The first week of October heralds the start of Poetry
Africa, and for poets and poetry lovers, the wait is over. From October 3 until
12 at venues in Johannesburg, Durban, and online, the festival will celebrate
poetry for the 28th time.
The programme begins in Johannesburg on October 3 with the Keorapetse Kgositsile Memorial Lecture. Hosted by Siphindile Hlongwa and presented by Dr Uhuru Phalafala, the lecture affords audiences a moment to reflect on the immense contribution made to South African cultural lives by the late writer, teacher, and activist, popularly known as Bra Willie. Dr Phalafala’s recently launched book, Keorapetse Kgositsile & the Black Arts Movement: Poetics of Possibility, published by Wits University Press, is a lasting tribute to the poet and his legacy, and in this memorial lecture she will expand upon his vital role in the South African literary landscape.
On October 4, the Slam semi-finals will be hosted in Johannesburg. Join the event for an exciting evening with the top ten poets, Asiphe Feni, Busisiwe Mahlangu, Dshamila Roshani, Jonathan Lefenya, Khanyisa Mabasa, Masai Sepuru, Olive Olusegun, Sello Chokoe, Solly Ramatswi, and Tshegofatjo Makhafola, who will slam for their lives in a bid to go through to the final. Competition is sure to be fierce, and judges Claudio Pozzani (Italy), Afurakan (SA), and Lynda Sibanda (Zimbabwe) will be faced with some tough decisions.
The Johannesburg leg of Poetry Africa comes to a close on October 5 with an evening of performances hosted by Quaz Roodt entitled Poetry: Somehow, we survive. Featuring poets Claudio Pozzani (Italy), Alliah Abdullah-Matta (US), Lefifi Tladi (SA/Sweden), Yamorai (SA), Miksi Brower (Belgium), Vuyokazi Ngemntu (SA), Lyndah Sibanda (Zimbabwe), and Mosab Abu Toha (Palestine), this event will allow audiences to experience the best of international and local poets in person.
On October 7, the festival moves to Durban and its birthplace, the Centre for the Creative Arts at UKZN. A panel discussion hosted by Lliane Loots will lead an evening of discussion and performances. Renowned Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha will be the guest artist, and an exhibition entitled This is Gaza will be showcased. The evening promises moments of reflection and solidarity.
From October 6 to 11, the online programme will afford audiences from anywhere in the world the opportunity to participate in sessions that will explore the therapeutic and spiritual healing power of poetry, discover how the act of writing and reflecting on how poetry can promote healing, personal growth, and spiritual well-being, and listen to poets and academics speak back to the legacy and canon in the African poetry landscape. Alongside conversations with African poets from the diaspora and an exploration of the intersections of African heritage and futuristic visions, the online programme offers a diverse and captivating look at the many dimensions of poetry.
The official opening of the festival on October 10 welcomes the festival’s featured artist, Lefifi Tladi, who will give the opening address.
He played a significant role in the rise of the Black Consciousness movement, and his multidisciplinary approach to art has resulted in the creation of paintings, sculptures, music and, of course, poetry.
His address will be followed by performances that pay tribute to Dennis Brutus. In Letters to Dennis Brutus, poets will share work inspired by his life and poetry. Poets Hawa Kimbugwe (Uganda), Lyndah Sibanda (Zimbabwe), Ivandro Sigaval (Mozambique), Siphokazi Jonas (SA), Nimrod Oscar (Namibia), Teamhw SbonguJesu (SA), and Dr Allia Abdullah-Matta (US) will be hosted by Siphindile Hlongwa as they reflect on his impact through original poems that continue his fight for justice and freedom.
On October 11, The (R) evolution of Words takes centre stage. Designed to engage students with the world of poetry, it explores the South African poetry canon and contemporary voices, including poems from the Grade 11 and 12 curriculum and poets that reflect and challenge the current zeitgeist. Written by Lebo Mashile and curated by Jade Bowers and Quaz Roodt, the show is performed by a cast of UJ Art Academy students: Ally Roux, Nick Moyo, Ntsakisi Shilubane, Hillary Nyikayaramba, Khanyisile Sibiya, Leah Mollink, Xolani Mbhele, and Tintswalo Masondo, accompanied by theatre and television professional Tina Redman. The evening ends with the Durban performance of Poetry: Somehow, We Survive, hosted by Emma Mabye and featuring poets Joonas Veelmaa (Estonia), Bash Amuneni (Nigeria), Slim Shaka (Kenya), Emma Ofosua (Ghana), Claudio Pozzani (Italy), Beverley Nsengiyunva (Uganda), and Nkateko Masinga (SA).
October 12 will focus on the practical aspects of poetry: publishing, marketing, and the sustainability of an individual poetry practice. Throughout the day, experts in the field will be presenting discussions and workshops at the Seabrooke’s Theatre at DHS and the Drama Room. There will also be launches of new poetry collections by Kyle Allan, Siphokazi Jonas, and Nkateko Masinga.
The day and the festival end with the highly-anticipated finale of the 2024 Slam Jam, where the final winner will be selected. Hosted by Mandisa Vundla, judges Allia Abdullah-Matta (USA), David Onyango (Kenya), and Lethu Nkwanyana (SA) will decide who will represent the country in the World Poetry Slam in Mexico in 2025.
Whether you have a passing interest or are driven by a passion for poetry and spoken word, Poetry Africa has something for you. Tickets are available at Plankton (JHB) and Webtickets (DBN), and the full programme can be viewed on the Poetry Africa website. Each year the circle of poets and poetry lovers grows, and the depth and breadth of this year’s programme will ensure that it widens ever further. Join the circle and celebrate poets and poetry.
To stay up to date on all the news about the festival, follow @PoetryAfrica on Facebook and Instagram and visit https://poetryafrica.ukzn.ac.za/ for the programme.
About Poetry Africa
Poetry Africa is an annual international poetry festival
curated and presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at
the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban each year during October. The
festival features Spoken Word & Publish Poets in performances and dynamic
engagements which includes panel discussions, campus and school visits, poetry
exchanges, book launches, open mic sessions and a slam jam competition. The
festival provides a vital platform for celebration and critical reflection
about the contribution of poets in the movement for social change both
nationally and internationally. At the University of KwaZulu-Natal, the Poetry
Africa festival supports academic scholarship in contemporary poetry. The
festival is a dynamic player in the cultural economy of the broader eThekwini;
and plays a vital role in advancing the city’s status as a UNESCO City of
Literature.
NB: To find out more
about the Centre for Creative Arts, click on the logo advert to the right of
this article.