Describe yourself in 3 words…

Playful, Enthusiastic, Sporadic

What inspires you?

I am inspired by life the beauty the weight, the flow of it all through music movement
breath, it moves me, makes me feel present, real unreal at times and like magic, My family,
my mother the story teller, my father the spokesperson, my sister and her kids, they remind
me creativity is as easy as playing. I’m inspired by the transformative nature of interaction,
between self and other, body and space, community and individual. I’m inspired by anything
that moves me.

Tell us about your worst ever gig?

At some well-known London performance space, I got on stage and hated everything I was
struck by a serious case of imposter syndrome. I completely lost site of an opportunity
where I could show people who I am, imperfect and playful and whimsical. And I was so
fixated on presenting a version of myself that I thought people expected and I felt like flat
Stanely after the gig was done. I am practising, honouring what I like, over what I think I
need to do to be liked/respected/seen to be good as a poet, cuz it’ll never make me happy
long term.

What’s your number one poetry pet peeve?

Being Unintentional

Whose words do you love at the moment?

Ira glass – This American Life Podcast
Gboyega Odubanjo
Ntozake shange – sassafrass, cypress & indigo

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

Nobody cares if it is not perfect. Please just make the thing man.

Do you have a favourite place to write?

My Living room on the couch usually between 5-7pm or 1-4am

About Tatenda Matsvai

Tatenda Naomi Matsvai (aka 2tender) is  a facilitator and devised performance maker, working with spoken word poetry in theatrical and non-theatrical performance contexts. Tatenda’s work is mainly bio mythical, infusing their lived experience with myth, to challenge colonial cosmologies. Their performances are joyful, participatory, and multidimensional.

They are currently rehearsing their co-written show Hot Orange touring with Halfmoon Theatre in autumn 2023.

Tatenda’s work has won the Vault Origins award, been Offie nominated, and performed as part of Theatre Peckham, The Roundhouse Camden, The Cockpit for Voila Europe! festival and Between. Pomiędzy literary Festival (Poland).

Twitter: @MyNamesTatenda

Instagram: @tatendax