WA: CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AS A POET?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: My name is Zephaniah Karriem. I am 20 years old and from Cape Town, South Africa. My poetic journey began back in grade school. I became familiar with the legendary writing style of William Shakespeare, largely through movies and cartoons. I then tried to imitate Shakespeare’s style by personifying everything and adapting it to his flow of writing. I began writing small drafts and even sold them to my classmates. Although none of those drafts exist today, I still remember one distinct line: “As green as the fields...”
WA: HOW DID YOU HEAR ABOUT THE AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS POETRY COMPETITION?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: I wanted to share my writing with a wider audience. It was a piece I was fond of and proud of, but I realized not everyone would resonate with it globally, so I decided to share it within my home continent.
WA: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMPETITION?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: I wanted to present a stronger emotional perspective on my country’s history—to show that it is not just about facts, but about lived experiences and feelings.
WA: WHAT SPECIFIC HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE DID YOUR POEM FOCUS ON?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: The core of the poem focuses on oppression, slavery, and forced servitude.
WA: WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT PARTICULAR HUMAN RIGHTS THEME FOR YOUR POEM?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: The issues of the past are still present in democratic South Africa, so I wanted to explore the emotional weight of that history.
WA: CAN YOU SHARE THE INSPIRATION OR STORY BEHIND YOUR SUBMITTED POEM?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: My mom told me about a local competition, and I thought it would be interesting to enter. Initially, I wanted to write about the coat of arms, but I scrapped that idea. Instead, I wrote a narrative that traced South Africa’s journey from colonialism to apartheid and eventually to democratization. It became a passion project, and although it was rejected, I remained proud of the work.
WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR POETIC STYLE OR APPROACH TO WRITING ON SOCIAL AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: I would describe it as emotional, balanced with a pragmatic and considerate understanding of human rights issues.
WA: WHAT CHALLENGES DID YOU FACE WHILE WRITING YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS COMPETITION?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: None—I genuinely enjoyed the process.
WA: HOW DO YOU THINK POETRY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: Poetry reminds us of the intrinsic value of human beings. We are not products of the West or the East, but people at heart. It can also help promote the philosophy of Ubuntu.
WA: IN WHAT WAYS HAS PARTICIPATING IN THIS COMPETITION CHANGED OR BROADENED YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON HUMAN RIGHTS?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: It made me realize that I am not alone—there are many Africans who recognize the misuse of power and seek change across the continent.
WA: WERE THERE ANY OTHER POEMS OR POETS IN THE COMPETITION THAT PARTICULARLY MOVED OR INSPIRED YOU?ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: I didn’t interact with other participants, but I believe they are all great writers, even if I wasn’t directly inspired by them.
WA: WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL TAKE AWAY FROM YOUR POEM?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: That despite adversity and external pressures, we are united in our diversity, not divided by it—and that our home belongs to us.
WA: HOW HAS THIS COMPETITION HELPED SHAPE YOUR GROWTH AS A POET AND AS A HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATE?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: It deepened my appreciation for the gift of writing and the freedom of creative expression.
WA: DO YOU BELIEVE POETRY HAS A UNIQUE ROLE IN CREATING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES? WHY?ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: Yes. Poets like William Blake strongly criticized the society of their time, much like Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Poetry has a unique ability to connect with people emotionally, inspire action, and communicate powerful ideas.
WA: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPETING WITH POETS FROM OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES?ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: I haven’t had that experience yet.
WA: WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE EXPERIENCES AND THE THEMES YOU EXPLORE IN
YOUR POETRY?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: The disparity between the rich and the poor in my country has influenced my desire to reflect and write.
WA: WHAT IMPACT DO YOU HOPE YOUR POETRY WILL HAVE ON BOTH AFRICAN SOCIETIES AND THE GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: That our voices, though different, remain unyielding in hope and grace.
WA: HOW DO YOU PLAN TO CONTINUE USING POETRY AS A TOOL FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCACY?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: By raising awareness and encouraging people not to be complacent, but to take action.
WA: WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO FUTURE ENTRANTS OF THIS COMPETITION?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: Passion is a strong motivator, but discipline is greater. Don’t surrender after defeat—rise and persevere. It’s hard to defeat someone who refuses to be defined by failure.
WA: CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT ANY UPCOMING POETRY PROJECTS OR PUBLICATIONS YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING ON?
ZEPHANIAH KARRIEM: I recently wrote a poem titled My Friend the River. It explores the internal emotional realities that many women experience, especially the feeling of being unseen or unheard.
Zephaniah Karriem is a 20-year-old writer from Cape Town, South Africa, whose journey into poetry began at an early age, shaped by a growing fascination with language and storytelling during his grade school years. It was in this formative period that he encountered the works of William Shakespeare through books, films, and animated adaptations—experiences that sparked his appreciation for rhythm, imagery, and dramatic expression. As he matured, Zephaniah developed a distinct voice influenced by both classical traditions and his immediate environment, crafting poetry that explores themes of identity, growth, and the complexities of modern life. Deeply rooted in the cultural vibrancy of Cape Town, his work balances a strong sense of place with universal appeal, reflecting his ongoing evolution as a poet driven by curiosity, discipline, and a belief in the power of words to connect, question, and inspire. In this interview with Wole Adedoyin, he offers insight into his creative journey and artistic vision.
