By Waaqiah Jaffer
Over the past warm spring weekend writers as young as 18 years and as old as 52 years were bringing the heat to the stage with their astounding performances at the Northern Cape (NC) theatre last weekend.
The three day poetry festival kicked off in Kimberley from Saturday 7-9 September. The atmosphere was filled with ecstasy as writers, musicians, small business owners, Youtubers and supportive audience members mingled in the foyer. This event was hosted by writer and publisher, Mogale Sedibe.
At the front of the theatre a huge jumping castle captivated the children. Guests were greeted by the wares on display from passionate small business owners who exhibited their products in the foyer. These included start-up businesses such as MIZA an apparel print entity, Blaqfeather Tattoos for body art and Asilizuri a hairline marketer as well as Tribal Culture and Deep House who are also in the apparel print business.
The programme was aimed at empowering the unemployed youth. “We created 70 jobs within the arts fraternity. These jobs entailed organisers, administrators, ushers and musicians”, explained Sedibe.
Vuyokazi Ngemtu, a 40 year-old Capetonian writer and mother of five children gave an exemplary performance. “Usually around 3am when spirits speaks the loudest is when I’m able to tap in and do the writing”, she said.
Amongst the writers were: Mutle Mothibe, Lesedi Swanepoel, Nolwazi Mahlangu, Kwena Peu and Mogote wa Poko. “They did an impeccable job”, Sedibe commended.
This auspicious event promoted diversity. “There were ten international acts as well as writers from Plaatfontein who write in their native San language”, he said.
Sedibe, who has successfully written and published five books, appealed to the NC Premier for assistance. The hope was to host this event annually.
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