‘The first poet whose name I could remember’
I have a memory, at age nine, of reading a poem in year four (around 2000 or 2001), called Funky Chicken. I must have loved the absurd humour and playful tone, because it stayed with me for many years. I remember Benjamin Zephaniah being a presence since then. He was probably the first poet whose name I could remember. I’ve since loved everything he does and says and believe him to be a pioneer in art, education and social change. What a force, a true artist, actor and revolutionary. Ogul Can, 32, actor and musician, Lewisham
‘A sweet, kind and humble person’
I knew him at the Shalom Community Centre in Manor Park, Newham from 1985 to ‘87. I was a community worker and Benjamin was always around to give active support to anti-racism and anti-apartheid causes. He was just breaking through – it was the time of [his second poetry collection] The Dread Affair. Such a sweet, kind and humble person as well as a brilliant performance poet. I was always hoping he would come and perform in Namibia after I moved here following independence in 1990, but it was not to be. Graham Hopwood, 60, political researcher, Namibia
‘Very passionate about many things’
Many years ago, when I was studying illustration at uni, I chose to do an image based on Benjamin’s poem Talking Turkeys. It’s a poem with a vegan message, written in Benjamin’s inimitably charming style. This illustration ended up winning an award that year and really played a part in kickstarting my career. I wrote to Benjamin, asking him for permission to reproduce his poem with my illustration, and he ended up phoning me, much to my shock and joy!
We spoke for some time about many things, about his commitment to animal rights and veganism, about our shared love and respect for animals, and about life in general. He was a joy to speak to, such a kind, open and compassionate man, and by the end of the conversation I felt like I had been talking to an old friend. Benjamin was very passionate about many things, and in particular the lives of animals. I think today might be a good day for people to read that poem, listen to its message, and maybe even abstain from a traditional turkey dinner this Christmas in his memory, and then perhaps see where that leads. I do know he would’ve loved that! Sharon Tancredi, retired illustrator, Brighton
‘We just talked about life’
I had long admired Benjamin Zephaniah and even got to see him perform with a musical band at Hay Festival back in the 2000s. One day, I walked into my (then) local Thai cafe with a friend for lunch in East Ham, east London. Who should I see there but Benjamin Zephaniah. After a while, I shyly went up to him to say how much I enjoyed his work. He replied by saying he thought I was going to tell him that he owed me money. We burst into laughter and it broke the ice. My friend and I joined him at his table and had lunch together. We just talked about life: his twin sister, the joy of living outside London. It was a lovely encounter with someone I had long admired from a distance. Mia, Hertfordshire
‘Genuinely, completely engaged with the community’
I was part of a production team that made Ugly Lovely Swansea: A Poet On The Estate for BBC Wales, commemorating Dylan Thomas’s centenary in 2014, in which Benjamin worked with people from the community of Townhill estate in Swansea to stage a performance of the prologue to Under Milk Wood. He was genuinely, completely engaged with the community, and inspirational to be with, as well as having a great, wry sense of humour. John Hunter, Gloucestershire
‘He let me take some pictures while we chatted’
I photographed Benjamin Zephaniah in 2010 when he was receiving an honorary degree at Hull University. He told me it was his fourth so far. We then went for a coffee before he was due to give a talk. He was funny, humble and quite shy. I have been a fan ever since. He let me take some pictures while we chatted. This (above) is my favourite. Sean Spencer, 61, photojournalist, York
‘He inspired me to become vegan’
Benjamin Zephaniah was a huge inspiration to many. He inspired me to make the final push to become vegan. He once said: “the cow’s baby is taken away and she never experiences the joy of raising it.” I think I heard him say it in an interview that he became vegan for “feminist reasons”. I related to this when I was breastfeeding my son and it is what made me become vegan seven years ago. I met him once at the National Eisteddfod. He (and his film crew) came across my circus workshop and asked me to teach him to spin a plate. I did so bilingually, in Welsh and English – he never quite got it. Rhian Halford, 51, Cardiff
‘The best that Birmingham had to offer’
Benjamin was a larger than life – a local legend. I was proud to be from Birmingham because of him. He was always a topic I brought up when discussing the best that Birmingham had to offer. His poetry, his activism … I was inspired. I’m truly saddened by his passing. I know his legacy will live on in those who knew him, admired him and were inspired by him. Taku, Birmingham
