BY NOSIPHO MABUZA
SIPHOFANENI – A rising poet and storyteller says nomination fuels his passion and creativity.
Sibusiso Shongwe, popularly known as Bless LePoet, has expressed joy and gratitude after being nominated for Entertainer of the Year at the 2025 Eswatini Lifestyle Awards.
“I just received a screenshot on my WhatsApp that someone somewhere nominated Bless LePoet. I felt happy because this one is truly one of my 2025 achievements. I didn’t believe I was part of the nomination until I browsed through the Eswatini Lifestyle Awards link and saw the poster,” he said.
For Bless, the nomination is a reflection of the quality and effort he invests in his craft. “I can assume personally it means that I’m able to deliver quality, good content. I genuinely value each and every person’s feedback after sharing any upload of my poetry. It makes my presentation much stronger professionally,” he explained.
Described as a “Person of Extraordinary Thinking”, Bless is more than just a poet. He is a storyteller, performer, master of ceremonies, music arranger, and recording artist. Born in Phonjwane, under the Siphofaneni constituency, his poetic journey began in 2021 with the goal of creating impactful, message-driven poetry.
Over the years, he has gained recognition with multiple award nominations, including Poetic Writer of the Year at the 2023 Swazi Fest Writer’s Awards and Entertainment Personality of the Year at the 2024 Jumbo Festival Awards. He has graced both local platforms such as Uneswa FM and Eswatini TV, as well as international stages including features in Pepper Magazine.
Bless has also collaborated with other creatives on projects like the heartfelt poem “Ngilimele” and the amapiano-infused piece “AmaBenjamin”, showcasing his commitment to pushing creative boundaries in the entertainment scene.
Bless attributes much of his strength as a performer to his ability to connect emotionally with audiences. “Being emotional by connecting with my audience’s emotions, understanding their hopes and desires, and grounding my message in facts helps build trust and makes the message impactful. I focus on my audience’s needs rather than my own to foster a real connection,” he explained.
For him, entertainment is more than just performance, it is community-building. “Entertaining creates a strong sense of belonging and empathy, leading to social cohesion. For young people, poetry can improve social development, memory, and communication skills. For communities, it serves as a tool for change,” he added.
Bless is also passionate about music. In 2022, he co-hosted the Hip-Hop Cypher with BoB Musician, a project that has become an annual tradition. The cypher features a lineup of national and international rappers, including BonkheDopo, Pollar B, The Son, Boyzie, King Mzesh, Alec The Father’s Hope, Vexy Lee, PBL Megamind, Drejik265, SlimNutty, and General Chris.
Each artist brought unique energy to the cypher, produced by BoB Musician at Afro Melodies, with vocals mixed and mastered by King Mzesh at High Hope in Ezulwini, Mvutjini. The project has resonated strongly with audiences, further cementing Bless’s place as a creative force.
Listen here:
Audiomack – Bars2Bars Cyphers4
Looking ahead, he teased fans with plans to release a Gospel Hip-Hop project mixed with poetry, featuring Dal’uvuyo on the hook.
Winning the Entertainer of the Year award, Bless says, would be more than just a trophy. “It would be motivation and personal growth because it’s a testament to my hard work and dedication. It’s recognition that can reignite my passion and help me focus on achieving even greater success. Reflecting on my achievements also gives me clarity about my strengths and areas for improvement,” he said.
As voting continues, Bless is urging supporters to back his nomination. “Voting for me shows support for my services, whether as a performing poet, MC, arranger, or recording artist. By voting, you help ensure these services are maintained and celebrated.”
The Eswatini Lifestyle Awards will take place on 29 November 2025.
(Courtesy Pics)
