MBABANE – At just 20 years old, Trevor Nhleko, widely known as Trevor the Poet, is using the power of poetry to inspire hope, resilience and positive change among young people in South Africa and Eswatini.
Originally from South Africa, Trevor relocated to Mpumalanga Province in 2015. His poetry journey began in 2019 during the COVID-19 pandemic when he was just 14 years old. Inspired by renowned poet Scelo Mpungose, Trevor started writing poems while still in school, using words as a way to process life’s challenges and encourage those around him.
What began as a personal passion quickly evolved into a mission to motivate others through spoken word.
A major breakthrough came in 2023 when, at the age of 17, Trevor landed his first radio interview on Ligwalagwala FM. The opportunity gave him confidence and inspired him to work even harder to ensure his voice reached more people.
Determined to make an impact beyond social media and traditional platforms, Trevor spent 2025 visiting schools across Mpumalanga, where he shared motivational poetry with learners. He also took his performances directly to communities, reciting poems and promoting his work at taxi and bus ranks in Nelspruit and Malelane.
This year, Trevor expanded his reach beyond South Africa by bringing his message to Eswatini. In 2026, he began visiting taxi and bus ranks in Manzini and Mbabane, using poetry to encourage commuters and spread messages of hope, perseverance and self-belief.
For Trevor, poetry is more than an art form, it is a tool for healing and transformation. His work reflects the belief that difficult experiences can be turned into purpose and that every individual has a voice worth sharing.
After six years of writing and performing, Trevor says his mission remains unchanged: to uplift communities, inspire young people to believe in themselves, and remind others that their voices matter, even during life’s most difficult moments.
Trevor the Poet is available for school visits, motivational sessions and other bookings. He can be contacted on +27 72 944 3760 or +268 78 315 579.
Discussion about this post