THE 21st edition of Poetry Africa International Festival kicked off it first leg of its week-long programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre on Monday with an explosive line up of 18 local and international poets.
The week-long event runs until, Saturday, 21 October. The event offers a variety of lyrical, literary and sometimes controversial talent from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Spain, Ukraine and Reunion Island.
The line-up also includes emerging artists, Yenziwe Sithole, Tuffo Da Bulletman, Malusi Ndlovu and Thembalethu Ntuli, who were carefully selected as the Prelude Poets for the event, by a panel of experts after competing in rigorous auditions for the four coveted positions at UKZN’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) earlier this year.
The event’s reach extends beyond the powerful on-stage performances by poets, to include community outreach programmes, visits to school and tertiary institutions, open mic opportunities, poetry competitions, book-launches, masterclasses, seminars and workshops open to the public.
Acting Dean and Head of School: Arts Professor Nobuhle Hlongwa said that Poetry Africa was aimed at being the driving force behind the promotion and development of the spoken word. While Tebogo Mzizi from eThekwini Municipality’s Libraries and Heritage Department added: “We are putting in a bid to be the UNESCO city of literature. In Africa we are the only country that have put in a bid. That means for us, especially the people who in the industry of literature that’s a plus for us. Not just a city but for the creatives, the authors and the writers. We have just passed stage one, so hopefully we will get it.”
The evening was hit with newcomer and veteran attendees alike. Phumla Zondi. She said: “It was good, it was better than last year, there was more diversity and it was of a better quality. I can’t wait to attend the rest of the week.”
Ntokozo Biyela, a newcomer said: “I’m overwhelmed, by the amount of participants and the intellect. It was great, I feel so fresh, I learnt so many lessons. It’s my first live poetry jam and I’m going to find a way to come for the remainder of the event.”
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