Nqontsonqa, The Praise Poet Of The Eastern Cape

We have the pleasure to publish today an article written by the 2^nd year journalism student Ikhona Pahlane of the Walter Sisulu University in East London. Our informal cooperation with the Media and Journalism Department of the University has allowed us to serve as an incubator for students by publishing their articles in our magazine. 

Today's article is a profile of Nqontsonqa, a spoken word artist who claims his girlfriend is a book. He has recently performed at some major events in the Eastern Cape.

Born and bred in Grahamstown, Nqontsonqa, a praise poet, is rocking stages of the Eastern Cape with his thought-provoking and straight-to-the-point poems.

Siphelo Dyongman, also known as Nqontsonqa, inspires through his poetry and has established a name for himself with his range of colourful T-Shirts branded Nqontsonqa Imbongi Yakwantu  – the praise poet of the people.( Image Ikhona Pahlane)  

The 21-year-old Siphelo Dyongman, known by his poetic name Nqontsonqa said his journey began in Grahamstown, at Andrew Moyakhe Primary School where he was doing grade five in 2002.

“I was part of an Inter-Schools Development festival. I stood up and started to recite a poem and that’s how my poetic career began,” he said.

He has recently released his 2nd album entitled “ANC – Ayindim Ndenzeni Compilation” with a hit single Iphupha that has been aired on radio stations such as TruFm and Khanya Fm.
His album has sold approximately 800 copies, under Nqontsonqa Productions. It is available at Vincent Park and Hemmingway’s Musica stores.

Nqontsonqa is a third-year student studying towards his diploma in journalism at the Department of Media Studies at Walter Sisulu University. “I strongly believe that even with art you need to be educated,” he said.

Through courage, curiosity and confidence, Nqontsonqa has become an inspiration to many people through his poetry. Not only that, but he has also managed to make a name for himself that has transformed him into a brand when he introduced the Indoor Sessions, a platform for unplugged art at Walter Sisulu University in 2012.

“I’ve been in and out of the province hosting and headlining shows until I started my own Indoor Sessions held at WSU’s Heritage Site Campus,” said Nqontsonqa.

He has performed at the Steve Biko Ginsberg Easter Festival and at the Buffalo City Metro Municipality Summer Carnival for the past three years in a row. He shared the stage with newcomer Berita at the Buyel'ekhaya Festival in 2012 and at the Chris Hani Choral Competition. He also features on Berita’s album.

Nqontsonqa has also won awards such as the Best Solo Poet at Injongo Productions talent search and a bronze award in the speech and drama competition held by UBOM Drama theatre. He markets his own t-shirts self-titled “Nqontsonqa Imbongi yakwantu”.

The minute he realised his poetry had a strong hold on people he “pulled up” his socks and saw he could make a living out of it. At the same time he lends an educational voice to those who do not have one.

From the first poem he performed, “My girlfriend is a book”, to many others like “Andiphilanga”, Nqontsonqa’s journey is nowhere near the end. – WSU-SNA

Article and Picture By Ikhona Pahlane, Walter Sisulu University