.

“I really wish to see poetry being recognised and appreciated like all other art disciplines. With the support from my fans and passion for art, I have faith that I will go far,” she said.

“I really appreciate the fans as they are the base of all art. Although art is not all fluent, through hard work, commitment and with focus and determination, one can rise to who they want to be and God will guide them through.”

Afro Poetry Times