Pear Shaped... - By Yanga Ziwele

Written By: Yanga Ziwele

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Yanga Ziwele presents a striking piece titled "Pear Shaped..." in the Poetry category of the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026. This powerful work delves into themes of beauty, power, and exploitation. Ziwele's evocative style captures the reader's imagination, drawing them into a narrative that challenges perceptions and societal norms. The competition, hosted by Hashtag Kalakar, showcases talents from around the world, offering a platform for voices like Ziwele's to be heard.

About the Work

"Pear Shaped..." by Yanga Ziwele is a contemplative piece that uses vivid imagery and a narrative style to explore the intersection of beauty and power dynamics. The poem reveals the transformation of a once admired figure into an object of possession, highlighting themes of exploitation and loss of identity. Ziwele's use of metaphor and poignant language evokes a sense of empathy and reflection, inviting readers to consider broader implications on personal and societal levels.

Pear Shaped...

Original Submission by Yanga Ziwele

Pear Shaped…

She was once beautiful,

perfectly curved like an hourglass,

living proof that the Motherland's womb

was truly blessed.

Like all things beautiful,

she drew the eyes of children,

men and women alike.

But her attention belonged

to the man with the deepest pockets —

the one whose presence commanded respect,

whose fortune eclipsed

her millions of admirers.

Indeed,

the buyer had power.

He bagged her carefully

and left with the arrogance of possession.

She would soon learn

that the buyer becomes the owner,

and the owner does to the object

as he pleases.

He sank his unforgiving teeth

into her flesh,

bit by bit,

until she could no longer

recognise herself.

Soon,

her beauty perished.

What remained

was a skeleton

of who she had once been.

The millions who once admired her

now trampled over her remnants,

seeing nothing worth admiring,

remembering nothing

of who she had been

before the sale.

By Yanga Ziwele, 2016

BACKGROUND

One day, as a third year Journalism student, I was eating a pear and suddenly, when I was done, it became a metaphor for so many of the evils I'd seen. I took a picture of it, and started writing its story, somewhat.

I was considering, not just the sexual relations between older individuals and young men and women…. but between the rich and the rest of the world. Particularly Africa. At the time, South African environmental activist, Nontle Mbuthuma was fighting against titanium mining on ancestral lands along the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape. Her struggle and the broader question of ownership, economic power, and exploitation was something I guess I was thinking about deeply at the time. And so Pear shaped was born.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, organized by Hashtag Kalakar, is a prestigious event celebrating literary creativity and expression. It invites participants from diverse backgrounds to share their unique voices through poetry, short stories, essays, and other creative writing forms. This annual competition is a beacon for emerging and established writers alike, offering a platform for artistic exploration and cultural exchange.

Thank you, Yanga Ziwele, for your thought-provoking submission, "Pear Shaped..." Your participation in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 brings a vital perspective to the dialogue on beauty and power. We appreciate your contribution and look forward to witnessing the impact of your poetic voice.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.