The 28th Poetry Africa takes place from Monday October 7 to Saturday October 12 at venues in Durban and online.
On Monday October 7, the festival starts at its birthplace, the Centre for the Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).
A panel discussion hosted by Lliane Loots will lead an evening of discussion and performances. Renowned Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha will be the guest artist, and an exhibition entitled This is Gaza will be showcased.
The online sessions will explore the therapeutic and spiritual healing power of poetry. Audiences can also listen to poets and academics speak about the legacy of the African poetry landscape.
The official opening of the festival on Thursday October 10 welcomes featured artist, Lefifi Tladi, who will give the opening address. He played a significant role in the rise of the Black Consciousness movement, and his multidisciplinary approach to art has resulted in the creation of paintings, sculptures, music and poetry.
His address will be followed by performances that pay tribute to South African activist Dennis Brutus. In Letters to Dennis Brutus, poets will share work inspired by his life and poetry. Poets Hawa Kimbugwe (Uganda), Lyndah Sibanda (Zimbabwe), Ivandro Sigaval (Mozambique), Siphokazi Jonas (SA), Nimrod Oscar (Namibia), Teamhw SbonguJesu (SA), and Dr Allia Abdullah-Matta (US) will be hosted by senior administrator and curator of Time of the Writer Festival and Poetry Africa, Siphindile Hlongwa.
“On the October 11, The (R) evolution of Words takes centre stage. Designed to engage students with the world of poetry, it explores the South African poetry canon and contemporary voices – including poems from the Grade 11 and 12 curriculum and poets that reflect and challenge the current zeitgeist. On October 12, the focus will be on the practical aspects of poetry: publishing, marketing, and the sustainability of an individual poetry practice,” said Ms Hlongwa.
The day and the festival end with the highly anticipated finale of the 2024 Slam Jam, where the final winner will be selected. Hosted by Mandisa Vundla, judges Dr Allia Abdullah-Matta, David Onyango (Kenya), and Lethu Nkwanyana (SA) will decide who will represent the country in the World Poetry Slam in Mexico in 2025.
Tickets are available at Webtickets, and the full programme can be viewed on the Poetry Africa website. To stay up to date on all the news about the festival, follow @PoetryAfrica on Facebook and Instagram and visit https://poetryafrica.ukzn.ac.za/ for the programme.
