The second annual ‘Poems She Wrote’ event took place at Dongala Boutique Hotel recently.
The event was hosted by Poems She Wrote Poetry Development, which is a local non-profit organisation (NPO) that seeks to develop women and children. The idea was to create a platform which prioritises the voices of females; in this case through their poetry, visual art and music.
“With the growing scourge of gender-based violence and femicide, we saw it as important to host this event because silence and powerlessness go hand-in-hand and this gives women the power to tell their own stories, experiences and point of view,” said Xolile Zion Vilakazi of Poems She Wrote Poetry Development.
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The venue was full to capacity, attracting people from Newcastle, Dundee and Pietermaritzburg, as well as local poets and musicians. The poetry that was recited celebrated women, addressed the issue of women abuse, and dealt with gay and lesbian issues. The NPO urges the community to please support the arts in order to curb unemployment and drug abuse, as well as minimise crime.
The line-up for the day was as follows: Luleka Mhlanzi, Thando Fuze, Thabile Mazibuko, Ntokozo Ngcobo, Mbali Malimela, Luyanda Mlotshwa and Sindiswa Zulu, with the host of the event being Xolile Zion Vilakazi.
Among the musicians who performed were Mandisa Cebekhulu from Durban, the Ukhamba Youth Choir from Ladysmith, and Sbusiso Makhoba from Ladysmith.
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