SIPHOFANENI- Eswatini’s spoken-word scene has welcomed another compelling artistic statement with the release of “Bengisemngcwabeni Wami 1st”, the latest emotional offering from celebrated poet and creative Bless LePoet.
Born Sibusiso Shongwe from Phonjwane in the Siphofaneni constituency, Bless LePoet has built a reputation as one of the country’s most imaginative spoken-word artists. Widely recognised as the founder and host of the Bars2Bars Cypher, a Hip-Hop platform dedicated to promoting local talent and encouraging collaboration within Eswatini’s music industry, he continues to push creative boundaries by blending poetry, music and storytelling.
Describing himself as a “Person of Extraordinary Thinking,” Bless LePoet transforms real-life experiences into thought-provoking art, and his newest release may be his most personal yet.
Released on 31 July, “Bengisemngcwabeni Wami 1st” is a deeply emotional spoken-word piece that explores themes of death, grief, love, regret and hidden truths. Performed in siSwati, the poem is accompanied by cinematic visuals and English subtitles, making its powerful message accessible to a wider audience.
According to Bless LePoet, the project was inspired by a painful true story and imagines him attending his own funeral while lying lifeless inside a coffin.
“Bengisemngcwabeni Wami is a painful and heartfelt poem based on a true story. It’s like being there while I’m dead inside the casket,” he explained.
The poem vividly portrays mourners whispering around his coffin, strangers delivering speeches and the unsettling fear that long-hidden secrets could surface after his death.
“My heart was pounding at my funeral. I was standing right there watching and listening, but they couldn’t see me.”
Far more than poetry, the project is an intimate reflection of the artist’s innermost thoughts.
“This isn’t just poetry. It’s my 3 a.m. thoughts, my truth and the pieces of Bless LePoet I’ve been holding inside,” he said.
Through haunting imagery and emotionally charged storytelling, Bless LePoet challenges listeners to question the sincerity of love, the hypocrisy that often surrounds death and the words people choose to speak only when someone is gone.
The production complements the poem’s emotional weight. The instrumental was produced by NineFourBeats at NineFourBeats Records, while TNS Savvy handled the mixing and mastering, creating a cinematic soundscape that amplifies the spoken-word performance.
The visuals are currently available on Bless LePoet’s Facebook page with English-translated lyrics, while the audio is streaming exclusively on Eswatini Hits.
Fans won’t have to wait much longer for a wider release. Beginning 19 August, “Bengisemngcwabeni Wami 1st” will officially launch on major digital streaming platforms, including Spotify and TikTok, making it easier for audiences around the world to experience the powerful spoken-word piece wherever they listen to music.
For Bless LePoet, this release represents more than a poem, it is a deeply personal testimony, proving that when words fail the heart, poetry can speak louder than anything else.
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