Local poets shine in Poetry Africa
Morningside poet, Kwazi Ndlangisa shares his inspiration for poetry and tells Berea Mail what being part of the Poetry Africa 2015 festival means to him.
aWARD-WINNING Morningside performance poet, theatre actor, creative writer and arts activist Kwazi Ndlangisa is a proud participant of Poetry Africa 2015. The young poet started writing hip hop poetry while studying Accounting in 2009 and wrote lyrics to his own songs as a teenager influenced by hip hop culture. Today he has changed focus. In 2012 while returning to his rural village in Umzimkhulu, Ndlangisa discovered the power in writing poetry in the vernacular. “I had a new focus and inspiration when I came back to the city. I was writing with inspiration from Zulu culture, the language and my village. Things have changed a lot, I know there is something deeper in life and try everyday to discover new things and experiences. I'm no longer looking out at the world but looking in for inspiration- my country, continent the people back home in my village,” he said.
Last year Ndlangisa was nominated and won the Best Poetry Performance Award at the Original Material Awards and it was an affirming eye opener. “The award meant people see what I do and value it and love my craft. Being part of Poetry Africa is also affirming because it means I have worked hard and they recognise me. It is a great platform and I am here with giants in the industry,” he added.
Poetry Africa 2015 kicked off on Monday with local, national and international poets descending on Durban for the week long international poetry festival, which showcases the face of present day spoken word and storytelling.
Evening poetry readings and discussions are held at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (Howard College) UKZN with the festival finale on Saturday, 17 October at the Rivertown Beer Hall where soulful singer Nakhane Touré will give a closing performance.
The closing programme begins at 4pm with the annual Poetry Africa Durban Slam Jam event before DJ Rawkidd Mpangase takes the stage and performances by Many Moore and Lu Dlamini follow before the main act.
Finale festival tickets cost R70 (pre-sale) or R80 (at the door) through www.computicket.com.
Visit www.cca.ukzn.ac.za or like the Facebook page PoetryAfrica or follow on Twitter @PoetryAfrica for more information.
