Zolani Prince Shapiro Tyalimpi better known as was born in Johannesburg and grew up in Askeaton in the Transkei region of Azania. He is a poet, writer, photographer, actor, percussionist and human rights activist. He is a member of “Sounds of Edutainment” a movement which offers a platform for young up and coming artists to showcase their talent free from censorship, a movement that is always in partnership with All-African People’s Revolutionary Party for African Liberation Day observation in Azania.
Prince Shapiro thought provoking poetry performance for social justice is featured in a Norwegian Church Aid documentary film “Debt of the Dictators”. It also appears in the following publications:
- “Timbila 2005” a journal of onion skin poetry
- “The Social Conditions of the Working Class in Evaton West” an educational booklet
- “Botsotso 15” a combination of poetry, book revues, workshops and symposia compiled as a
product of Jozi Spoken Word festival 2007 - “Jubilee South Africa’s News Letters”
- “Portsmouth City Council Meeting 16th December 2019” in New Hampshire, USA where he presented and handed the poem “Augmentation” to the mayor as a token of appreciation for Portsmouth African Burying Ground Memorial.
Prince Shapiro is an executive producer of “Road2Remedy” a 2011 documentary movie on mining activities versus community development in Africa by IANRA (International Alliance on Natural Resources in Africa).
In 2012, he published two booklets “Am I Not Black Enough” challenging xenophobic/afrophobic mentality in
South Africa. Later he published “Hundred Years In Existence” an observation of hundred years of Alexandra Township.
For almost 11 years [2008 – 2019] Prince Shapiro presented poetry at “89.1 FM” Alexandra Community Radio Station.