By Nosipho Mabuza
MBABANE – A voice through verse, poetry meets legal hustle!
A passionate reader growing up, Andile Ncaniwe Dlamini, a Mbabane-based attorney and now celebrated poet was an avid reader of novels, magazines and newspapers.
That early love for words has now blossomed into something truly special: his debut poetry collection Poetry for Today and Everyday Life, released in May 2024.
This literary milestone, featuring 100 English poems and three bonus SiSwati poems, took nearly two decades to come to life. Dlamini began his poetic journey in December 2004, right after completing his Junior Certificate exams. “I wrote my first three poems then,” he says, “and I haven’t stopped writing since.”
Although the demands of student life and his career as a practicing attorney made time for writing scarce, Dlamini managed to find moments of peace to write whenever he could. It wasn’t until the stillness of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, and the unrest in 2021, that he found the perfect opportunity to compile his poems. “That’s when I realized I had something worth sharing. The collection covers events up to 2021, but its message is timeless,” he shares.
Dlamini describes his poetry collection as a “mirror of life,” offering reflections on everything from social and economic issues to history, religion, and raw human emotion. “The poems are educational,” he says, “and they have the power to change lives.”
But what truly sets his book apart is his decision to include SiSwati poems alongside the predominantly English content. “We are EmaSwati. It didn’t make sense to focus solely on Western languages,” he explains. The SiSwati poems quickly became a fan favourite, so much so that future editions will feature 10 SiSwati poems instead of just three. “They were meant to be a bonus, but now they’ve become a highlight,” he adds.
One standout piece in the collection is Matsapha, written back in 2011 while Dlamini was studying at the University of Eswatini. The poem tells the story of a young woman who leaves her home for the bustling town of Matsapha and returns transformed. “Matsapha is misunderstood,” Dlamini reflects. “The poem captures how it changes you. Matsapha sewumutsaphutile.” (Matsapha really does change you.)
Balancing a full-time legal career with his poetry may seem like a tall order, but Dlamini’s dedication to his craft is evident. “The workload as an attorney is heavy,” he admits, “but I don’t socialize much. I use that time to write.” And while his legal background doesn’t directly influence his poetry, Dlamini’s strong foundation in subjects like History, English, and Academic Communication Skills helped refine his writing style over the years.
Dlamini’s readers have been quick to appreciate his clear, accessible language and the emotional honesty of his work. “Some say it should be part of the school curriculum,” he says with pride. And it seems the book is doing well beyond just the classroom: it’s flying off the shelves, too.
With over 1,700 poems already written, Dlamini has big plans for the future. He’s committed to releasing a new edition of Poetry for Today and Everyday Life every year, each with 100 English poems and 10 SiSwati ones. “That’s the plan, depending on how the books perform,” he says. He’s even open to exploring other genres like prose or drama, but only if there’s enough demand. For now, poetry remains his true calling.
To aspiring writers juggling full-time careers, Dlamini offers this simple yet powerful advice: “Write anyway. It doesn’t take much time. In just 10 or 15 minutes, you can write something meaningful. By the end of the year, you’ll be surprised at how much progress you’ve made.” He even encourages budding authors to contact him for trusted publisher recommendations at 7633 5937.
Poetry for Today and Everyday Life is available for E280 at Websters Stationery stores in Mbabane, Manzini, Nhlangano, Siteki, and Buhleni. Door-to-door delivery is also available through sales agents.
As Dlamini prepares for a school tour around Mbabane in June 2025, he has one simple message for readers: “These poems are motivational. They tell you not to give up. Keep dreaming. Everything will come to fruition.”
