Poet, author and skills training developer Haroldene Tshienda, who lives in Kuils River, jetted off to Johannesburg yesterday, Tuesday June 28, to take part in the 40th anniversary of the Soweto uprising celebrations along with 10 other delegates representing the Western Cape provincial parliament.
The mother of three teenagers, who has written two motivational books about uplifting herself following abusive relationships and family rejection (“Moving forward”, Northern News, March 16), will be presenting her poetry at workshops and representing her NGO, Africa Unite, which helps underprivileged children through poetry and performance.
And as soon as she returns, she’ll be gearing up for two trips across borders. On August 13, Ms Tshienda will travel to Mutare, Zimbabwe, where she’ll read her poetry for the Wakati Trust at their Annual Heroes and Heroine’s Awards.
The director, Samantha Torindo, met Ms Tshienda when they partnered on a campaign against early child marriages last year. At the awards, she will perform a poem, Phenomenal Women, in English, Shona and Afrikaans, accompanied by music played by a Zimbabwean band.
Later, in August, she will visit Scotland to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with her AfricentiQ band.
“I am thrilled my work in all its spheres is being recognised, and this is a great opportunity for me to represent my country,” Ms Tshienda told Northern News.
At the festival, she will be performing with business partner and co-performer Shamie Mabvudzi, a songwriter and producer originally from Zimbabwe.
Ms Tshienda is busy writing a third book, The Unacknowledged Specialist – The Woman, due to be published early next year.
