The Poetry Africa euphoria swept through Durban University of Technology Steve Biko Campus on Tuesday (17 October 2017) bringing together world acclaimed poets who shared their crafts and wealth of knowledge with students.
During the workshop, South Africa’s influential female and male poets engaged with students. Poets from around the country and different institutions recited heart-throbbing poems and presentations to the audience with their creativity.
Senzo Khumalo who uses indigenous languages in his poems appealed to emerging poets who are Africans to use poetry as a platform to highlight the importance of these languages.
“I write my poems in IsiZulu because our indigenous languages are as important as English. Young and emerging poets who are Africans have a moral duty sell our languages to international audiences through spoken word,” appealed Khumalo,
He added: “For me, poetry releases pain and anger, it allows me to be at peace with the world.”
Free State Province born Lehlohonolo “Hlox Da Rebel” Mabaso offered an insightful presentation to the audience with his daring and rebellious collection of his work. Mabaso, an art entrepreneur and finance graduate had to quit his job as a finance officer for the department of Human Settlement to follow his dream of being a poet.
“I felt trapped in the job and in chains. I’ve faced trials and tribulations in pursuit of this poetry dream. I was once arrested and charged for instigating violence and at one stage my Facebook account was shut down,” he said.
Mabaso has performed at the poetry festival for a decade serenading internal audiences with his brazen verses.
He was joined by renowned hip hop poet Lamar “Black Ice” Manson, a Philadelphia born poet and South Africa’s Natalia Molebatsi, writer, program director and workshop facilitator,
The 21st Poetry Africa International Festival is a gathering and meeting place for the creatives to celebrate culture, conduct outreach programmes and engage in dialogue which would promote the creative sector. The event which is being hosted by the UKZN Centre for the Creative Arts (CCA) commenced on Monday and will climax with a finale on October 20 at Bat Centre.
Pictured: Lehlohonolo “Hlox Da Rebel” Mabaso conducting his presentation.
Sandile Motha
