October 5, 2006
By Thabang Mokoka
POETRY takes centre stage in Jozi this weekend, when about 30 poets from 12 countries descend on Newtown for a special celebration of the Tenth Poetry Africa poetry festival.
The gathering takes place on Saturday, 7 October at Museum Africa in Newtown, and includes an assortment of poetic styles from the traditional to the cutting edge. Hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal's Centre for Creative Arts, it forms part of the centre's Poetry Africa, the annual international poetry festival that was begun by poet Breyten Breytenbach a decade ago. Now in its tenth year, the full festival takes place in Durban from 9 to 14 October.
Gail Snyman, Poetry Africa's administrator, says the festival is a platform for artists to share the craft of poetry. "We want local artists to be exposed to the international arena."
Africa speaks
Local artists performing their own words include the popular Lebogang Mashile, poet-artist-activist Lefifi Tladi, dramatist and columnist John Matshikiza, and prominent activist and writer Mafika Gwala, who rose to prominence during the Black Consciousness era. They will be joined by the sharp-tongued British poet Benjamin Zephaniah.
Africa's rich tradition of story-telling will be explored by Gambian kora player Alhaji Papa Susso, who is descended from a long line of griots, Democratic Republic of Congo poet Kama Kamanda and Nigerian music and dance poet Perpetual Eziefule-Emenekwum. Mozambique's Eduardo White is also on the bill and Zimbabwe is represented by Julius Chingono and the poetic comedy duo The Guests, whose performances incorporate painting and drama.
Music forms part of the festivities, with jazz legends Bheki Khoza and Pops Mohammed accompanying story-teller Gcina Mhlophe
(Photo: University of KwaZulu-Natal's Centre for Creative Arts )
Other artists performing include award-winning Finuala Dowling, Makhosazana Xaba, Rustum Kozain, Mzi Mahola and Sally-Ann Murray. Music forms part of the festivities, with jazz legends Pops Mohammed and Bheki Khoza accompanying story-teller Gcina Mhlophe, maskandi star Shiyani Ngcobo, and Henry Bowers and his Swedish hip-hop trio, who will add a cool far-north flavour. Renowned music maestro Oliver Mtukudzi will perform solo.
In the SlamJam session, slam champion Bowers will be pitted against Durban poets Lexikon, Mputlane Wa Bofelo and Ewok. Jozi imbongi Jessica Mbangeni will add a decidedly African twist, while Keorapetse Kgositsile, Dennis Brutus, Lisa Combrinck, Lesego Rampolokeng, Pitika Ntuli, !Bushwomen and Kojo Baffoe, among others, will fill out the Joburg programme.
Snyman says that by bringing the special event to Joburg, the organisers aim to make this year's Poetry Africa the biggest yet, given that it is celebrating its tenth birthday. "We don't want to link our celebration to Durban only."
Satellite events prior to the main event will take place on Thursday, 6 October in Newtown. The festival kicks off at 1pm at Xarra Books, with free performances by Eziefule-Emenekwum and Mahola. Over at Horror Café, kora meets maskandi at 9pm, with Papa Susso and Ngcobo. Tickets are R40 at the door.
Later Bowers and his band get on stage, with Lexikon, Wa Bofelo, Ewok and Optical Illusion. This performance is scheduled to start at 11pm and tickets are R30 at the door.
The main event is on Saturday, 7 October at Museum Africa, at 6pm. Tickets are R60 at the door or through Computicket. Parking is available behind the Market Theatre and at the Oriental Plaza; a shuttle will run every 10 minutes between the venue and the plaza parking.
From 9 to 14 October the festival moves to Durban.
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