A 150-year-old poem that is still relevant

Whilst there probably isn’t a Poem of the Year, one columnist believes this year’s choice of words really could be considered to be summed up in the Emily Dickinson poem that is best known by the first line “Tell all the truth but tell it slant -”, The poem which is believed to have...

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Poet Koleka Putuma wins big at the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards 2022

Koleka Putuma is among the winners at the Standard Bank Young Artist Awards 2022 announced on December 1, 2022.The Standard Bank Young Artist Awards were established in 1981 to celebrate emerging South African artists who live their personal truth through their art and show exceptional talent...

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Poetry book of Struggle stalwart launched

Over the weekend, the bilingual volume of poetry by the late Victor Wessels was launched at Livingstone High School 40 years after his death and banning. Wessels was an accomplished teacher, writer and a stalwart in the Struggle against racial capitalism in South Africa – one of many voices...

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Afro Poetry Times has put together a special #Christmas issue that is set to amp up your holidays

The year is slowly coming to an end.Christmas poems each year bring joy to those who celebrate the holiday.We've put together a special Christmas issue that is set to amp up your holidays. The poems and the art we’ve included have a similarly lively energy to an energetic smile. We...

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Incredible Poem About Everyday Sexism Wins Forward Prize

Kim Moore has been named the winner of this year’s Forward Prize for her collection of poetry, “All the Men I Never Married”. The book which the judges described as phenomenal, earned her the £10,000 prize for best collection.A total of 48 poems are in the book, which looks at the experiences...

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Google Doodle For Emirati Poet

Ousha Al Suwaidi, who is an Emirati poet, has been honoured in Google Doodle format this week. The poet, who is commonly known as Ousha the Poet’s full name is Ousha bint Khalifa Al Suwaidi. Considered to be amongst the 20thcenturies finest Nabati poets, Al Suwaidi was first recognised...

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South African Literary Awards 2022 winners announced

The winners of the South African Literary Awards 2022 were announced in a ceremony in Durban, South Africa on Monday, November 7, 2022.The South African Literary Awards, popularly referred to as the SALAs, have honoured many authors since they were founded in 2005.  Winning...

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Gauteng International Book Festival set for December 11

The Gauteng International Book Festival is set to be hosted in Soweto, South Africa on December 11, 2022. The festival theme is “Unlimited Africa.”There is a new festival in the African literary scene going by the name Gauteng International Book Festival. It will be hosted in Soweto, just...

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Inspiring book by 12-year-old author

Spurred by her love of reading and writing, Tailei Richards has managed to achieve one of her biggest goals at the young age of 12 – to become a published author. Tailei, who is in Grade 5 at Lilyfontein Primary School, recently published her book called Finding Home, which tells the story...

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Date set for Gauteng International Book Festival

The Gauteng International Book Festival is set to be hosted in Soweto, South Africa on December 11, 2022. The festival theme is “Unlimited Africa.”There is a new festival in the African literary scene going by the name Gauteng International Book Festival. It will be hosted in Soweto, just...

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Christmas giveaway - WIN a copy of The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama!

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama Copy.When we are able to recognize our own light, we become empowered to use it,” writes Michelle Obama.We’re giving away a copy of The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama.To stand a chance of winning, simply fill in your details.Competition closes on 19...

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Nigerian writer wins big at the World Fantasy Awards 2022 in the US

Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki’s The Year’s Best African Speculative Fiction (2021) won at the World Fantasy Awards 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on November 7, 2022.The World Fantasy Awards have been awarded annually for the best fantasy fiction published during the previous calendar...

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The Afro Poetry Times has November covered. It's a new era for African poetry

The rich value of poetry can never be traded for a dime. November is a time for reflection as we wrap up the year. Memories flourished like a bed of roses. For many people love was won, battles were fought, happiness lingered but tragedy also struck. What better to deal with...

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Kistrech International Poetry Festival 2022 described as a huge success in Kenya

The Kistrech International Poetry Festival 2022 was hosted in several venues around Kenya from October 8 – 14, 2022.The Kistrech International Poetry Festival was founded to promote poetry and cultural exchange between local and foreign artists by Dr Christopher Okemwa in 2013. The...

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Poetry Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities – NOVEMBER 2022

The clocks have gone back and winter is here, along with the November poetry list and 140 poetry competitions, writing submissions and opportunities – open or with deadlines between now and the end of the month!NOVEMBER 2022Ninth Letter (Web Edition)  – Poetry, Fiction, Non-fiction,...

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Poetry Africa Festival announces dates, theme and tour

The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) will host the 26th Poetry Africa International Festival from October 6 to October 16. The theme is: ‘Poetic (In)Justice: Voices That Breathe, Move and Transform’, and the festival is an ode to the depth of perspective...

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The most expensive poem in the world - the US$525,000 Poem

In November 2021, a poem was presented for sale at the Christie’s Auction House in New York. This was not a manuscript or a printed bound book – this was something a little different. The poem which was titled “Arcadia” was in fact a nine and 48-second long animation with an electronic...

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Young author releases a book that has a deep Xhosa perspective

A young Eastern Cape author has written a book aimed at anyone who wants to know more about the Xhosa culture and traditions, aptly named Don’t Upset ooMalume! A Guide to Stepping Up Your Xhosa Game.Hombakazi Mercy Nqandeka said the guide to Xhosa culture with stories from daily rural...

