Tsosheletso Chidi said writing and poetry gives us the ability to tell our own story and to write ourselves into existence.
Tsosheletso Chidi is a natural born writer. At the age of 15, the young Ms Chidi had made up her mind that she was going to be a writer. Years later she is now a respected and talented writer and poet.
Born in Limpopo and raised in Tembisa, Gauteng, Ms Chidi now is the curator at the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and a researcher in the field of economics and inequalities overseas.
“My interest in poetry and writing in general started in 2010, I was just 15 years old,” she said.
“At that time, I just knew I was a writer but did not know that I was a poet and performing poetry existed. I can say I lacked self-awareness as well as awareness about the practice of poetry.
“My friends knew that I was writing and one day they invited me to their rehearsal session at a local day care (crèche). It was on that day I realised I have been writing poetry all along and I can also perform it.”
Ms Chidi said writing and poetry give us the ability to tell our own narrative and to write ourselves into existence. In her work as a curator, she is interested in representation and curbing inequalities of access to opportunities.
Ms Chidi’s debut novel, The Baby Is Born, was published in 2015 by a publishing company in Polokwane. She recently published a collection of short stories, Dirurubele - Wandering Butterflies. Her poetry is also published in several publications including Loss-Ilahleko, Avbob Poetry and Ratomil. In early 2023, she translated the full length of Loss-Ilahleko into Sepedi under the supervision of Kairos Ark Publishers.
“I get my inspiration from the streets I walk in every day. I see inequality in all the aspects of the South African society. I am a survivor of inequality, and it took me years to recover from it and that makes me wonder what happens to those who never recover. What happens to the less resilient? The idea that I can overcome inequality and live the life I aspire to motivates me to do more,” said Ms Chidi.
Ms Chidi is inspired by her publisher, Itumeleng Qhali, who, she said, pushes her to remain herself.
She said sometimes she complains that she is not from a Model C school and “my English is bad” but Ms Qhali’s response is that she should write the way she speaks and to always be herself. Ms Chidi said she admires the way Ms Qhali’s represents many black writers, referring to her as a role model. Ms Qhali does not focus on shining alone, but she makes space for others to shine as well as earn money through their writing, said Ms Chidi.
Ms Chidi’s words of wisdom to young writers is to never rush to publish.
“Be careful of bogus publishers and the rising ‘self-publishing’ firms who will never give you an honest review about your work but will only solicit money from you,” she said.
That said, however, “not all self- publishing firms are bogus,” she added.
“I don’t know any successful writers who have paid money to a reputable publisher to publish their work. I believe your work will always speak for you.
“Writing is a gift, but you can never be a writer without reading. It’s impossible. Most young writers I meet, and mentor don’t read, and they think you are wasting their time when you tell them to read. Please read and enrich your vocabulary, learn how others are approaching writing by reading their work.”
In the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Ms Chidi, said AI could never replace human writers who pour their lives and experiences in existence. No matter how advanced AI becomes, it will never tell real life stories that affect people on the ground, she said.
Ms Chidi is now based in Durban and only recently joined the Centre for Creative Arts. She said the centre is multi-disciplinary and focuses on advancing arts practice from dance to film, music, poetry and literature; and making opportunities accessible for artists.
“The 27th annual Time of Writer festival is happening in March 2024 and the theme is ‘Reflection, Resonance and Revival’. In 2024, we reflect on the profound impact of literature to South African society, as well as focus on the power of words to build a society. We ask how literature resonates with our society. We are reviving the essence of storytelling for social justice,” she said.
More information about the festival will be released in February 2024, she said.