The young poet chosen to sing the President’s praises

‘It’s huge and I never expected it,” said Musawenknosi Nqobile Duma, a 28-year-old poet from Umlazi in KwaZulu-Natal who will be the praise singer for President Cyril Ramaphosa when he delivers the State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Thursday, 9 February.

Duma goes by his stage name Inqanawe Yangempela. A praise singer or imbongi narrates a president’s history, clan, and family lineage in song, dance, and narration. Duma will start his narration as the presidential procession enters the chamber from where he will deliver his address.

“For me, being chosen was a breakthrough,” he said during an interview with Daily Maverick on Wednesday, the day before Sona. 

“It’s a big opportunity... Even my mother cried when she heard I was selected to be the praise singer for the President.”

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Duma told Daily Maverick he began his praise singing career in 2019 when he wrote a poem about Jesus. This was followed by writing praise for Ukhozi FM radio presenter Khathide “Tshatha” Ngobe, who made it into a jingle on the radio. “Hearing how good it sounded on radio boosted my confidence,” said Duma.

He then wrote a poem for Zulu King Misuzulu. “Since then I have been widely recognised, including in Parliament... the wide recognition has earned me many gigs,” said Duma.

He took part in poetry competitions held by his local municipality, and from that, his name was put in a database by the KwaZulu-Natal legislature, which submitted his name to Parliament for this occasion.

“Each person’s profile was looked at and I was selected.”

When asked what message he had for South Africans, especially young people, he said: “Be committed in whatever you do, don’t give up and be persistent... if needs be, post your content [on social media] every day — also, believe in yourself.”

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