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Music, poetry, comedy kick off Bay Arts Festival

Music, poetry, theatre and dance are on the menu for arts lovers in Gqeberha as the inaugural Mandela Bay Arts Festival kicks off on Friday. From 6pm, six productions of different genres will light up stages at three different venues to ensure no Nelson Mandela Bay arts lover is left out. Dancers...

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We wake up and shine not because we are bright - Afro Poetry Times October issue carries the dosage for inspiration.

In his poem titled "Sweet hurting", the Afro Poetry Times editor uses the following words to describe positive energy when one feels down and out. ....We wake up and shine not because we are bright. We glisten and sparkle not because our resumes are polished with doctrines. We...

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Helenvale poets punch above weight with wise words

Poetry is one of the most difficult things to write, and even more so to have published.But five young aspiring poets in Helenvale have since 2011 been taken under the wing of Brian Walter, a highly accomplished poet who won the 2000 Ingrid Jonker Prize for his debut, Tracks. Each year,...

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Growth of African literature hailed

As literature from the African continent gains international stature due to its growth, it is commendable that Botswana is not left behind, said Botswana National Library Service director, Jacob Sekgoni. Sekgoni was speaking at the recent Gaborone Book Festival. He quoted the country’s...

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Young South African writer who enjoys writing wins R20 000 for her short story

On Saturday 17 September Kamdebo Primary School in Lotusville, Aberdeen, made history again. Reshanique Jantjies, won two first prizes in the Growsmart provincial competition. Reshanique, 12-years-old and in Grade 6, with her story titled, A Secret Passage, won the 1st prize for most creative...

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The Missouri Review's 32nd Annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors' Prize

Deadline: October 1, 2022The Missouri Review invites entries for its 32nd annual Jeffrey E. Smith Editors’ Prize. Winners receive $5000, publication, and promotion. Fiction or nonfiction entries up to 8,500 words, poetry entries up to 10 pages. Regular entry fee: $25. All-Access...

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Tik Tok's #BookTok is rekindling a love for reading. "#BookTok Made Me Read It" shelves pop up in book store's

Colleen Hoover, CoHo to her fans, is a prolific author of at least 20 gut-wrenching romances and thrillers. But it wasn’t until her 2016 novel It Ends with Us, based on the relationship between her mother and father, captured the hearts of TikTok’s devoted and vibrant community of literature...

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Pupils rewarded for their eccentric Xhosa poems

Three Merrifield pupils whose isixhosa poems won gold at the East London Eisteddfod are proud of elevating their home language. Lilitha Madikizela, Zizikazi Bidla and Mbutokazi Mavuso said impressing the judges with their native language while delivering their poetry was a fulfilling feeling. The...

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Poet Marilyn Nelson wins US$100,000 lifetime achievement prize

Poetry is indeed a rewarding career!Marilyn Nelson has won the $100,000 Wallace Stevens Award, a lifetime achievement honor presented by the Academy of American Poets for “proven mastery in the art of poetry.”“For decades Marilyn Nelson has written a poetry that is insightful, moving, and...

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South Africa’s Poetry Africa reveals keynote speaker

Poetry Africa 2022 will be hosted in the South African cities of Johannesburg, Durban, and Pietermaritzburg from October 6-16, 2022.Poetry Africa is an international poetry festival first hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa in...

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Kendeka Prize for African Literature 2022 shortlist announced

The shortlist for the Kendeka Prize for African Literature 2022 was announced on Thursday, September 15, 2022.The Kendeka Prize for African Literature is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short story either fiction or creative non-fiction. The first edition of the prize founded...

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Gaborone Book Festival highlights need to preserve culture by writing in vernacular

The Gaborone Book Festival was back for the fifth year in a row this past week running from September 15-17 at various venues. A panel discussion was held on Friday at Maitisong where author, Professor Rose Letsholo-Tafila explained that culture and language were intertwined. She...

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Zimbabwean author cum poet is living his writing dream

After years of collaborating with fellow authors, South Africabased Zimbabwean writer Meluleki Sibanda has gone solo to publish his debut novel, Akugwatshwa Ngokuzala. The novel touches on various societal issues that people encounter such as teenage pregnancy, human and drug trafficking,...

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Poet Amanda Gorman recites powerful poem at UN General Assembly

South Korean pop band Blackpink and American poet Amanda Gorman took to the UN stage on Monday to urge action on climate change and other global goals that include achieving gender equality and ending hunger and poverty.Gorman read a new poem in the UN General Assembly chamber in New York,...

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Rural poet gets chance to see her work published

Mdantsane poet Pheliswa Nonfenu, who goes by the stage name Nolinothi Ntombezinyanya, found refuge in writing poems when her schoolmates teased her when she struggled at school. Today, she is a step closer to fulfilling her goal of seeing her work published. This is after she won the...

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Book Extract | Patrice Motsepe - On a mission to create hope and aspiration

The business aspect of Patrice Motsepe’s life is the golden thread. He grins when he talks about the "family enterprises – they made me what I am".Involved in rebuilding the old shopping centre that the Motsepes once owned and ran in his home village of Mmakau in North West, he reflects...

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