It seems that the number of people taking part in poem recitals continues to decline, due to poetry apparently being boring and unfashionable.
This has prompted a group of local youngsters to take it upon themselves to rediscover the art, by giving it a new life and growing it among the communities of the city.
According to one member of the group, Bokang Lemaoana (25), who hails from the Free State, they decided to form the group – Ekurhuleni Poetry Movement – after realising that poetry is virtually non-existent in the city.
In efforts to revive poetry, the group of four members – from different Ekurhuleni townships – seek to encourage more ”novices” to take part in poetry recitals.
This will include offering exciting and varied programmes of poetry events to attract larger audiences.
Members of the group meet in the Boksburg Library at least once a month, where they normally have poetry reading sessions and poetry recital contests, as well as training for those who want to become poets.
The poetry advocates are also concerned about the dwindling presence of poem recicals in schools, as they feel that this indirectly conveys the mistaken message to students that the art is not vital to education or relevant to our lives or diverse cultures.
For that reason, the group wants to make sure that poetry competitions become a regular fixture in many local schools.
Members of the group are willing to work with primary and high school teachers to incorporate poetry into vibrant school activities.
The group is confident that its efforts will eventually bear fruits.
“We hope to play our part in reviving poetry in our community,” said Bokang.
”Newcomers will be offered lessons on how to write and recite their own poems, so if poetry is your passion this is your opportunity to develop your skill.”
Bokang started reciting poems at an early age and participated in many poetry recital contests, which helped him to gain confidence, to shed shyness, to face a large audience and to enjoy the aesthetic beauty of language and verses.
“It’s concerning that few people know poetry, just because it has become unfashionable to teach it in schools,” he said.
“Poetry has great practical uses – it’s a great way for children to increase their vocabulary and confidence to speak.”
Everyone is welcome to join the group, regardless of age, gender, race or socio-economic status.
To find out more about the group, phone Bokang on 074 754 1599/073 586 2681 or like their Facebook page, called Ekurhuleni Poetry Movement. -@FanieFLK
