If you’ve been on campus in the last few years, you’ve probably met Chido Sibanda. The 21 year old self-described anarchist is not just a popular figure, but also a writer. When he’s not rapping to the bar staff, you can often catch him performing at Dead SUDS as ‘Chido, The Poet’. However, he’s recently taken a break from poetry. We managed to catch up with Chido earlier this week.
BRIG: How does it feel to be voted ‘The Biggest Name on Campus’ by the Stirling University Compliments & Crushes page?
Chido: [laughs] That’s just wrong. Umm, I don’t know. I’m just me. To be honest, I just see myself as a normal dude, really. I like to speak to people and help people. To be the ‘biggest name’ is either good or bad, but, honestly I don’t really care. Oh, and I’m running for Union President next year.
Why do you reckon people chose you?
Because I’m just speaking to people… and kind of loud.
Do you think it’s weird?
Weird is subjective. And I don’t care what people think. If they have too much time focusing on me, they need to rethink their lives and focus on somebody else.
You sound annoyed by this, would you consider yourself a private person?
Yeah, I’m a private guy, because people don’t need to know. As human beings, we are all fighting battles. And some battles are harder than others. Therefore, I’d rather live a private life where people don’t really know anything about me.
As well as being somewhat of a legend on campus, you’re also a poet. How often do you perform poetry?
I used to do it every single week, but I don’t anymore. I’m in the process of writing new material.
What’s your writing process like?
I don’t really have a process. I just passively wait around for inspiration to come to me, and then I write. It’s spontaneous inspiration.
Can you let us in on any details about your new material?
Right now, I’m writing something called ‘The Heartbreak Journals’. Some of the poems are things my friends have been through. And some are things I’ve personally been through. It’s more about my friends, because they’re the ones who tell me their stories.
How do you decide who you write about?
To be honest, it depends on when I get inspiration, and who gives me that inspiration.
When did you begin writing your poetry?
[looks slightly embarrassed, hesitates]
I started writing when I was 7 years old. I used to write about my future and what I wanted to be.
Do you think you’ve become who you wanted to be as a child?
No, and I feel this is due to institutionalisation. It feels like people are being pre-packaged in schools. The things you wanted to do as a kid, your teachers pretend they actually want you do that. But, then they put you [on] a path [which] they feel is more suitable. They also teach [people] in a way which you might not be able to learn. And if they don’t learn that way, they’ll feel stupid for the rest of their lives. It’s very frustrating.
You come across much more discontent than you appear in public. What’s your five year plan?
My five year plan is to get my degree, and move to a country where there’s a lot of music. A place where there’s a lot of history, a lot of books. And where there’s beautiful scenery.
Nowhere in Britain then?
Probably somewhere like Haiti.
~
FOR MORE ON CHIDO, YOU CAN CHECK OUT HIS TUMBLR.
The Features section of Brig, Stirling University's student newspaper.
Editors: Elizabeth Ross & Warren Hardie
You must log in to post a comment.