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Norman Mduduzi Dale who performs under the name Afro the Poet, born in 10 June 1990, is a Zimbabwean poet. His stage name Afroe grew because of the fact that he had a huge Afro hairstyle. He is a passionate Artist majoring in poetry though he has also been involved in music, film, cookery and Fashion styling

Early life and Education

He is the second born in his family of three boys. He was born in Bulawayo  and   resided in Njube. he then relocated to Mpopoma where he spent most of his childhood and early adulthood. Thereafter he relocated back to Njube in 2013 up until date.

He  did his primary school(grade1 and 2) at Mtshede primary then finished off his primary at Lukhanyiso primary school which as at Mpopoma. His secondary school was a bit transitional,he started off at Mpopoma High school, went to Kafusi High and completed his o and Alevel in Manama High school. he then started off university in 2011 at Lupane State University where he graduated with BSC Hons Degree in Development studies (2015).Proffessianally he is a development Practitioner. He has always been blinkered to music since childhood but got to understand with time that God wanted to take him to greater levels as a man of many talents.

Start of poetry career

He got his awakening in poetry writing in 2014 where he did a few poems the very first of them being 'my scars' followed by a couple more which he was was then doing as a hobby and talent, a way of expressing himself. he stopped for a while and resumed latter 2015 when a friend of his, Trevor Mhlanga,read through his pieces and encouraged him to take poerty to the next level, a  level more professional. Mhlanga introduced him to a community of Artist called Poetic Synchetism where he met other poets like Biko,Church Musiq,Natasha K Lady Profound,Kapotol C Nella,Talent the State Poet,Master,Mdu Sevan including Trevor Mhlanga among others. Through Mhlanga's exposure he gained stage confidence and did a lot poems amongst those was the hit "Damn she Kissed me". Since then he has been writing a lot of poems to stages at weddings, birthdays, graduation ceremonies, funerals and general corporate functions. He also celebrate friends and co-Artists who have given him a reason to continue with his poetry career. Generally,2017 has been his favourite year because that's when he actually got challenged to do his work in a more professional way and it also was a year for him to network and link up for establishment in the field of Art. He has since shared stage with the now South African based Izzy. He has also done some ride along performances with the renowned South African based Producer and D JAY Tumza. He had his works shared in radio stations such as SKYZ Metro coming top and has been interviewed in the papers. His desire is not just to grow but to take others with him so he is currently working on grooming poets from as early as possible for them to realise their talents earlier especially in churches. His dream in churches is to see them embracing poetry more and appreciate it as a talent and gift worth the pulpit the same way praise and worship and preachings are, "a different level of worship"Currently he is working on a rare project which will soon be released.

Music

He started off at Lutheran church at Sunday School and he has been on it. When he was at High School, he was part of a group Divine Covenant and they were supposed record in 2010 but it didn't workout as planned. Then later in 2012 with a couple friends from church, they formed a group "Echoes of Heaven" and that very same year they did their seven track gospel album Tokoloho where he was a backup vocalist. Later in 2016 he joined up another group Live for Christ and with that group he did tour around Bulawayo concerts partnering with other local gospel groups and Artists. At that time he took the lead part for the song Kurarama and as Live for Christ, they recorded also in 2016 an album seven track again.

Film

Norman also took part in film with a couple of friends under the Mountain Peak Arts and it eventually ripened towards end of year 2016. In 2017 they finished their first film shoot on the film series GAME, a film yet to be launched sometime this year(funds permitting) whose first season first episode they finished shooting in October 2017.

Fashion and Style

He has a passion for fashion (in his own way)and he is inspired by his cousin brother Welshman. He is looking towards to starting something more solid of his own.

Inspiration

His major inspiration is his himself, he trust his instincts and follows his heart and passion. He so much believes in I CAN DO IT and that propels him towards his goals always The major inspiration to his poetry pieces is his life and he calls them "my pieces" because if closely together they give a picture of his life. Some of the pieces give a reflection of who really he is.