Story by Aifheli Mudau
GWANDA South-based multilingual poet Lerato Ndlovu has transformed a passion nurtured in childhood into a successful career, demonstrating the growing economic opportunities emerging within Zimbabwe’s creative sector.
Known by her stage name Nqindi, Ndlovu has built a career spanning more than four decades, earning a living through poetry while performing at public and private events both locally and beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
Her journey began in 1984 while she was a pupil at Ntalale Primary School in Gwanda, Matabeleland South Province, where she entertained fellow learners during school gatherings.
“I started poetry when I was still at primary school at Ntalale, just entertaining other schoolmates and school gatherings and ended up getting a few cents to assist me. After realising that there is money in poetry, I then decided to find the art from that year until now. I get invitations from both Private and Public gatherings, local and abroad, because I have been to Botswana and Zambia through poetry, and it’s now more than 40 years of a paying career,” she said.
Based on community experiences, Nqindi’s poetry is connected to her roots.
“What makes me continue doing is respect and working well with my community. So, I urge an artist or Poet to do poetry that talks about development, a poetry that unites the nation, a poetry that speaks well to the local community, that’s why you see me doing praise poetry,” Ndlovu said.
Her success reflects the expanding role of the arts and creative industries as sources of income, cultural expression and community engagement.
Ndlovu’s journey highlights how talent, consistency and community-centred storytelling can create sustainable livelihoods while contributing to the preservation and promotion of Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage.
