A talented 19-year-old poet from Willowvale in the Eastern Cape is set to sing the praises of President Cyril Ramaphosa at the annual state of the nation address in Cape Town’s City Hall on Thursday.
Inako Mateza will be the first woman praise poet from the Eastern Cape to usher in the president.
She will be following in the footsteps of the likes of veteran praise singer, Singatha Jongela Nojozi.
Mateza, now shooting a documentary that will be used as an introduction to her performance, said it was an honour to be chosen to be among the greats.
“I am ecstatic — and I now believe that the words ‘your background doesn’t define you’ ring true.
“I will be expressing my admiration for the president and showing gratitude as a citizen for the president’s efforts to improve our country.”
The Xhosa activist, who is also a cultural preservationist and founder of the Inako Foundation, was named the Best National Letter Writer at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Oral History Programme in 2019.
The letter was sent to Ramaphosa and published on Google.
Mateza was named Indoni Miss Cultural SA 2023/2024, Miss SA Traditional Leaders Awards 2024/2025, and has also presented the SA Music Awards.
The third-year health sciences (homeopathy) student at the Durban University of Technology grew up in the small village of Ludiza in Willowvale.
In 2019, she was named the best Eastern Cape poet and won the best student leader award from the Xhosa's king's Nqadu Great Place.
In 2024, she was named Hustler of the Year in the Eastern Cape Hustlers’ awards.
Mateza’s foundation has collected an award for being the best community building programme in the province.
The traditional storyteller teaches 400 virgin girls and boys about their roots and includes praise of their ancestors.
Mateza said the Sona opportunity meant a lot to her, especially since she was a woman.
“As a poet with over a decade of experience, I have had the honour of performing locally, provincially and nationally.
“But I never imagined I would have the chance to commend our nation’s president.”
She felt as though she was a representative of the unheard, while carrying on the baton of previous praise singers.
“I feel like I am the voice of the voiceless.
“As the first Eastern Cape female poet asked to praise the president, I will bring to life the legacy of previous poets as well.
“I am here to pave the way for future generations of poets, both young and old.
“Poetry is more than just an art form, it is a precious gift that allows us to tell our stories as the indigenous children of this soil.”
Mateza will be the second woman to usher in the president, after Masingita Shibambu’s praise performance in 2020.
Shibambu, from Matuyani village in Punda Maria gate, popularly known as Ntombhi yaMutsonga, was also 19 when she delivered her poetry in Tsonga and Venda.
After her performance, she has now become a popular figure.
In 2023, she performed at the Brics summit which was hosted by SA.
The summit sees heads of state and presidents of member countries gather under one roof.
Daily Dispatch
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.