Durban poets shine in international poetry initiative for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup

Two talented poets from Durban have been selected to participate in an international poetry initiative celebrating the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in the United Kingdom.

The competition kicked off on August 22 and will conclude on September 27, 2025.

Durban UNESCO City of Literature will be represented by local writers Ekta Somera and Fikile Simelane in the Poetry Scrum. This global video poetry project is hosted by Exeter UNESCO City of Literature.

The project features 15 women poets from UNESCO Cities of Literature worldwide.

Each poet has contributed a 15-line poem, drawing inspiration from themes of female empowerment, sport, and movement.

Somera, who is a youth activist, author, and the founder of Paper Trail Literary Journal, said her poem titled ‘A challenge awaits’ is a gentle and empowering reflection on women who walk with beauty and grace, who can also play sports.

She said the poem is an expression of ambitious women who can do it all.

“I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity; it is an honour to represent Durban, my country, and women in literature and sport,” she said.

Somera is also passionate about encouraging young people to embrace authenticity and pursue careers in literature and publishing.

Her poetry collections Made in Poetry, Twenty Two, and Social Misfit explore personal growth and social commentary.

Somera added that these poems, being showcased on social media throughout the World Cup and played during the tournament, bring a powerful literary voice to one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

Simelane is an author, businesswoman, facilitator, and speaker who focuses on empowerment, education, and mental health awareness.

She uses her platform to inspire resilience and growth through storytelling and dialogue, and has written three books called I Lived by Not Living, Healing the Wounds, and 28 Days: Love Has No Colour.

Simelane said her featured poem, 'I exist', celebrates womanhood and acknowledges the challenges that women face.

She said it highlights women's extraordinary capacity, resilience, and their ability to create beauty through honest self-expression, without succumbing to circumstances.

“I believe words are powerful, and what we declare has the power to transform reality.” 

Simelane said this is also a great opportunity to help represent the literary communities of Durban.

“I am truly excited to be featured on this project, as I know the poem shines a spotlight on what women go through and how they find meaning in their identity in a positive way, regardless of circumstances.

“And by this being featured in the Poetry Scrum at the Women's Rugby World Cup, we are showing that our voices cross into a multitude of spaces,” she said.

Featured Poem by Fikile Simelane: 

I exist. The earth was not complete in my absence.

My ribs were crafted to carry the rhythm of nations,

I exist to give life,

I exist to bring love and care,

My womb is blessed to carry the nation.

Pain trusts me that I won't fail,

I can only die to live,

Beauty is my sanity,

Mirror is my reflection of self,

Value is of an expensive diamond.

I survive with a smile that is a jeopardy to many,

Jealousy is not fair.

I walk on heels as pride of my happiness,

Bone of the bone.

Who am I? I am a woman that exists.

Featured Poem by Ekta Somera: 

The opposition

mocks her ambition

but she aims for goals -

from catwalks

through the stadium

to sprinting on the field

she smiles in support

a sisterhood forms

a challenge awaits -

the spectators stare

with starry eyes

gleaming with pride

as she steps out of heels

to kick a football -

she really can do it all

karen.singh@inl.co.za