20th Time of the Writer International Festival Schools Short Story Competition
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- Category: TOW Articles
- Created: 24 January 2017
Announcement of the 20th Time of the Writer International Festival (13 – 18 March 2017)
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- Created: 24 January 2017
Press releaseSchools Poetry writing competition
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- Category: PA Articles
- Created: 06 October 2016
21st POETRY AFRICA
SCHOOLS POETRY WRITING COMPETITION
DEADLINE: 21 September 2017
The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), with principal funding from the City of Durban invites all students to submit their poems as part of the 21st POETRY AFRICA Schools Competition.
Poetry Africa is committed to nurturing a culture of reading and writing poetry, especially among the youth of KwaZulu-Natal. The festival invites primary to high school learners to take up this exciting opportunity of submitting material for the poetry competition which is held in conjunction with the festival. The poems can be written in either English or Zulu and since there is no topic, writers have the licence to get creative. The Festival will accept up to two poems per learner;—illegible entries will not be considered. (Please number your pages)
Poems must be submitted either by hand at the Centre for Creative Arts (CCA), UKZN, Howard College Campus, Mazisi Kunene Avenue, Glenwood, Durban, 4001 or via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by fax to (031) 260 3074
DEADLINE: 21 September 2016
The Poetry Africa festival, now in its 21st edition, takes place from 16 to 21 October 2017.
Winners will read their poems on the main stage of the Poetry Africa festival on the evening of 20 October. Prizes will be awarded by Adams Booksellers and the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN).
Please ensure the following information is present on the front page of your submission:
- Full name and surname.
- School Name.
- School Contact Details. (Email / Phone/ Address)
MEDIA INQUIRIES:
Ayanda Mabanga
Public Relations Manager
Cell: 084 9603 958 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Poetry Africa Unearths New Talent
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- Category: PA Articles
- Created: 03 October 2016
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA), with principal funding from the City of Durban, on the 14th and the 15th of September held its auditions for Durban’s emerging poets to take part in the 21st Poetry Africa festival (17–20 October) as Prelude Poets.
The programme, which started in 2011, gives the city’s poets the opportunity to showcase their work to audiences at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, at the country’s premier poetry festival, where they get to share the stage with some of the country’s, continent and the globe’s most established poets.
At the auditions the poets auditioned with performances including reading their works, performance poetry, slam poetry, some with musical items and props and praise poetry. Entrants were required to perform original pieces within a five-minute time slot.
Forty something including walk-ins and homeless aspiring poets blessed the judges with their artistry to a point where 4 spots were just not enough. After hours of deliberations (back and forth) it was finally decided that our Prelude Poets for 2017 would be: Yenziwe Sithole, Tuffo Da Bulletman, Malusi Ndlovu and ironically a walk-in Thembalethu Ntuli
Some of the poets who have previously showcased their talents as Prelude Poets including Nosipho Magcaba, Kwazi Dlangisa, Khanyi Shusha, Page Ngwenya, Tumelo Khoza and Tshebelotso Mohale. They have all since participated on the Poetry Africa stage as main feature poets.
Judging their work were residential artists of the CCA Onke Mtshali and Mcebisi Sithole, Talents coordinator Menzi Mhlongo, Assistant Talents coordinator Lungile Ngubelanga, and Journalist and former news reporter Sinethemba Makrwalana.
Member of the judging panel, Mcebisi said, it’s actually amazing how much raw talent there is in Durban and he added by saying, him and the other judges felt bad because there were only four spots where else the talent they experienced behind those closed doors far supersedes the number of spots allocated.
And one of the inspiring preludes Zodwa when asked why was she auditioning for Poetry Africa Preludes said, Poetry Africa is the biggest poetry festival in South Africa and to be part of it would be her greatest experience in poetry yet, “even if I don’t make it through to the final cut I’m happy because that means someone was better than me, ultimately that means someone deserving made it through. But even if I don’t make it through I will forever cherish this day, because this is the day I had a chance to meet some of the finest the poetry and the spoken word industry has to offer.
Presented by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu Natal), the 21st Poetry Africa is made possible by the continued support of the eThekwini Municipality, KZN Department of Arts and Culture and Alliance Française de Durban, Institut Ramon lull, Ukrainian Association of South Africa. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the School of Arts, College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Ayanda Mabanga
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Cel: 084 690 3958
21th Poetry Africa 2017 Poster
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- Category: PA Articles
- Created: 29 September 2016
The Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN) in collaboration with the Durban University Technology’s Department of Visual Communication Design is delighted to provide some insight onto the process of creating and designing the 21st Poetry Africa poster.
The collaboration started back in 2012, when the CCA approached DUT to breathe new life into the Poetry Africa visual campaign. Over the years it has grown to become a vital part of the visual identity of the festival. Each year the poetry community can expect a new design each year that fully embodies the current mood of events.
The magnitude of this project has over the years become a very important part of the third year students’ programme as the University has added this project to its curriculum. The goal of this project is not only to convey the energy, richness of content or the spirit of the festival, but also to shift people’s pre-conceptions about poetry, a goal that has been steadily achieved. This evolution led us to this year’s winning poster, designed by 3rd year Graphic Design student Samela Hlophe.
Samela (21) is a 3rd year graphic design student at DUT from Umlazi, KwaZulu Natal. He fell in love with graphic design back in primary. Drawing and illustrating characters from his favorite comics and action movies while maintaining his good grades.
Samela said, he dreams of becoming an independent creative, but his creativity is not only limited to advertising but it goes on to other creativity fields. And also added by saying he would like to use his illustration skills to decorate old age homes and orphanages, a passion he developed in 2013 while painting murals at Cheshire Home, an old age home in Sydenham.
