Rhodes University honours renowned Xhosa writer late SEK Mqhayi

Rhodes University in the Eastern Cape has honoured the late SEK Mqhayi, one of the greatest Xhosa writers in history. This comes, as the institution celebrates 200 years of the written isiXhosa language.The author of the first extant novel in the Xhosa language, ‘Ityala Lamawele’ has...

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Limpopo Poetry Slam Awards produce fresh young talent

Seventeen-year-old Kgawelo Rabambukwa from Niani Tshipise left a mark in the hearts and minds of her audience during the prestigious Limpopo Poetry Slam Competition. She secured first place in the fiercely competitive English Spoken Words Poetry category, and her performance was nothing...

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Joburg's leading arts festival #RedFest23 is back!

Joburg’s leading Arts Festival, #RedFest2023, is back, and it’s bigger and better than ever this weekend. The festival will start from 28 to 30 July.This highly anticipated event is set to bring together some of the most renowned names in theatre, music, and the arts, inviting attendees...

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MaMkhize's guided tour into her world and many other great reads in the Afro Poetry Times July 2023 edition

Whoever said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away probably didn't try poetry. That is because a dosage of poetry doesn't just keep the doctor away. It energizes the soul, inspires the mind and flatters the heart with happiness. Did we mention that it also whisks you to fictional...

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Poet is living his dream as a broadcaster

Lilitha Ntsund­wani from Tsho­lom­nqa always wanted to be a news anchor for the pub­lic broad­caster. Last year he recor­ded him­self read­ing a rights of admis­sion notice at the SABC headquar­ters and signed off: “Soon, and very soon, I will be here.” Ntsund­wani has more than...

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The State of Banned Books in 2023: 4 Recently Banned Poetry Collections to Read

Book bans have persisted throughout history, with poetry collections among the most frequently challenged titles. From Sappho to Allen Ginsberg, poets who realistically depict queerness, sexuality, grief, violence, and other urgent issues and experiences have faced backlash and censorship. ...

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The Academy of American Poets has named its first Latino president

“I believe, to quote the Salvadoran poet Roque Dalton, ‘that poetry, like bread, is for everyone.’”So begins the reign of Ricardo Maldonado at the Academy of American Poets, announced on Wednesday to be its new president and executive director—the first Latino poet to be so named.Maldonado...

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American based Zimbabwean poet Tsitsi Jaji set for Harare workshop

Zimbabwean American poet and scholar Tsitsi Jaji is set to do a poetry reading and workshop in Harare, Zimbabwe on July 6 and 11, 2023.Zimbabwe-born, USA-based Tsitsi Jaji has written the poetry collections Beating the Graves (University of Nebraska Press, 2017) and Mother Tongues (Northwestern...

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Macondo Literary Festival 2023 guests unveiled

The guests for the Macondo Literary Festival 2023 to be hosted in Nairobi, Kenya from September 15 – 17, 2023, have been revealed.The Macondo Literary Festival is a creation of the Macondo Book Society, founded by author Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor and journalist Anja Bengelstorff.The name comes...

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UK’s Forward Prizes for Poetry 2023 shortlists revealed #Leeds23

The shortlists for the Forward Prize for Poetry 2023 were made public on Friday, June 30, 2023.The Forward Prizes for Poetry were founded by William Sieghart to celebrate excellence in poetry and increase its audience in 1992. There are four prizes on offer: The Forward Prize for Best...

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