Breaking barriers through poetry: Ekta Somera’s journey from isolation to inspiration

EKTA Somera, a 26-year-old published poet from Umkomaas, whose journey from writing in solitude to creating literary communities, is inspiring a new generation of South African writers.

Recently selected for a Poetry Scrum and working as an editor, Somera juggles multiple roles: editor at Sakura Book Publishing, community facilitator at Youth Capital, freelance graphic designer, and author of three poetry collections, ‘Made in Poetry’, ‘Twenty-Two’, and ‘Social Misfit’. Despite the titles and responsibilities, she remains grounded in her mission.

“I felt a great sense of fulfillment, not only for myself, but for every woman who has ever been made to feel small and insignificant. I feel like when one of us achieves a goal, especially in a space where we have not always been seen, it is a win for all of us.”

Somera was recently selected for a Poetry Scrum, a unique collaboration celebrating the spirit of sport through verse. 

“Sport involves a lot of passion, strength, and emotion. Poetry captures this energy in words. Our poems reflect the struggle and beauty that sport brings out in people. It connects us through shared experiences of effort, failure, triumph, and resilience.”

Her contribution, like much of her work, highlights the themes of unity, ambition, and the beauty of shared success. 

“My poem explores that feeling of shared victory, the strength that comes from breaking barriers and making room for others. It is about ambition, resilience, and the pride in proving that we belong, no matter what.”

Durban, now recognised as a UNESCO City of Literature, has played a key role in nurturing talent like hers. 

“There is a network where initiatives are shared from other cities. You can find out more about it from your local municipal library. I generally try to participate in every opportunity that comes by, and I feel grateful to have been selected.”

Her love for poetry began in solitude. 

“I started writing after high school when I felt alone and misunderstood. Writing became my way of making sense of everything I was feeling.”

Drawn to writers like Edgar Allan Poe, especially his haunting poem ‘Alone’, Somera began scribbling thoughts in secret, twisting simple words and tangling sentences until they resembled something meaningful.

That private practice grew into a public purpose. 

“When I began sharing my poems online, strangers encouraged me to publish. I saved up through a job I did not enjoy and self-published my first book. That small step opened up a whole new world.”

Since then, she has not only written and published her own collections but created spaces for others too, founding ‘Paper Trail Literary Journal’ and ‘The Lit in Literature’, a South African writing community that supports emerging writers.

“What started in isolation has grown into something filled with connection and kindness, Somera says. A space where I can remind others that they’re not alone either.”

Her work is deeply personal, often divided into two thematic halves that chart emotional evolution. 

“It has been from destruction to a renaissance, from a caterpillar to a butterfly, and from rejection to acceptance. I find myself writing my way out of dark times and into the light.”

But despite her growing recognition, Somera remains unmoved by the idea of writing for trends or applause. 

“My writing has always been inspired by my own experiences. It is how I process what I feel and make sense of the world around me. Writing is my lighthouse. It keeps me grounded and helps me connect with others who see themselves in my words.”

Looking to the future, Somera is venturing into children’s literature, writing and illustrating a storybook that celebrates kindness, imagination, and dreaming big. 

“Since these often rhyme like poetry, it feels like a natural next step for me. I want to encourage the magic of imagination to children through these stories.”

She has already introduced some of the characters on her TikTok, where she shares glimpses of her creative process and continues to connect with a growing audience of readers and fellow writers.

“As a writer, I have been given a lot of opportunities by others who believed in me. That support meant everything, and I try to do the same for other writers now. If my poetry can inspire that kind of community and care, that’s the legacy I want to leave behind,” said Somera. 

For more information, visit Somera’s TikTok page on @ektasomera.

The POST