SOX the Poet (kneeling) delivers a stirring performance alongside poets from Wecre8te Africa.

“Wecre8te Afrika was established in November 2023, but its roots trace back to my transformative journey with Accountability Lab Zimbabwe.” – SOX the Poet

2022 Film Fellow, Sox the Poet’s ( alias Sondlane Nyamezela Dube) journey with ALZ is one of growth, purpose, and creative evolution. His first encounter came through Nompilo Nkomo, 2021 Accountapreneur, where he served as Content Manager for her podcast 21 Questions with Jacqui. This role immersed him in scripting and storytelling with a focus on accountability, a foundation that would later shape his path.

In 2022, Sox joined the ALZ Film Fellowship, bringing with him a passion for poetry and a desire to explore new storytelling forms. The fellowship was a turning point. It expanded his understanding of accountability systems and equipped him with the tools to blend art and advocacy through film. During this period, Sox produced Born Free, a short film that resonated with audiences and emboldened him to take ownership of his art.

At the 2022 Accountapreneur Graduation and Friendraiser, Sox delivered a captivating performance that captivated the room, so much so that it prompted one attendee to ask a question that would linger long after the applause faded: “What would it take, and what resources would you need, to create more people like you?”

Inspired by this question, Sox launched a small mentorship program with two poets, which grew to eight young women in 2023. This initiative evolved into Wecre8te Afrika, a platform empowering young artists to use creativity for social change.

Wecre8te Africa poets in action, performing during the vibrant Words Matter Poetry & Open Mic event.

Since its founding, Wecre8te Afrika has hosted 14 poetry shows, including 12 Words Matter events that fuse art with dialogue on social, political, and economic issues. These events have physically reached over 1,100 people, and the movement continues to grow, with three shows already held in the first quarter of year  2025.

Sox credits ALZ not just for supporting his artistic development but for igniting a larger mission:

“The ALZ Film Fellowship, Accountapreneur Graduation, and Friendraiser including the 2024 platforming of my work at the Partners Learning Exchange Dialogue (PLxD) in Zambia, were more than just milestones, they were the catalyst for Wecre8te Afrika, shaping its mission to harness the transformative power of creativity in narratives that build more inclusive, equitable, and accountable communities.”

From fellow to founder, Sox the Poet embodies how creativity, when nurtured with the right tools and support, becomes a force for meaningful change

by Bathabile Dlamini | Media and Communications Officer