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Kelvin Chingore

Tawanda Matanhire Arts Reporter
Upcoming poet Kelvin Chingore, also known as Uncle K, has dropped a new video titled “Regai Dzive Shiri (Let Them Grow)”. Set to a scenic background, Chingore’s poetry video code-switches Shona and English to drive key life lessons home.

The 30-year-old father of one said he started doing poetry in 2004, but he was not able to put his work on the market owing to economic conditions.

The young man resorted to working as a commuter omnibus conductor (hwindi) despite securing impressive high school grades

“I had left my dream of becoming a poet because I did not have the resources to promote my art.

“I just had to find something to do so that I earn a living. That is why I became a hwindi,” Chingore said.

While it was not easy for Chingore to earn a living as a bus conductor, an occupation which has nothing to do with his chosen profession, he was determined to work hard by all means possible.

His grades eventually landed him a job as a health worker at a local clinic, a welcome relief which enabled him to focus on his poetry.

“When I was working as a hwindi, I would wake up as early as 3 am and come back home around midnight which means I had no time to myself and for my family,” Chingore said.

“Getting a job at a local clinic helped me so much because I am now able to focus on my dream,” he said.

As a health worker, Chingore works with kids.

This has inspired much of his work which now carries themes to do with young people, especially issues to do with child abuse and early child marriages.

Zimbabwean poetry is currently enduring an austere patch with only few artists like Albert Nyathi and Ignatius Mabasa making it big.

Chingore believes he is an addition to the list whose voice will add value to the canon of Zimbabwean literature.