Grahamstown-born poet, Siphelo Dyongman, alias Nqontsonqa Wedinga (meaning 'the crux of the matter') recently won the R1000 first prize in the Buffalo City Poetry Competition. The competition was held in East London's Town Hall, late last month as part of the Heritage Day celebrations, and as a tribute to musicians such as: Malibogwe Gcwabe, Veliswa Skeyi, The Lord Comforters and Dj Tools, who have paved the way for the Eastern Cape's budding young musicians.
Grahamstown-born poet, Siphelo Dyongman, alias Nqontsonqa Wedinga (meaning 'the crux of the matter') recently won the R1000 first prize in the Buffalo City Poetry Competition. The competition was held in East London's Town Hall, late last month as part of the Heritage Day celebrations, and as a tribute to musicians such as: Malibogwe Gcwabe, Veliswa Skeyi, The Lord Comforters and Dj Tools, who have paved the way for the Eastern Cape's budding young musicians.
Twenty-one-year-old Dyongman, a first-year journalism student at Walter Sisulu University, started performing at the age of 12 and is no stranger to scooping first prizes in poetry competitions. His social commentary poetry saw him become a regular head-liner at the Brute Force Shows that were held at Talamanca Lounge in East London.
"Nqontsonqa is a very powerful poet. He has a stage presence that commands attention, he is incrediblily gifted and I have no doubt that he will go far," said Vovee Batala, Executive Producer of the "Injongo" project which founded the Buffalo City Poetry Competition.
Dyongman's innate talent has seen him sharing the stage with some of South Africa's top musicians such as Zola 7, Ntsiki Mazwai, Glen Lewis, Loyiso Bala and Sliq Angel. He has two videos on YouTube with more than 3200 views. He also has released a 17-track album titled: Nantso Ke Into Yakho, featuring various artists from East London and Grahamstown. His poetry music is currently being aired on various radio stations such as Mhlobo Wenene, Radio G, Kq FM, Kowie FM and Khanya FM.