He is described by his lecturer, Marlene Wasserman as a very talented, yet modest young man, a talent that he continuously hones and develops. “He approached this task with much enthusiasm as he does with all other tasks.” She continued by saying she loves the referencing of the unique crafting of rhythmic patterns in the hair, translated beautifully to become authentic and distinctively African.
The poster was inspired by the feminine beauty in all African women, Samela said. He then continued, “I am over the moon to know that finally the whole of Durban is going to see my work.” Although his humble nature keeps him grounded, he does however acknowledge that this is only the beginning in his career, a career that is already looking bright.
People can follow this amazing talent on Instagram @sam_artworksdbn or sam_hlophe on behance to stay updated on all his work.
The runners-up as selected by the CCA are Clinton Myeni, Malibongwe Mwandla, Athenkosi Mjobo and Cameron Lofstrand respectively.
Article by Publications Intern: Thabiso Gordon Zwane
Presented by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu Natal)
GENERAL ENQUIRIES:
Phone: +27 (0)31 260 2506
Fax: +27 (0)31 260 3074
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21th Poetry Africa 2017 Participants Announcement
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- Category: PA Articles
- Created: 22 September 2016
Media Release
Participants Announcement
21st Poetry Africa International Festival
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) shall once again transform Durban into a platform to share and celebrate cultural reflections and discourses through the 21st edition of Poetry Africa International Festival. The festival, which commences on the 16th October 2017 at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre (UKZN, Howard College) and culminates in a finale at BAT Centre, showcases not only poetry but provides workshops and community outreach programmes at different venues around Durban. Audiences will be enthralled by the variety of delivery approaches from four prelude-poets and 18 seasoned dynamos of the spoken word, hailing from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, USA, Spain, Ukraine, Reunion Island and of course South Africa.
This year’s line-up includes the likes of South African male poets such as Kelwyn Sole, a poet with six individual published collections of poetry under his belt. Qwa-qwa native Hlox The Rebel, is a must-see as he will certainly entertain with his bold and brazen verses. Durbanites will be familiar with Durban-born poet, Minenhle Mthembu, winner of the best male poet at the 2013 Original Material Awards. Rounding up the KwaZulu Natal natives is Ukhozi FM resident poet, known as “Imbongi”, for his powerful use of the vernacular language, Siyabonga Mpungose. No line up is complete without stand-up poet, storyteller, essayist, columnist, and spoken word theatre director Kgafela Oa Magogodi, who has graced stages across Southern Africa and abroad.
Influential poetesses, Myesha Jenkins, Natalia Molebatsi and Siphokazi Jonas are also part of this year’s South African line-up. Jenkins is a writer and poet who currently has two poetry collections to her name. Molebatsi, is a writer, performance poet, workshop facilitator and programme director who has presented and performed in shows in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Holland, Italy, Nigeria, Senegal, Azerbaijan and England. Lastly, Jonas is a ‘triple-threat’ who has written, produced, and performed in three one-woman poetry productions: Poetry Under the Stars, Wrestling with Dawn, and Conspiracy Theory.
In an effort to bring audiences a plethora of culture, the festival is flying in the best that other African countries and the Global-North has to offer. From Ukraine, founder and curator of the International Ukrainian-African Literature Project Hannah Yanovska, and Oksana Rozumna professional linguist and author of two books of poetry shall be taking the stage. Zimbabwean-born, Andrew Manyika, known as “the Gentleman of Poetry”, shall bring his debonair charm to the festival. Audiences who prefer a little academia with their humour will look forward to Dike Chukwumerije; Lagos born Spoken Word, Performance Poet and award winning published author with eight books to his name.
Poetry Africa has also pulled in Spanish veteran poet and cultural activist, Eduard Escoffet who has practiced various aspects of poetry including oral and visual poetry, poetry-action, and live recitals. Reunion Island based actress, storyteller, and author Judith “Kaloune” Profil, will be gracing the stage with her faithful instrument “the mbira”. As a special treat, New York born poet, Miles Hodges, featured in the series Russell Simmons Presents Brave New Voices, will add some Hollywood humour to Poetry Africa; whilst Peabody, The Tony & Emmy Award winning, 6-time HBO and Broadway Def Poet, Black Ice will be blowing the audience away with what has become his signature outstanding live performances. Also from the United States of America, is Bronx-born writer, activist and educator, Crystal Valentine, who is the 9th ranked woman poet in the 2016 Woman of the World Poetry Slam. And finally, is Durban-born Nazlee Arbee, who is well known for often playing with the imaginary binary between ‘rap’ and ‘poetry’.
Tickets for the evening sessions taking place at 7pm at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre are R60 (students and pensioners pay R40) at Computicket and at box-office an hour before performance. Tickets for the finale at the BAT Centre are R120 purchased at Computicket and at box-office an hour before the performance. For more information go to www.cca.ukzn.ac.za or call (0)31 260 2506/1816 or email Maju Radebe at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Like the Poetry Africa Facebook Page or follow @PoetryAfrica on Twitter for instant updates about the festival.
Presented by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu Natal), the 21st Poetry Africa is made possible by the continued support of the eThekwini Municipality, KZN Department of Arts and Culture and Alliance Française de Durban, Institut Ramon lull, Ukrainian Association of South Africa. The Centre for Creative Arts is housed in the School of Arts, College of Humanities at the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Media Enquiries:
Ms Ayanda Mabanga
084 690 3958
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.