Lelethu Mahambehlala

PoeticSoul, born Lelethu Mahambehlala in the Eastern Cape met poetry in 2003 as a tool through which to reach and heal women and children. She has since released her debut album in 2015, which she beautifully calls a marriage between poetry and music, titled Lelethu. She began as an underground performer who through her talents and drive has become a recognized brand in the Eastern Cape; with memorable performances alongside the likes of Lebo Mashile, Mac Manaka, and Sibongile Khumalo, who are amongst the Greats of South Africa’s vocal power.

In 2013 Lelethu lost her full eyesight, and despite the challenges that came with the sudden loss of visual senses, she is relentless in her belief of spiritual manifestation for the greater purpose. The early discipline of journal keeping and, her razor-sharp memory have shaped her in ways that surpass her jotted dreams. Since losing sight, driving is the one thing she misses the most. Other than that she is assertive in her ability to achieve most things albeit the perceived obstacles; – "I'm just a girl, a very happy girl!”

PoeticSoul strives to dazzle audiences with each presenting opportunity. In May 2015 she had an impromptu performance alongside Simphiwe Dana, which became a launching pad for another one of her memorable performances at the closing of Africa Month Night of the Poet in Johannesburg, alongside notable artists: Mzwakhe Mbuli, Mac Manaka, and Pops Mohamed.

With growth and the subsequent privileges catapulted by her creativity and poetic soul, the nurturing Lelethu is now blossoming into a businesswoman and a community developer. Her flair for poetry and love for isiXhosa earned her an opportunity to teach performance poetry to high school learners. This project was funded by the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) from 2014 to 2016. Being the limitless dreamer that she is PoeticSoul hopes that her work will lead her to becoming a published author who continues to heal on all possible avenues.