Poet follows her dreams

Lerato Sibanda’s mother nurtured a love of reading in her daughter believing it offered a window on the world beyond the township, of Ga-Rankuwa. It did.

The Thornton poet, who was reading four books a fortnight by the time she was six, will perform at the McGregor Poetry Festival in the winelands from Friday August 26 to Sunday August 28.

Lerato, 31, credits her mother, Angeline, who put her through private school on a receptionist’s salary as a single mom, for getting her where she is today and for being the inspiration in her life and in her work.

Lerato came to poetry from the world of journalism – in 2012, she was among15 young people from across the country who were selected for a cadet journalist learnership with Independent Media.

After the learnership, she joined the Pretoria News for almost two years.

But then one day in the newsroom, she had an epiphany.

“I just realised, and said to myself, ‘You know what, Lerato, you are an artist, and you’re just denying it because you are afraid.”

So she quit journalism and started pursing her passion for poetry.

“I believe that expression is a gift.

“You can speak to other people, you can entertain and entice other people with your poetry,” she says.

For her, performing poetry is very different to writing it or simply acting.

“It is something more personal.”

She says she has never written anything that doesn’t reflect what is happening in her life.

Through it all, the realisation that she is who she is because of her mother’s hard work and many sacrifices has remained a constant thread in her life.

“As a child, I knew there were times that my mother was having a difficult time – but she strived, and she strived to give me the best no matter what. I am so grateful for that.

“Thanks to my mother, I am who I am today.”

But, Lerato believes everyone has the power to passionately pursue their purpose in life and the strength and willpower of women is a theme she returns to often in her work.

“As you read my poetry, you will see that you are moving through the different phases of my life.

“I have always had a love affair with words,” said Lerato.