Poetry Africa Festival to explore social justice through verse

As South Africa basks in the blossoms of spring, an invigorating celebration of words is set to sprout in Durban. The Poetry Africa Festival, which runs from October 6 to 11, heralds an exciting line-up of both local and international poetic voices, all advocating for this year’s theme: Poetry: an architecture of social justice.

This year's festival is hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, offering both in-person events at the Seabrooke’s Theatre and a globally accessible online programme. The festival promises dynamic discussions, performances, and workshops aimed at illustrating how poetry can act as a structural framework for equity, inclusion, and transformation.

Festival director Ismail Mahomed underscores the urgency of the theme, saying, “Poets and participants will be afforded the opportunity to explore how poetic expression can serve as a structural framework to build and sustain movements for equity, inclusion, and transformation.”

He highlights the critical role of words in confronting growing inequality and societal conflict, encouraging artists and audiences alike to see beyond the limitations of violence to the power of language.

The festival kicks off on the evening of October 6, with an official opening at 6pm, featuring a keynote address by Ari Sitas, a renowned sociologist, poet, and civil activist. Sitas will remind attendees of the transformative potential of poetry with his powerful poem, Our little tropical stars: “From the hill my dear on a clear day you can see the class/struggle forever.”

Before the evening festivities, outreach sessions at various Durban tertiary institutions will set the stage for engaging younger audiences. Online participants won’t miss a beat, either; the digital programme includes two sessions each day, covering compelling topics like the African Poetry Book Fund and the pivotal role of African literary magazines, all livestreamed for a global audience.

A striking highlight of the inaugural day will be a conversation featuring Dr Nick Makoha (Uganda/UK) and Prof Kwame Dawes (Ghana/Jamaica), hosted by South Africa’s Quaz Roodt. This trio will dive deep into the interconnectedness of language, identity, and social justice, showcasing the powerful role of poetry in addressing these themes.

Later that evening, an international panel featuring poets from around the globe will tackle the festival theme head-on. Notable authors include Kiptoo Kiprono aka Dominion (Kenya), Sébastien Refesse (Réunion Island), Olena Huseynova (Ukraine), Kwame Dawes, and Vanessa Daniels (Brussels), all bringing their unique perspectives and experiences to the fore. Dominion, Kenya’s reigning Grand Slam champion, draws inspiration from his heritage to narrate contemporary struggles, while Refesse employs traditional ‘maloya’ music to reinvent history and protest through performance.

Huseynova, writing in the backdrop of war in Ukraine, documents the lives of women striving to maintain dignity amid turmoil. Concluding the international ensemble are Dawes and Daniels, adding depth and nuance to the ongoing conversation about poetry's role in social justice.

Festival curator Siphindile Hlongwa remarked, “At a time when international borders are contested and barriers omnipresent, poetry builds bridges.” She emphasises the festival's commitment to fostering international connections between artists and audiences across the globe.

The week will continue with an array of readings, screenings, and performances culminating in a celebration on October 9, marking 61 years of New Coin, South Africa's venerable poetry journal. Attendees can look forward to reflections and readings by esteemed poets including Chanda Katonga, Grace Storm, and Malika Ndlovu among others.

The final day, October 11, will see participants engaging in a plethora of events — from the high-stakes Chalkboard Slam competition to enlightening sessions on copyright and digital authorship hosted by DALRO. Writers will delve into essential topics like ownership in the age of AI and social media.

By the end of this vibrant festival, attendees will have forged lasting connections, absorbed new insights, and embraced the courage needed to face the complexities of the world through the lens of poetry.