KZN poets given a monthly voice BY Farai Diza

Poets the world over have often shed tears and bemoaned the lack of platforms to showcase their work. Not many establishments provide their stages to poets.

This has led to many talented and aspiring poets abandoning their dreams and the chance to showcase their talent to the world. A move that could literally mark the death of poetry – an art form that impacts so many lives.

But in a move that will give South African poets the stage to showcase their talents, award winning poet Mbali ‘Magcwabe Imbongi’ Mkhize Mabaso has launched the Poetry Tour. The Poetry Tour is a bold initiative that brings together spoken word poets to recite their poems to a poetry loving audience. These rhythmical poetry sessions are currently being held in the South African coastal region of KwaZulu Natal (KZN) and they are proving popular. The popularity further confirms the notion that poetry is still much alive in Africa.

“This idea was born with the realization that poets often find themselves in a shadow when it comes to getting gigs to perform. There are so many talented poets out there who are virtually unknown because they lack that platform to perform. I hope that this initiative will give our local poets the opportunity they desire in order to realize their poetic dreams,” said Mbali.

The launch was held at eNgadini in eSikhaleni and featured a number of seasoned and budding poets such as Ongwaqa Nonkamisa, Ischomane Sembongi, Mandisa da Poet, Lwandle da Poet, Imbongi kamajola and Ithole Lengonyama.