PEOPRESS: An Intriguing Compendium

A review by Helen Namponya

Looking at the very first issue of the PeoPress I can’t help but be filled with reminiscence. A year ago my link to this project and Macufe Poetree was purely as a supporter. I remember just how excited I was that Jahrose had put together something so different and unexpected. I was filled with a sense curiosity.

That and the fact that two people I work closely with and manage were part of it, Tank as a photographer and 2Nyce aka MoneyNyce as the only hip hop act on the line up. It was not only a night of firsts for us but also for Jahrose whose hard work in putting this project together cannot go unnoticed.

The idea behind this book was not merely about putting together a collection of poems or in MoneyNyce’s case lyrics, but to introduce readers to the minds behind the works. PeoPress has been a year in the works and a year of challenges it was. Firstly, I’ve never worked on a book before. Secondly, two pregnant women working together meant raging hormones and I’m certain at times Jahrose and I wanted to murder each other but alas everything came together. I can honestly say that we are as proud as ever to have been able to put together this collection of fine poems/lyrics and insightful interviews which will entertain you, provide you with refreshing points of views or simply conjure up images in your mind that will move you.

You may also learn a few new things while paging through PeoPress, for instance; who knew that as a child Jahrose’s interest lay in music? Or that Natalia Molebatsi has for the past decade taken her poetry to high schools countrywide? Hector Kunene is inspired by “life, trees and the wind that blows from one end to another” while Thabiso “Afurakan” Mohare chooses to describe himself as “scorned and adorned. A king with no throne.” Did you know that Sheila Khala has authored two books named “Formula: Leading Life to Perfection” and “My Pen is a Socialite”? Or that Dr Kool believes poetry has helped prepare his mind to think clearly and see the world differently?

I believe what makes PeoPress unique is that there is a little something for everyone, poetry lover or not. From Jahrose’s Sotho poetry which will elicit emotion even in non-Sotho speakers such as myself, to Myesha Jenkins’ mature voice and Hector’s urban blend of provocative poetry in the form of “I am the Kangataker” in which he says:

“I see through the Kanga then I am aroused!

It mesmerizes my inclined mind to the core of the night browsed

I unwrap it slowly with just one simple pull and untie”

And of course who can forget MoneyNyce’s “Survivor” in which he tells his story of never giving up and approaching life’s challenges with “the heart of a lion and the spirit of a fighter”.

For me what was so important about a publication of this nature is that it not only recognized “national” poets such as Natalia Molebatsi, Lesego Rampolokeng, Napo Masheane, Thabiso “Afurakan” Mohare and Myesha Jenkins but acknowledged local poets and highlighted the important contribution that they make to this art form. After all if we cannot recognize and give praise to our own, who will? So to you Jahrose, Hector Kunene, Sheila Khala, Dr Kool, Rita Chihawa, MoneyNyce, Melo-DJ, Reah Matobako, Exquizit, Icebound and Lebo Leisa, I salute you. Thank you for not only sharing your works but for sharing your personal experiences in this book and allowing us to learn just a bit more about each of you.

I’ll end of by saying thank you to Jahrose and Jahrose Productions for not only allowing me to be a part of this beautiful project but for affording my team the opportunity to be part of it through the use of Tank Khumalo’s dynamic photos and giving MoneyNyce the chance to share the stage with such amazing talent. We have not only learnt and been challenged but have through this experience been able to grow.

In Jahrose’s words:

“While Poetree is a space where poets from various branches

Come together with their different colour coded leafs

As gifts to inspire one another in sharing their stories

Through their crafts, poems, melodies and the mic,

All embracing the beauty and the importance of literature.

For the roots of the Poetree

Shall forever remember

Through preserving and Documenting

Our time, existence and moments.”