As part of the 16th Poetry Africa 2012, an annual international poetry festival which has become synonymous with Durban, the Journalism Department at the Durban University of Technology hosted two visiting African poets in a lecture held on Tuesday 16 October 2012.

Poets Tulo Ogunlesi and D’bi Young shared their interpretation of Poets in Media, the theme of the lecture which was held at the DUT City Campus.

In his opening speech, Ogunlesi spoke about his experience as a journalist and his ultimate move to poetry. “I never got any formal training as a journalist, but I started writing because I had nothing to do. That’s where my being a writer and poet came about,” he said.

“My writing was more of a ‘how to’ manual. I wrote of things that happened to and around me. From then on, I went to find a job as a consultant because you can’t survive as a poet in society. I started to publish my work online but soon I left to become a freelance journalist and from then on I’ve worked with NEXT newspaper and many publications that earned me a lot of awards,” added Ogunlesi.

Young, whose poetry is very musical and is grounded by reggae music, said it (her poetry) explores identity and she uses it as a tool to tell stories through eye contact as well as the use of her body language.

“I believe art is the tool for social change,” said Young.

On her view of poets in the media, she said it is essential for these poets “to ensure that they never get dislocated from their selves”. Young said they need to consider who they are and their purpose in everything they do.

In this way, their integrity will not be compromised, she added. “Always remember that whatever you are looking for outside of yourself is inside yourself”, said Young.

Poetry Africa sees more than 20 poets from South Africa and other African countries participate in the seven to 10 day festival which happens in the final quarter of the year. The extensive programme includes theatre performances, readings, music and book launches. Day activities include seminars, workshops, open mic opportunities as well as school visits.

This festival will be held every night at the Sneddon Theatre while the finale will take place at the BAT Centre on Saturday 20 October 2012.

–Nongcebo Khumalo

Pictured: Poets Tulo Ongunlesi, D’bi Young and DUT Journalism Senior Lecturer Dr Mikhail Peppas during Tuesday’s Poets in Media lecture at the DUT City Campus.