Wole Adedoyin interviews Frezer Chipeta Chamadenga: Poetry has the Power to Break Silence and Reach Hearts Quickly

WA: CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AS A POET?
FREZER: I did not start writing as a poet, but as a way to find relief during difficult times. After losing my mother, I found comfort in writing letters and notes to her, which gradually turned into poems. A friend, Ebenezer Davite, encouraged me to take creative writing more seriously. In 2021, I teamed up with a church friend, Margaret Kanyemba, who shared my passion for writing. Together, we began publishing in Malawi News and Weekend Nation. Her support inspired me greatly and motivated me to keep going. It has now been about four years since I became actively involved in poetry and creative writing.

WA: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY COMPETITION?
FREZER: I saw it on Facebook through a post shared by Mr. Wole Adedoyin.

WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION?
FREZER: I wanted to use poetry to highlight the silent struggles of deaf-blind children and give a voice to an issue that is often ignored.

WA: WHAT SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE DID YOUR POEM FOCUS ON?
FREZER: My poem focuses on the rights of a deaf-blind girl, highlighting her daily struggles for communication, dignity, and inclusion in a society that often overlooks people like her.

WA: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT PARTICULAR HUMAN RIGHTS THEME FOR YOUR POEM?
FREZER: While working as a journalist, I once covered a story about deaf-blind children, and the experience opened my eyes to the challenges they face. I later discovered that very little has been written about this disability, especially in my country. Although I had intended to focus my undergraduate research on the topic, limited time and resources made it difficult. When I saw the call for this competition, I saw it as an opportunity to bring attention to their struggles.

WA: CAN YOU SHARE THE INSPIRATION OR STORY BEHIND YOUR SUBMITTED POEM?
FREZER: My inspiration comes from my experiences as a journalist covering stories about deaf-blind children. It made me realize how invisible they are in society and how little people understand them. Although I could not fully explore the subject academically, this competition gave me the chance to begin telling their story through poetry.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR POETIC STYLE OR APPROACH TO WRITING ON SOCIAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES?
FREZER: My style is simple, vivid, and deeply human. I use emotion and imagery to shed light on hidden issues and amplify unheard voices. I want readers to feel the reality behind the words and reflect on their role in creating change.

WA: WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE WHILE WRITING YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS COMPETITION?
FREZER: The biggest challenge was the lack of direct testimonies and limited information. I wanted to represent the girl in my poem as authentically as possible, so I had to rely on imagination and empathy. I know there is still much more that needs to be said and done beyond this poem.

WA: HOW DO YOU THINK POETRY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA?
FREZER: Poetry has the power to break silence and reach hearts quickly. In Africa, where many issues remain hidden or ignored, poetry can expose injustice, inspire conversations, and build empathy. It reminds us that behind every statistic is a human life and a story.

WA: IN WHAT WAYS HAS PARTICIPATING IN THIS COMPETITION CHANGED OR BROADENED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON HUMAN RIGHTS?
FREZER: It reminded me that creative writing is a powerful tool for change. Seeing how other writers use their art to speak for the voiceless has deepened my commitment to human rights advocacy.

WA: WERE THERE ANY OTHER POEMS OR POETS IN THE COMPETITION THAT PARTICULARLY MOVED OR INSPIRED YOU?
FREZER: Yes, many poets impressed me with their courage and creativity. Those who shared their work within the International Writers Association inspired me to push my writing further.

WA: WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR POEM?
FREZER: I hope readers understand that silence does not mean absence. Many people, including children, live in invisible struggles that we often overlook. We all have a responsibility to notice, listen, and act.

WA: HOW HAS THIS COMPETITION HELPED SHAPE YOUR GROWTH AS A POET AND AS A HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE?
FREZER: It has helped me reconnect with my purpose—not just to write, but to make a difference. It also reminded me of the power of unity within creative communities to stand for those who cannot stand for themselves.

WA: DO YOU BELIEVE POETRY HAS A UNIQUE ROLE IN CREATING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES? WHY?
FREZER: Yes. Poetry reaches places that formal speeches and reports sometimes cannot. It stirs emotions, connects people, and makes them pause and reflect. When people feel connected to a struggle, they are more likely to act.

WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPETING WITH POETS FROM OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES?
FREZER: It has been a rewarding experience. It reminded me that my words, no matter how small, can contribute to something bigger. It also gave me hope that such efforts can create more understanding and support for marginalized groups.

WA: WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES AND THE THEMES YOU EXPLORE IN YOUR POETRY?
FREZER: My personal experiences strongly influence my writing. I am drawn to hidden stories and overlooked voices, and I feel a responsibility to bring them to light through poetry.

WA: WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR POETRY WILL HAVE ON BOTH AFRICAN SOCIETIES AND THE GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT?
FREZER: I hope my poetry opens people’s eyes to overlooked injustices and inspires action. If my words can spark a campaign, influence a policy, or move someone to act, then I will have made a meaningful contribution.

WA: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE USING POETRY AS A TOOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY?
FREZER: I plan to share my poetry more widely through print, performances, and collaborations. I want to use it to raise awareness, spark dialogue, and encourage people to stand up for the voiceless.

WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE ENTRANTS OF THIS COMPETITION?
FREZER: Never doubt yourself or your story. Even if others seem ahead, remember that growth is a journey. Keep writing, keep learning, and believe in the power of your words.

WA: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ANY UPCOMING POETRY PROJECTS OR PUBLICATIONS YOU ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
FREZER: I am currently working on compiling my first anthology. My vision is for it to promote empathy, social responsibility, and human rights awareness, and to inspire young people to see writing as a powerful tool for change.

Frezer Chipeta Chamadenga is an emerging Malawian poet and creative writer whose work focuses on uncovering hidden stories and addressing human rights issues. He began writing as a personal outlet during a period of loss, which grew into a passion for using words to heal, challenge, and inspire. His background in journalism, including reporting on underrepresented groups such as deaf-blind children, continues to shape his socially conscious poetry. A Communication graduate and active member of the International Writers Association, his work has appeared in local newspapers, and he is currently developing his first poetry anthology aimed at promoting empathy, social responsibility, and the power of storytelling. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he talks about his works.