Poetry Africa Festival 2023 set to be held in three cities - Durban, Johannesburg, and Bloemfontein

The 27th edition of the Poetry Africa Festival is slated for October across three cities: Durban, Johannesburg, and Bloemfontein. 

The festival’s itinerary commences in Johannesburg on Thursday, October 5th. Progressing to Durban from October 9th to 14th, and culminating in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, October 17th, 2023. 

The Poetry Africa Festival is orchestrated by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

What Can I Expect From Poetry Africa Festival 2023?

Celebrating the theme “VOTE4POETRY: MORE THAN WORDS,” the festival acknowledges the pivotal role that poets’ voices undertake in fortifying and propelling the values of a constitutional democracy. 

The event’s program is designed to feature an assorted spectrum of established, mid-career, and emerging spoken word poets. Engaging in performances, workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, and book launches.

Siphindile Hlongwa, the curator of Poetry Africa, reflects on the festival’s significance. “For over two decades, Poetry Africa has consistently upheld its stature as a pivotal platform for contemporary spoken word poetry. Following our remarkable achievements in Durban and Johannesburg last year, expanding to Bloemfontein was a natural progression.”

In the context of Johannesburg, the Poetry Africa Festival will collaborate with the Arts & Culture Centre at the University of Johannesburg.

 
Commenting on Napo Masheane’s connection to the festival, Ismail Mahomed, the Director of the Centre for Creative Arts, highlights: “Napo Masheane is an alumnus of the Poetry Africa Festival, possessing a profound understanding of the event’s potential to uncover new talents while concurrently forging novel pathways for established poets. 

Her intention to transform the City of Roses into an environment conducive to nurturing and inclusivity is well-founded.”
The focal point of Poetry Africa’s annual calendar, the Slam Poetry Competition, holds its ground as a prominent slam event across the African Continent. 

A shining example is Xabiso Vili, the 2021 Poetry Africa Slam Champion, who went on to vie in the World Poetry Slam Championships in Brussels. Moreover, wiining the World Poetry Slam Championship title. 

The anticipation builds for Kwanele Nyembe, the 2022 Poetry Africa Slam Champion. Who is set to contend for the championship title in Brazil later this year.

Siphindile Hlongwa, an ardent promoter of the Poetry Africa brand both nationally and internationally, expresses confidence in the festival’s legacy, “Poetry Africa set an elevated benchmark at the World Slam Championship in 2022. We firmly believe that Kwanele Nyembe will continue this rich tradition.”

For More Information

View their website here. 

http://poetryafrica.ukzn.ac.za/

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The International Black Writers Festival 2023 kicks off September 27

The International Black Writers Festival 2023, organised by the Moorland-Spingarn Research Centre and Howard University, runs from September 27 – 29, 2023.

The Moorland-Spingarn Research Centre, founded in 1914, holds one of the largest global databases for different documents, artifacts, and photographs. 

Throughout its history, it has been one of the United States premiere research facilities making connections and pushing out theories using historic information in order to explain, study and contemplate the Black experience within the African diaspora.

The International Black Writers Festival brought to you by Moorland-Spingarn Research Centre was hosted at Howard University in 2022. 

It was inspired by the National Black Writers Festival, which also began at Howard University in 1974. 

Attendees heard from student writers, presented by The Amistad—Howard University’s literary arts journal. 

There were panels of esteemed poets, essayists, publishers, professors, and journalists–some of them Howard alum–where panellists described their origin stories as writers and provided insight on their work.

