Praise singer in training

Acornhoek - He may only be 11, but Devine Mukansi knows what he wants to be when he grows up - the president's personal praise singer.
Mukansi, who is in grade six at Khokhobela primary school in Silington village in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, is already an accomplished performer.
He recently won the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry's (Dwaf) regional Baswa le Meetse (youth for water) award for his recital of a Xitsonga poem about water and sanitation.
"The moment I open my mouth, everyone listens and pays more attention. That atmosphere gives me the strength to carry on with pride," said Mukansi, who has been reciting poems since he was five.
Poetry before crowds
"I now see myself reciting poetry in front of a huge crowd before the president addresses people," he adds.
Mukansi also wants to study law because he believes his public speaking skills will make him a good representative for victims of abuse.
His idol, he says, is the poet Mzwakhe Mbuli.
The poem he recited for the Dwaf competition was written by his class teacher, Lina Mkhabela.
"I am really happy about the competition because it also educated us about sanitation and water management in our area," said Mukansi, who lives in an area where residents still collect water from rivers and wells.
His poem impressed the judges because it was informative and educational while his performance was riveting.
Mukansi's teacher said that when she composed the poem, she didn't know Mukansi would recite it so powerfully.
"The boy is very talented and made me proud. I would not have recited it that way. He made the message touching and informative," said Mkhabela.
Encore
He was even asked to give a repeat performance.
Mukansi won a cash prize of R6 000 as well as 10 computers, DSTV, a plasma screen TV and a water supply pump for his school.
The competition is held annually and is sponsored by MTN, ABSA, Play-pumps International and Rand Water.
Children are exposed to practical projects that will enable them to identify water and sanitation problems in their schools and communities and try solve them.
- African Eye
posted by - Vincent Deamon