A 16-year-old Hudson Park High pupil has turned her love for KuGompo City into an award-winning poem, earning a double-gold at the Elfest competition for her original piece, My City in Winter.
Grade 10 pupil Bukhanye Manuel wrote the poem as a tribute to the city she was born in.
Bukhanye said she chose KuGompo as the setting because she felt the city was often underappreciated despite its unique character.
“I used this poem as a way of paying tribute to the city that has shaped me,” she said.
For Bukhanye, KuGompo represents community, belonging and inspiration.
She said growing up in the city had helped her become a grounded person with an appreciation for the sense of community around her.
“Living in this city provides a lot of inspiration as there is a lot of undiscovered talent and underrated platforms that it has for various talented groups and individuals,” she said.
Not only was it the first time she had entered Elfest, it was also her first competitive performance of an original poem.
Although she had prepared thoroughly, Bukhanye admitted that she was nervous before taking to the stage.
“I tend to struggle with new faces listening to me speak with their undivided attention,” she said.
But her nerves quickly turned into excitement when the adjudicator announced that she had received a double gold.
“It was quite an emotional moment for me. I almost cried tears of joy,” she said.
Her English teacher, Kyle Knickelbein, said Bukhanye had always shown promise as a writer, but entering Elfest was driven by her own ambition.
“She took the opportunity to sign up for Elfest this year as soon as it was announced at school,” he said.
Knickelbein said Bukhanye asked questions about the competition and prepared well, while remaining calm despite feeling both nervous and excited.
“We were absolutely delighted when we heard the announcement of a double gold.
“The whole venue roared with applause,” he said.
He believes what makes My City in Winter stand out is its strong local flavour and the way it brings familiar KuGompo City scenes to life. “Bukhanye’s ability to create vivid imagery is remarkable,” Knickelbein said.
He pointed to her descriptions of Oxford Street, a man walking his dog and the bustling taxi rank, saying each line captures the essence and heartbeat of the city.
Although the poem uses simple language and free verse, Knickelbein said it was enriched by carefully crafted poetic devices and conveyed an authentic portrayal of everyday life in the city.
The double-gold has also given Bukhanye greater confidence in her writing.
Knickelbein said the recognition had shown her that her work “matters” and that her writing is appreciated by others.
“It has affirmed that she possesses a talent worth nurturing and has inspired her to explore her creativity even further,” he said.
Bukhanye has been writing since grade 9 and has already produced two other poems, which she plans to enter in the Vrij & Karuna Harry Young Writers Competition this year.
She also hopes to pursue further writing and public-speaking opportunities to develop her talent and confidence.
For Bukhanye, My City in Winter is ultimately a celebration of the place she calls home, and an invitation for others to appreciate the beauty, talent and everyday stories found in KuGompo.
