Poetry power for social change

The much-anticipated Poetry Africa Festival starts on Monday at the Seabrooke’s Theatre in Durban.

Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, this year’s hybrid festival promises to be a showcase of talent, innovation and to host important discussions on social justice through poetry.

One of the festival’s highlights is the electrifying Slam Jam competition, where the South African National Slam Poetry champion will be crowned. On October 10 and 11, the spotlight will shine on the top ten slam poets from across the nation, all vying for the grand prize of R20 000 and the opportunity to represent South Africa at the upcoming World Poetry Slam 2026.

Among the finalists competing for this prestigious title are Belita Andre, Hlengiwe Mnyandu, and Khayalethu Mguzulo. 

Their performances will be assessed by an esteemed panel of judges, including South Africa’s Hope Netshivhambe, Kenya’s Dominion, and Canada’s Tawhida Tanya Evanson.

This competition serves as a crucial platform not just for established poets but also for young talent, with the additional "Chalkboard Slammers" competition showcasing standout high-school poets and fresh voices.

The festival’s opening event will feature a keynote address from the eminent sociologist, poet, and civic activist Professor Ari Sitas. He will set the stage for the theme, “Poetry: an Architecture for Social Justice,” encouraging poets and participants to explore how poetic expression can foster equity, inclusion, and transformation.

Centre for Creative Arts Director Ismail Mahomed spoke of the significance of such conversations in today's world: “With growing inequality and conflict around the world, words can provide solutions where weapons have failed. This festival is about harnessing the power of poetry to fight for justice and uplift the voices of the marginalised.”

Curator Siphindile Hlongwa echoes this sentiment, highlighting the role of poetry in bridging cultural gaps. “Poetry builds bridges, and we are proud of the connections Poetry Africa creates—not only across our continent but throughout the world,” she remarked.

For those unable to attend in person, Poetry Africa 2025 has a diverse online programme, featuring a plethora of discussions and performances. Highlights will include a spotlight on the African Poetry Book Fund and a session dedicated to exploring the role of African literary magazines. Notable global conversations will connect South African literary voices with communities in Canada and the UK.

Addressing pressing global issues, the “Writing through Conflict” session will bring forward voices from conflict-affected regions, including Sudan, Somalia, Palestine, and Ukraine. Additionally, the "Speculative Futures" session promises to delve into Afrofuturist poetics and visionary storytelling, inviting audiences to imagine alternative realities through the lens of poetry.

Complete details, including registration for online sessions, can be found at poetryafrica.ukzn.ac.za.