Poetry Africa

18/05/2026

🚨 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 🚨

The New Contrast x Ethics Lab is now open to writers, poets, artists, and storytellers across Southern Africa. 🌍✨

Theme: African futures, technology, ethics & imagination.
Deadline: 15 July 2026.
For submission guidelines and full details, visit the link below.✍🏽

https://www.newcontrast.net/nc-x-ethics-lab/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAR3z-hjbGNrBHfP0GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHm2HCLPQ3z3EAMjOD3qn5d0uVf1zPN9wX8tr39qVXFFVexRk4OWCwP-4wSAO_aem_Pakx4fVbWKT6scxJnlDi5A

You can submit your poetry and prose to New Contrast magazine here. Submissions need to be made through the submissions manager - Submittable.

17/05/2026

Before she became the powerhouse performer known across the continent as Busiswa, Busiswa Gqulu was already commanding stages at Poetry Africa 2013 with her bold presence, rhythmic lyricism, and unmistakable performance energy.

Today, she is a globally recognised artist with countless hit songs to her name — including Ngoku, Banomoya, My Name Is, Bazoyenza, Lahla, and Midnight Starring. But even during her poetry days, you could already hear the rhythm, cadence, and lyrical musicality that would later make her a superstar.

And honestly, even today in her music, you can still tell she is a poet… or once was 😁

Busiswa siyacela ubuye ntombi!

This is further evidence that the Poetry Africa stage has hosted numerous elite talents over the years — and continues to nurture greatness even today.

This October, Durban will host the World Slam Championship from 5–10 October at The Playhouse Company. Make sure you are there to witness greatness from all around the world.

Be on the lookout for tickets, weekly passes, packages, the full programme, and the official line-up.

Are you excited? 🔥🌍🎤

15/05/2026

🔥 REMINDER TO SUBMIT 🔥🙏🏽

NOTICE 🚨🚨🚨

There won’t be any Live Stream, so make sure you RSVP and come witness the Slammers burn it down live at the Centre for Creative Arts🔥🔥🔥

🔥 BOARDROOM SLAMMERS – ROUND 5 🔥

Things just got more interesting this month 👀

🎥 VIDEO SUBMISSIONS are now officially acceptable.
⏳ Maximum length: 3 minutes per video
📝 2 poems per poet
🎤 Any theme of your choosing
📱 Text & Video submissions accepted
📖 Please read the guidelines before submitting: poetryafrica.ukzn.ac.za

💰 WIN R1000 (Only One Winner Each Month)
🏆 Top 10 finalists perform LIVE

📅 Finals: 29 May 2026
🕑 Time: 14:00 – 16:00
📍 Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN Howard College

📌THE COMPETITION IS STRICTLY FOR DURBAN AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

⏰ Closing Date: 25 May 2026

📲 Send your entries via WhatsApp: 069 272 1918 🚨

Bring your best words. Bring your best performance. Let’s go again people.🔥🙏🏽

14/05/2026

Before the world came to know her as Sho Madjozi, Maya Wegerif was already lighting up stages at Poetry Africa 2016 with her vibrant poetic voice, infectious energy, and unmistakable rhythm.

Even back then, her poetry carried a musical and groovy element that made her performances feel larger than life, a glimpse into the superstar she would later become. Her journey from spoken word to global music stages is a powerful reminder of how poetry can shape and launch extraordinary artistic careers.🗺️🔥

Poetry Africa is proud to have witnessed part of that journey.

12/05/2026

If you’re a writer, an Author , or someone who loves books, feel free to come and read with Siyafunda Sonke Silent Reading Sessions at Centre for Creative Arts on the 16 May 2026, from 2pm till 5pm. Just bring your own book.
Snacks will be served! 🤘🏾😍📚🔌📖

09/05/2026

Poetry Africa congratulates on this remarkable achievement for her acclaimed collection Weeping Becomes a River. 🌍📖✨

Siphokazi has long been a powerful and important voice in South African poetry, and it has been inspiring to witness her continued growth and recognition on the global stage. Her work carries extraordinary depth, honesty, musicality, and emotional power, weaving together memory, language, identity, and storytelling in ways that deeply move audiences.

As part of the Poetry Africa family, we are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition. Weeping Becomes a River continues to affirm the brilliance of African poetry and the importance of our stories.

Congratulations to Siphokazi Jonas on this incredible honour. We wish her continued success, creativity, and many more milestones ahead. 👏🏾✨

08/05/2026

🔥 BOARDROOM SLAMMERS – ROUND 5 🔥

Things just got more interesting this month 👀

🎥 VIDEO SUBMISSIONS are now officially acceptable.
⏳ Maximum length: 3 minutes per video
📝 2 poems per poet
🎤 Any theme of your choosing
📱 Text & Video submissions accepted
📖 Please read the guidelines before submitting: poetryafrica.ukzn.ac.za

💰 WIN R1000 (Only One Winner Each Month)
🏆 Top 10 finalists perform LIVE

📅 Finals: 29 May 2026
🕑 Time: 14:00 – 16:00
📍 Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN Howard College

📌THE COMPETITION IS STRICTLY FOR DURBAN AND SURROUNDING AREAS.

⏰ Closing Date: 25 May 2026

📲 Send your entries via WhatsApp: 069 272 1918 🚨

Bring your best words. Bring your best performance. Let’s go again people.🔥🙏🏽

08/05/2026

Poetry Africa extends heartfelt congratulations to Raúl Zurita on receiving the 2026 Lifetime Recognition Award. 🌍✨

Raúl Zurita was part of Poetry Africa in 2011, and it has been a privilege to witness the depth, courage, and brilliance of his work over the years. His poetry has continued to captivate, challenge, and inspire audiences across the world, standing as a powerful testament to the resilience of art and the human spirit.

We celebrate this well-deserved recognition and wish him continued strength, creativity, and success. Congratulations to a true legend of world poetry. 👏🏾📖✨

06/05/2026

Take a trip down memory lane with us to Poetry Africa 2006, where Lebo Mashile delivered a truly unforgettable performance.

If you’ve ever been part of the Poetry Africa journey, we want to hear from you , how many editions have you attended, and which years left a mark on you?

01/05/2026

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Zibusiso Siyakholwa Ganyaza, a cherished member of our Poetry Africa family.
He won the 2025 Boardroom Slammers January edition and went on to compete alongside other champions in September 2025 for the ultimate Boardroom Slammers title. His journey with us dates back to 2021, when he submitted for the Open Mic Competition, and from then on, he remained a constant and valued presence.

Zibusiso was an exceptional writer and an even more captivating performer. His calm, grounded energy fused powerfully with his volatile, evocative words, creating a presence that was impossible to ignore.

We have lost a true treasure in the poetry community. In his work, one could sense the spirit of a traveller, passing through yet leaving a lasting imprint. We are honoured to have experienced his presence and witnessed such profound young greatness.

Ulalekahle Ganyaza wethu.🕊❤️