Passionate about literature, Luyolo Vukuza’s poem titled Inkwenkwezi Eziqhaqhambileyo won first prize after he participated at the Dr. Phyllis Ntantala and Prudence Mabele Public Lecture held in August 2022. The lecture was hosted by the University of Fort Hare in collaboration with Nelson Mandela University.
Vukuza said “the poem was written to highlight social ills in our society that contribute to the prevalence of gender-based violence and rape. The poem aims to instill a mindset of people in society to curb GBV and rape statistics.”
The 21-year-old is a second year student in the Bachelor of Education programme at Walter Sisulu University. Vukuza said that he competed in creative writing against 36 undergraduates and post graduates from University of Fort Hare, Rhodes University, and Nelson Mandela University.
The public lecture was themed “Let’s Hear Them Speak” which highlighted the intellectual contributions of two women who lived in different generations and spoke powerfully on challenges of justice for women and children.
The Mount Frere-born said that his love for literature landed him to spend his heritage day at SOS Children’s Village in Mthatha, reading children’s stories as part of giving back.
I plan to visit schools in order to encourage reading and writing to young children. – said Vukuza