The 2023 edition is set to be hosted in September at Howard University in late September. It will feature writers, academics, critics, and artists in conversation on the theme “Why We Gather: Toward Building a Black University”

Some of those scheduled to make presentations are Christina Joy, Ebony LaDelle Marita, Maika Moulite, Jamile Minnicks, Panashe Chigumadzi, Bibi Bakare-Yusuf, Mitchell Esajas, Mukoma wa Ngugi, Jonathan Gray, Jacqueline Woodson, Kwame Alexander, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Walter Mosley, Sonja Woods, Kimberly Brown-Pellum, Arlisha Norwood Alston, Anton D. House, Ashley Robertson Preston, Sheena Harris, Vincent Brown, Monique Bedasse, Paula Giddings, Jelani Cobb, Ibram Kendi, Christina Greer, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Mikki Kendall, Dana A. Williams, Brenda Greene, Lauren K. Alleyne, Ayesha Hardison, Khadijah Ali-Coleman, Glory Edim, Taylar Enlow, Naj Austin, Anwulika Ngozi Okonjo, Jamie A. Swift, Sean Jacobs, Kweli Zukeri, Anthony Browder aka Nana Segu Karakh, Carol Lee aka Mama Safisha, Kamau Grimes, Toni Blackman, Steph Lova, Young Guru, Lance Williams, Nikkole Salter, Aurin Squire, Kamilah Forbes, Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Chisa Hutchinson, Kwame Kwei Armah, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

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Every life needs a touch of #poetry and #literature. Afro Poetry Times August 2023 edition serves that with special feature on Michelle Obama's life as an author

Every life needs a touch of poetry and literature. 

If you’re lacking inspiration or going through a tough time, it can be useful to read the words of inspirational folk past and present. 

Most often found on Instagram. 

Here’s some quotes I’ve found personally useful over the years. 

•‘Happiness resides not in possessions’ – Democritus (after receiving a royalty statement).

•‘Out of difficulties grow miracles’ – Jean de la Bruyère (when I’m having a bad day but realise I can work it into a fictional plot later).

•‘Just keep swimming.* Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming. What do we do? We swim, swim.’ (Dory, in Finding Nemo)

Some readers may have heard of the esteemed philosopher Forrest Gump. He of the ‘Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.’

The Afro Poetry Times magazine August 2023 edition serves that chocolate. It is a blend of poetry, short story, competitions, author and poets stories. 

This issue features:

* How books gave Michelle Obama the big bucks 

* Poet releases second audio book after YouTube success

* Your writing could win you £10 000

* Short Story -The Perfect Evening

* Book Review 

* Some unpublished poems and lots more. 

Get your digital copy from the leading press distributor PressReader. Available anywhere in the world

 https://www.pressreader.com/canada/afro-poetry-times/20230801

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Durban International Book Fair is about books and beyond

The Durban International Book Fair is on until Sunday at the Globe Casino.

Entry is free and there is no charge to attend the event.

The book fair features a diverse range of writers and literary genres – from fiction to non-fiction, academic writing to poetry.

The event also includes panel discussions, workshops and book launches.

It is hoped they will provide a space for literary enthusiasts to engage with their favourite writers and learn from them.

“The Book and Beyond” is an exciting and thought-provoking theme for the book fair.
This theme invites people to explore the limitless possibilities of literature and its potential to inspire them to transcend their current realities.

People are encouraged to look beyond the pages of a book and explore how literature can impact their lives, communities and the world around them.

Whether people are reading for pleasure or for educational purposes, this theme is a reminder that books have the power to take us on incredible journeys and to expand our perspectives on the world.

The book fair promises to be an enlightening and enriching experience for all literature enthusiasts. It is also a celebration of the transformative power of books.

The inclusive event will provide a platform to 200 writers, featuring 150 sessions over five days.

It will also include workshops on film-making, radio and all aspects of publishing from cover design to writing, editing, sales and marketing.

It is hoped this celebration of creativity will result in a surge of new thoughts, ideas and collaborations. 

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Cape Town's Open Book Festival announces 2023 guest list

The guests for this year’s Open Book Festival 2023 to happen in Cape Town, South Africa from September 8 – 10, 2023 are now known.

