Renowned poet Yankho Seunda has been in the trade for close to 10 years but this year, he treads a fresh path as he sets out to launch his debut album titled@ 35.
To be held at Apollo Auditorium in Blantyre on August 1, 2026, the project, packaged with 10 poems and recorded by Sispence, marks a significant milestone in the poet’s artistic expedition.
Speaking at a presser at the same venue yesterday, the poet clad in a striped navy blue suit said he was happy to finally give Malawi @ 35, which draws its symbolism from the country’s constitutional benchmark for presidential eligibility.
“This album is a collection of poems written across different phases of my life, some dating back over 10 years, while others are newly crafted,” he said.
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A co-founder of Vilipanganga Poetry Movement, a drive he has also led as chairperson, Yankho said through the album, he wants to spark conversations.
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“The verses in there, together, they form a unified narrative inspired by personal experiences, conversations with ordinary people, human interest and imagination,” he said.
The Times Group presenter and master of ceremonies further said that @ 35 is not just a poetry album but rather it is a cultural statement, a mirror to society as well as an invitation to conversation.
“The album, @ 35 boldly engages with themes of governance, mental health, gender-based violence, leadership, love and cultural identity. It seeks to spark national conversations, challenge fellow artists on our role in society and encourage accountability among leaders across all spheres,” he said.
Spokesperson for the launch, William Shumba, who is also a poet and member of Vilipanganga Poetry Movement, said Yankho has over the years dedicated himself to building platforms for others, anchoring poetry spaces, mentoring young voices and strengthening the country’s spoken word movement.
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“This year, he steps forward with a personal body of work that reflects maturity, purpose and national consciousness,” Shumba said.
