Maria Haipinge
Known for hitting the audience with great wordplay, flow and cadence, Patricia Lafewa Uapunduka, also known as Patrick Star, scooped the N$2 000 prize at an Open Mic event last Thursday at Zenzi’s Coffee Shop in the capital.
The event saw aspiring artists, such as singers, rappers, poets, comedians and more participate.
The judges were Franklin (North Side Rabbi), Black Soda, Tapuwanashe Munyayi and Loide Nantinda.
Harry Msimuko was the MC.
Feeling a “great sense of accomplishment, achievement and honour to have won”, Patrick Star said, as a creative, winning is not the goal; it is knowing that her talent is seen and heard and relatable to many others.
Drawing in the audience and judges with her words, according to her, were all due to her projection, form and ability.
With originality as her tool, she did not hold back.
“I think what drew the audience and judges in is how much they related to the piece as well. I tend to incorporate day-to-day experiences I, and many others, go through.”
Her work is mostly centred on her trauma, growing up, experiences and her journey in life.
“I love when my writing is honest and genuine – no beating behind the bush or sugarcoating anything; it’s honest, real, raw and pure,” she added.
Writing from 13 years old, the poet started sharing her work only at 17 years old.
Patrick Star shared that nothing really inspired her to do poetry; it was just something she suddenly got into, although, “even before writing, I had a way with words – I’ve always known how to use my words.”