The Open Book Festival is a literary festival held annually in Cape Town, South Africa since 2011. It was initiated by Mervyn Sloman of The Book Lounge (a Cape Town-based bookshop) and Ben Williams then of Books Live (now a literary-focused subsidiary of the South African newspaper Times Live). 

It has held hosted over 100 authors at over 150 literary events in the last eleven years.
The festival to run in the most Southern city on the continent next month has guests from the host country South Africa as well as Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, and other countries. 

They include Afeefa Omar, Africa Melane, Athambile Masola, Barbara Boswell, Bianca Flanders, Bongani Kona, Branden Grant, Buhle Ngaba, Busisekile Khumalo, Chase Rhys, Damon Galgut, Daniella Djan, Dela Gwala, Desiree Ellis, Diane Awerbuck, Dianna Ferrus, Eleanor Damon, Eugene Ashton, Farai Mudzingwa, Fazila Cariem, Firdose Moonda, Helen Moffett, Hilda J. Twongyeirwe, Hugo ka Canham, Irene Muchemi-Ndiritu, Isobel Dixon, Jarred Thompson,  Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi, Joel Modiri, Khadija Heeger, Koketso Sachane, Lebohang Masango, Lester Kiewit, Liza Scholtz, Lwando Scott, Lynsey Chutel, Lynsey Ebony Chutel, Maneo Mohale, Mapule Mohulatsi, Mbali Sikakana, Mohale Mashigo, Morabo Morojele, Moshitadi Lehlomela, Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah, Nombeko Nontshokweni, Nomfundo Xaluva, Nondwe Mpuma, Pumla Dineo Gqola, René Toesie, Sara-Jayne Makwala King, Sarah Lubala, Sihle-isipho Nontshokweni, Sindiswa Busuku, Sindiwe Magona, Sipho Banda, Sue Nyamnjoh, Tessa Dooms, Thandiwe Ntshinga, Uhuru Phalafala, Vusumuzi Mpofu, Vuyokazi Ngemntu, Wanjiru Koinange, Wisani Mushwana, Zibu Sithole, and Ziyanda Stuurman. 

For those in Cape Town, we recommend you plan on going to The Homecoming Centre from September 8 – 10, 2023.

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The Artjna Hub Presents Poetry & Hubbly Sessions at the University of Johannesburg

The Artjna Hub Presents Poetry & Hubbly Sessions at the University of Johannesburg on 4 August 2023.

Friday Aug 04 2023 at 1pm to 5pm

See poster for details. 

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Young poet on a mission to nurture talent

It was a carnival mood when local poet Keith Ndlovu through his events company, Kelna Promotions, curated the second edition of Kelna Climate Change Poetry Competitions at SOS Hermann Gmeiner Primary School on Friday to honour and nurture young poetic talent.

With the focal point being on pollution, students from Grades 5 to 7 recited poems to raise awareness on climate change issues threatening to make the world uninhabitable.

The competitions, a roving endeavour within schools around Bulawayo have been a major driver towards the need to converse our resources and combat adverse climate change.

Tasked to recite three-minute poems on pollution, students exhibited knowledge of water, air, and land pollution.

Some of the major issues highlighted included industrial activities emitting several pollutants into the air and water, as well as wildfires polluting the ground.

Judged on articulation, posture and confidence, students recited their poetic pieces and those who excelled in the competition were awarded with medals and the overall best student got a plaque.

In the Grade 5 category, Leeroy Beremauro, Perculia Mashove, and Lwandile Sibanda came up trumps. In the Grade 6 category, Sean Mafusi, Mazvitaishe Matonhodze, and Tehillah Nyoni shone and got the coveted medals.

Grade 7s who got medals included Tinotenda Mubvirwi, Nomqhele Moyo, and Vuyelwa Moyo while Nomqhele Moyo was the pick of the bunch, being the overall best student.

Keith Ndlovu has emerged as a climate change awareness advocate and uses such competitions to inculcate a culture of conserving the country’s natural reserves. 

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