In the heart of Matabeleland South, nestled among the quiet hills of Sihayi Village in Matobo District, a young girl once sat beneath moonlit skies, listening closely to the rhythmic voices of elders as they told stories, sang traditional songs and shared proverbs around fires. That girl, Brenda Vundla, grew up with a deep reverence for words and the power they hold. Today, she is emerging on Zimbabwe’s poetry scene under the stage name, MaJiyane, a passionate voice grounded in cultural memory, spiritual purpose and a fierce love for storytelling.
Now based in Bulawayo, the City of Kings and Queens, Brenda balances her life as a poet and performer with her academic journey as a Bachelor of Science in Software Engineering student at Zimbabwe Open University. Though her field of study is technical, her heart beats in verses and metaphors. Poetry is not a side passion, it is the pulse of her existence. She began performing around 2021, drawing inspiration from her rural upbringing in Mzola, her grandmother’s wisdom and the oral traditions that defined her childhood. Every poem she writes carries the cadence of cattle bells at dawn, the sound of rain on tin roofs and the memory of stories whispered beneath Matobo’s starlit skies.
MaJiyane’s poetic voice was not born in a formal setting. It was shaped by community, nature and lived experience. Her childhood was defined by tight-knit community bonds, herding livestock and seeking wild fruit in the bush. At night, the rhythm of songs, the mystery of riddles and the beauty of spoken word drew her in. Her earliest influences include her grandmother Ekenia Dube, her primary school teacher Mr. P. Machaya and revered artists like Albert Nyathi.
Though no one else in her family is a poet, creativity was ever-present in her environment. The lessons of the land, the spirituality of daily life and the resilience of her community embedded themselves into her work. Later, her move to Bulawayo opened her to new ideas, challenges and audiences. The shift from rural life to urban pressures became the very tension that fuels her poetry today, questions of identity, belonging, memory and transition. In high school, she began writing poetry more intentionally, using verse as a way to process the cultural, emotional and social shifts around her.
Her work speaks to hidden pain and the quiet strength of survival. She has written three major poems to date: ‘RAGE’, a powerful reflection on the emotional and physical impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring themes of fear, loss and healing; ‘KOZE KULUNGE’, a raw portrayal of the invisible sacrifices many students make to succeed; and ‘ASHES BENEATH THE SKIN’, which delves into addiction, emotional battles and the courage to rise from despair. These are not just poems, they are testimonies. She writes in both English and isiNdebele, often blending the two. English gives her range, while isiNdebele connects her to home, to her grandmother’s voice and to a cultural rhythm that cannot be translated.
Performing live is where MaJiyane truly comes alive. Though nervous at first, she discovered early on that her voice could move people. Her performances at Eveline Girls High School and Hillside Teachers’ College were early signs of her potential. She prefers the rawness of live audiences, their unfiltered reactions keep her grounded and honest. But she also understands the reach of digital platforms and is working toward building a blog or website, while gradually sharing snippets of her work on WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
Beyond poetry, Brenda wears many hats. She works as a supervisor at Tendy Three Investments (TTI), a role that has taught her discipline, responsibility and leadership. She also serves in the counselling department at Word of Life International Ministries, a space where she listens and supports. These roles influence her poetry deeply, infusing it with themes of spiritual reflection, emotional intelligence and human connection. Her faith in God is central to who she is and shapes the lens through which she writes, speaks and connects with others.
Brenda’s goal is to grow in both voice and visibility. She dreams of performing more regularly, especially at schools and youth-focused events. She is eager to collaborate with musicians, visual artists and filmmakers to bring poetry to life in new and exciting ways. If she had access to funding or a grant, she would launch a Schools Poetry Mentorship Programme, connecting urban-based poets with students in rural schools to inspire, train and empower the next generation of storytellers.
She believes poetry can be activism, healing and resistance all at once. Her dream is to perform on global stages where poetry is not just entertainment but revolution, where voices rise not for applause but for impact. She hopes her work reaches young people, especially women, who are silently carrying burdens. She wants her voice to be the one that says, “You are not alone.” Through her words, she wants to challenge, comfort and educate, leaving something unforgettable in the hearts of those who listen.
Asked what advice she’d give other aspiring poets, she says, “Write boldly and truthfully, even when your body shakes. Don’t wait to be perfect before you share. Growth starts with courage. Be the original you.”
As she continues to evolve, MaJiyane stands as a bold new voice in Zimbabwean poetry, deeply rooted, fiercely authentic and beautifully human. To collaborate, invite her for performances or workshops, or simply follow her journey, reach out via WhatsApp (+263 77 143 5965), Instagram (@brenda6745), Facebook (Brenda Vundla), or email her at [vundlabrenda01@gmail.com](mailto:vundlabrenda01@gmail.com). A star is rising and her name is MaJiyane.
I want to work with MAJIYANE for Miss Rural and Mr Rural Zimbabwe. Her Rural story of reliance echoes mine as the brains behind Miss Rural