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Mail & Guardian

Poetry

latest news & developments

Zizipho Bam

Zizipho Bam is helping redefine the place of poetry in South Africa's cultural landscape. As a poet, cultural producer and communications strategist, she has built a career that…

Reflection: At the Kingsmead Book Fair readers, writers, thinkers and
the curious gather around stories. Photo: Supplied

Kingsmead Book Fair returns with conversations SA needs right now

As the 14th annual Kingsmead Book Fair returns to Johannesburg, the beloved literary gathering once again creates space for difficult conversations, thoughtful reflection and the…

A deeper voice: Bubu’s album, Folklore Chapter One, was the seed of the Folklore Festival that has become an ecosystem stretching across disciplines and inviting conversation.

Pilane Bubu and the work of remembering through folklore

Through its KinFolk theme, the Folklore Festival returns to the work of connection, bridging generations, regions and disciplines to reimagine how South Africa remembers,…

Intimate: The Moth will feature African storytellers sharing true,
personal 10-minute stories about forging new paths. Photo: Supplied

Gig Guide: The Moth returns to Johannesburg, Zu’s 20 years in music and the Maison Martell residency arrives in Johannesburg

Your essential dose of art and culture

Ndumiso Zondi’s three must-reads

Many commit to reading books every year and are not sure where to start. Here are three books poet Ndumiso Zondi suggest

Art of protest: Vaal Generationperformed at Artists Against Corruption’s show. Photo: JS Design

Fighting corruption through the arts

United by poems, plays and passion, artists tackle corruption head-on at a Joburg performance

Gift: Vus’umuzi Phakathi, winner of this year’s Toastmasters’ Southern African Champion of Public Speaking award. Picture: Supplied

The architecture of speech: How to be heard

Southern Africa’s top speaker, Vus’umuzi Phakathi, unpacks the architecture of a powerful speech, mental illness, transformation and becoming visible in white spaces in an…

The MTN Bushfire Festival in eSwatini, which included a poetry and acoustics showcase. (Umsamo we Culture)

‘Travel has been my classroom’

From eSwatini to Johannesburg, poets are finding new voices through travel, collaboration and the transformative power of cultural exchange

My word: Modise Sekgothe has been given the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Poetry — the second recipient in four decades.

Modise Sekgothe’s poetry of transformation

In a quiet moment on an otherwise ordinary afternoon, Modise Sekgothe found out he had been selected as only the second poet to win the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for…

For good: Musicians will come together for a fundraiser for Suthukazi Arosi and Sivuyile Jengu.

Diary: My body My Space, Grieve, That’s How You Survive in Johannesburg and Cape Town,  Andile Yenana fundraiser

Your essential dose of art and culture

Ah-men to that: Poet Thabiso Mohare (above) is the co-founder of the Ah Men X Inside Out poetry series. (Dirk Skiba Photography)

Poetry Series: Men of their words

Series explores masculinity and healing through raw, powerful performances

Critique: Musician Tumi Mogorosi (above) and poet Lesego Rampolokeng will be in MoRa at the Pan African Theatre Festival.

Diary: The Pan African theatre festival, Disney’s Aladdin Jr and two unmissable events in Durban

Your essential dose of art and culture

Face it: Louise Westerhout’s bold artistry subverts societal narratives on queerness, disability and mortality. Photo: Lauren Brits

‘I’m not someone you can pity’

Louise Westerhout speaks about her challenging art and — the art of dying without fear

Memories: A scene from Dreamscape, a play about the life and death of
teenager Tyisha Miller, who was shot by police in California.

Play moves between dreaming and escaping

American play Dreamscape finds parallels in South Africa

Winning poet Collen Thabo

Undertaker’s challenge helps to keep poetry alive

South Africa’s largest funeral company, Avbob’s eighth poetry competition is being adjudicated by a panel of esteemed literary experts, with 11 winners in each of the country’s…