As poetry is becoming popular in Malawi, female poets are refusing to be left behind. Some have even made names for themselves in a world largely dominated by men. Nation Publications Limited’s JOHN KASALIKA caught up with an up-and-coming poet Vanessa Kameza to discuss her poetry journey and more. Excerpts: Q: Can you tell us about yourself and how you first discovered poetry?
A: My name is Vanessa Kameza and I am 22-years old. I have always loved to write from a tender age. I started writing short stories and that’s when I discovered poetry and spoken word poetry made me feel like I could express myself in an artistic way and draw reactions from an audience.
Q: What inspires most of your poems—personal experiences, society or imagination?
A: I’m inspired mostly by society around me. My poetry speaks on issues of our day to day lives and dives into people’s minds. I believe our eyes tell untold tales and I love to explore them through my poetry.
Q: Do you remember your first poem and what it meant to you?
A: Yes, I do. My very first poem was called Sunshine. It was about how the sun keeps shining regardless of whatever storms or darkness surround us. At the time, it meant a lot to me because I was going through a stage of self-discovery and needed constant reminders to keep going. Writing that poem felt like a personal breakthrough. It was the moment I realised poetry could be more than just words on paper; it could be healing, both for me and for others who might resonate with it. Sunshine gave me confidence that my voice, no matter how small then, had the power to bring hope.
Q: What themes do you often explore in your poetry and why are they important to you?
A: I often find myself writing about society and the many layers within it—love, mental health, identity, injustice, and even the simple, everyday experiences people go through. These themes matter to me because they reflect real human struggles and emotions that often go unspoken. For example, when I touch on mental health, it is because I know how important it is for people to feel seen and understood. Poetry allows me to take these topics and present them in a way that sparks conversation and sometimes even healing.
Q: How do you usually create a poem, do you plan it out or let the words flow naturally?
A: Honestly, it just comes to me, I could be doing a random chore and thinking about something and then a poem idea and plot is birthed. So, it just flows naturally.
Q: What challenges do poets face in Malawi and how have you managed to overcome them?
A: I don’t think poetry is taken seriously in our country and when it is, poets are not chosen on merit, but rather influence. I truly believe it deserves a lot of recognition and accolades. Poetry is a beautiful form of art and I personally have taken into action bringing it into the light so more people can see and be involved and feel its power to bring change.
Q: Do you think poetry can influence society and drive change? If so, how?
A: Yes. Poetry comes in various forms and it causes one to connect with people on a much deeper level. A good poem can cure an aching heart. It promotes critical thinking and the beautiful thing about poems is they do not age. So, they teach generations, bring awareness and evoke people’s emotions.
Q: What are your future goals as a poet and what advice would you give to upcoming writers?
A: I want my poetry to be heard all over the country. I’m passionate about using poetry to connect with others, spark meaningful conversations and maybe even inspire change. I would love to keep pushing my creative boundaries, maybe publish in literary journals and engage with like-minded writers.
