LELETHU MAHAMBEHLALA
AKA
Poetic Soul
2003
Lelethu first stepped on stage at the Barn entertaining the masses for the launch of Nubian Mantombazana (A non-profit organization of which she is now the programme director).
She then started being a regular performer at the artist’s hub known as Urban Connection. This is where she started getting attention for her simple poetry which shot straight to the heart.
2004
Lelethu performed at various events for the SABC Eastern Cape. In August of that year she performed in Ngcobo at a Women’s Day celebration hosted by Umhlobo Wenene.
She also got noted by the Nelson Mandela Metro, performing for them at functions such as Aids Day and Freedom Day.
2005
In April she performed at the Freedom Day celebrations hosted by the Nelson Mandela Metro and Government.
She also performed at the many events held by other artists at the Barn as an opening act or a feature together with those artists.
In the same year she recorded a song with Khululekani, a well-known Hip-Hop group in PE. The song, titled HAMBA was recorded as an awareness song for the 16 Days of Activism.
2006
Lelethu continued her performances around the Metro as a way to establish her name as a poet. She joined the Creative Arts Society in Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and became a regular feature in all their programmes.
Lelethu hosted a talk show at KQ (NKQUBELA) FM, addressing serious social issues through her poetry and words of wisdom. The show, Talk-talk Thetha was to be her way of increasing her audience as a poet and a motivational speaker.
In July, she entered the Lentswe Poetry Project competition in the category of Women’s Day. This was a National competition and she, a virtual unknown, won in her category and left an impression on most.
In August, her poem, Woman, aired on SABC2 and it ran until August of 2007.
Because of winning the competition, she became a regular feature on two programmes on Umhlobo wenene… Woman on the Move (hosted by Lulu Harmans) and Abahlali Abangalali ( hosted by Luckeez).
On Women’s Day she performed at the Edward Hotel at a FAMSA Women’s Day Celebration where Kim Engelbrecht (Isidingo) was the key note speaker.
On the same day she was interviewed by Thabiso Sikwane of SAFM, where her poetry was discussed in particular the one featuring on SABC2.
In Septenber she was part of the few chosen to attend The Age of Hope writer’s workshop with world renowned poet, Napo Masheane.
In November, she featured in a documentary, The Calling, shot by local film makers. The documentary was aired on SABC1 and dealt with the struggles she faces in the entertainment industry, seeing as she was trying to make her art business and she was a woman. The documentary was a huge success and another step in the right direction for her as she was hell-bent on getting recognized in that year.
2007
Lelethu, with Nubian Mantombazana, started a project, Life Lessons, at Kwa-Magxaki High School. She, through this project is encouraging the youth to be expressive in whatever form (poetry, dance, drama, music etc). The project is proving to be a success and it still continues to date.
In April she performed in the Arts and Culture Indaba where the Deputy Minister of Arts and Culture was the key note speaker.
On June 16 she performed at St. Albans Prison in celebration of national Youth Day.
On the 4th and 8th of July she performed at the SAICA (South African Institute of Chartered Accountants) grade 11 and 12 camp where there were representatives from the National Department of Science and Technology.
In the months of August and September she was poetry coordinator of the Steve Biko 30:30 Nelson Mandela Bay Festival. She initiated the Poetic Expressions which gave a voice to most local poets and became the focal point of the Steve Biko Festival.
Nov / Dec
Performed at the 1st Annual Golden Mic session organized by the Freeriddim online arts magazine
2008
Lelethu relocated to East London, for professional reasons and to extend her audience.
She became a regular performer at the Poetry Sessions held at Imbizo Jazz Café hosted by Imbawula.
On the Youth Weekend (16 June) Lelethu performed at various events ranging from featuring at Malitshiwo’s (a local Soul Artist) concert at the Boardwalk and at the Urban Re-conection cipher hosted by 100% Blaq, another local artist.
In July under the banner of Gqiyazana Events, a CC where she holds a third of the member’s interest, Lelethu hosted a Film, Hip-Hop and Poetry Fusion with a Film workshop hosted by a Johannesburg based film maker.
In September, Heritage month, she was a host alongside Bhontsi of KQ FM, Menzi Ngubane of Generation and Sophie Ndaba of Generation in the Heritage Concert featuring local asrtists and national artists Ringo, Camagwini, Siphokazi and Zulu boy.
In December, she wowed crowds at an HIV/AIDS campaign hosted by the provincial Department of Health.
2009
In March, Lelethu performed at the Red Location Museum alongside Malitshiwo. She was also one of the first artists to perform at the sold-out Floetry evenings at Uptown.
November /December
Got commissioned by the Arts and Culture Department in Port Elizabeth to write and perform a piece commemorating the PEPCCO 3
Got invited by the Freeriddim online arts magazine to participate at the 2nd annual Golden Mic session along side other PE and East London artists
2010
January
Got an invite from love life’s ground breakers magazine to feature on the cover of their March issue along side other woman who are also poets from around South Africa
March
Appeared on the love life Uncut magazine
August
Performed at celeste ntuli of so you’re funny’s dvd shoot along side tear gas
November
Performed at the LEAD international graduation
December
Got profile by a local community news paper zithethele
Performed at the 2nd annual Mamela festival
Opened up for Nomboniso Gasa and Simphiwe Dana at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s Arts and Culture’s discussion on abuse against woman and children
January 2011
She got profiled on the PE Herald
Performed at the Nelson Mandela Bay Music and Film office listening sessions
Feb 2011
Performed at the NMMU CANRAD and South end Museum’s Dennis Brutus Memorial lecture
Performed at the NMMU Arts and Culture’s 1st years concert
March
She perfomed at the 1st of Izinkondlo zeTheku in Durban alongside prominent Durban poets
April
She was invited back by the Durban Arts and Culture to perform alongside Lebo Mashile and Mak Manaka on the 2nd leg of Izinkondlo ze Theku
May
Featured on the Nelson Mandela Bay International Music Festival’s VIP’s after party alongside Take Note and Siseko Pame
