A spoken word poet and performer, Leben Panashe Kabete best known as StreetPoetZim, with over a decade of experience, has captivated audiences on some of the country’s most prestigious stages.

My Afrika Magazine reporter, Lingiwe Gumbo (LG), had an exclusive chat with StreetPoetZim (SZ), discussing his journey and how he remains committed to not only entertaining but also educating his audience about the challenges facing our planet.

LG: Please give us a brief bio and tell us who you are.

SZ: StreetPoetZim is a spoken word poet/performer based in Gweru, Midlands. He has been a professional poet for over a decade and, during that time, has performed on some of the biggest stages in Zimbabwe, such as being a Starbrite finalist, a multi-time slam champion, and a talent show judge. The list is endless. He performs most of his poetry in contemporary vernacular, combining witty wordplay with catchy concepts to create his pieces. He is also a climate change advocate. Apart from poetry, he is a fashion designer and tailor, and he is the creative mind behind the brand Nine Figure Apparels, which focuses on bespoke fashion.

LG: Do you use the same format for weaving words and fabric? How similar are they?

SZ: I cannot say I use the same format. Poetry comes to me naturally without much effort, but fashion is a whole different thing. You have to be consistently studying, keeping up with trends, and observing changes in the industry. The similarity between poetry and fashion, though, is that both are ways to communicate and send out a message.

LG: When did you discover your love for both?

SZ: I discovered poetry in high school, many years ago. My love for fashion started in Form Two; that is my earliest memory of making pieces of clothing for myself. I ventured into the industry professionally in 2020.

LG: According to SoccerLife FourFourTwo magazine, besides being the greatest footballer of all time, Pele is also a singer, songwriter, and guitarist extraordinaire. Is it a thing with creatives that they seem not to be content with one craft and stick to it?

SZ: I think so, maybe. I believe creatives find it easy to learn, so when you love learning, you can literally be anything given enough time and exposure. You can fall in love with an art form and learn it until you become good at it.

LG: In which area do you believe you are more expressive and at ease? Please explain why.

SZ: I am more at ease with poetry. Fashion is not only an art form for me but also my nine-to-five. Clients are like my bosses, and I help them get what they want, which can be limiting creatively. In contrast, with poetry, I have no boss. I can close my book anytime, open it anytime, and there are no deadlines, no pressure, and no rush. Whatever I put out is an extension of me.

LG: What inspires you to keep working on your skills and talents?

SZ: I believe that consistency is key. I’ve already made a lot of impact, and every day I want to see where I will be tomorrow.

LG: Do you think you are making a difference in people’s lives? Please explain.

SZ: Definitely. I know a number of people who look up to me as a creative. Sometimes, I don’t even understand what they see in me, but I love and respect that they think highly of me. This year, I did a poem at my younger brother’s funeral. The MC came up to me afterward and said, “Thank you.” I also performed at a business event last month. I remember seeing a lady in the audience laughing so hard, an uncontrollable laugh. That day, if she had anything bothering her, I’m happy to say that during my set, she was happy.

LG: What challenges did you face when you began your craft: a) with much emphasis on your lisp and spoken word, and b) fashion designing as a young man at a young age?

SZ: Confidence. I had low self-esteem because of my lisp. Part of my self-esteem issues came from the fact that I do not talk much, and when I do, I am not really loud. That was a coping mechanism I developed as a child because in primary school, I would get so happy and forget to hide my lisp while narrating a funny story, and people would laugh at me. So, I started talking less and thinking before I said anything, which made me a soft-spoken and quiet person. But that is the opposite of what you would expect from a performer. I knew that in the early days, so I was not very confident offstage.

In fashion, it is crazy how people sometimes struggle to trust me when they realize I am a young male. Someone can fall in love with your catalog, but just change their mood when they see the person behind it. I also struggled to blend into fashion communities, often having to pretend to be a woman online just to be accepted. Not to mention, some people around me thought it was funny. I didn’t care, but sometimes, it still bothered me.

LG: If someone wants to learn about what you do, is there an opportunity for that? Please share more on that.

SZ: I already do private tutoring for those who want to learn how to make clothes, operate machines, create patterns, etc. I offer both online services and in-person one-on-one classes. As for poetry, my door has always been open for mentorship. I have worked with young poets before, and I will continue to do so.

LG: Who is your role model in both spoken word and fashion design? Share the reasons.

SZ: Winky D is my role model. The man is a performer, a master of his craft. In my work, my brand, and my dealings, I aspire to reach his level of excellence. Karl Lagerfeld is another inspiration, a hard worker, a male icon in women’s wear, and a brilliant creative. He inspires me when it comes to fashion.

LG: What do you think your life’s purpose is? Do you think you are anywhere near your goals?

SZ: My purpose is to bring true joy to people’s lives. I do that every time, and I will continue to try and broaden the scope.

LG: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

SZ: In five years, I see myself as a celebrated brand nationally.

LG: Based on your experience, what advice can you share with someone who would like to start a form of artistic expression?

SZ: To someone who wants to start a form of artistic expression, know yourself and be proud of that person. Put your foot on the pedal and just keep going.

LG: In closing, what would you say keeps you sane and focused?

SZ: My art, my ever-growing family, and my dreams.