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Poetic Spaces
Poetry & Spoken Word / Amazwi

The production "Poetic Spaces" is a spoken word experience that delves into the emotions of men. It explores various areas of profound impact, including the effects of colonisation on men and the challenges they continue to face. The production also sheds light on mental health issues that men often refrain from discussing. 

One of the core aspects of Poetic Spaces is challenging and questioning the stereotypical terms that unfairly marginalise and belittle men. In addressing these issues, the production aims to create a more inclusive and understanding society.

While the production primarily focuses on men's experiences, it also includes opposing poems that echo from a woman's point of view. These poems explore love complications and the gender imbalance, ensuring a balanced narrative and promoting dialogue between genders. 

Poetic Spaces is a powerful and thought-provoking initiative that utilises spoken word to address significant societal issues and provide a platform for diverse voices to be heard. Through its activities, the team creates poetic safe spaces and fosters connections in disadvantaged communities, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and empathetic society.

 

Production Credits

Mandlovu and the Band
Luphumlo Batyi - Percunnist
Luthando Kasika - Pianist
Anga Ndokweni - Vocalist
Sinoxolo Botha - Contemporary dancer
Precious Rala - Make up
 
 
 

About the Artists

Nobesuthu Mandlovu is a multidimensional performance poet, writer, music composer & producer. She was born and raised in a township called Walmer in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape. Through the mediums of poetry, writing, playing instruments, singing and public speaking, she conveys African stories.
 
During her high School years, she developed ties with a teenage theatre company named Siyakhuthaza Youth Drama where where she discovered traces of her calling. She performed theatrical productions and musical pieces at the Makhanda festival stages, Mandela Bay Arts Festival, and Women in Arts Manyano courtesy of the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex and often blesses the stages reciting for the National Library and Artec local Museum.
 
She won an international poetry competition and her work is celebrated and archived in Ireland at the Belfast Festival, alongside the other 19 international poets who won in the Golden Shovel Poetry Jukebox that’s curated by the well accomplished poet Nandi Jola. Suthu is amongst the poets in Eastern Cape poets who won the Umyalezo Poetry Project courtesy of Poetic Soul Love House. She produced a Spoken Word production called Ashes to Ashes that won a  National Arts Festival Standard Bank Ovation Award in 2023. 
 
She is now a radio personality for Ekse Community Radio on Afternoon Drive. To further that muscle of radio presenting she's studied at Radio Active Productions Publishing, and is currently studying Film and Television at The Media works School.
 
She does public speaking, event organising, and MC or hosting. The hands and training of the late Mama Nomhle Nkonyeni, Lelethu Poetic Soul Mahambehlala, Thembisile Ndlovu, and Pauline Cordell solidified her enthusiasm and inspiration. 
 
She plans to use art as a strategy for making a positive impact in society. She thinks art is a means for God to communicate with his people. Artists play a critical role in bringing vitality to a world that has lost touch with its core values: love and peace.
 
SYLEEZ
"MY NAME IS SYLEEZ BY THE WAY"
Siliziwe Jako, well known as Syleez is a poet and percussionist whose roots are in Alice, Eastern Cape. He fell in love with poetry at a tender age when it was introduced to him by his then isiXhosa and Arts and Culture primary school teacher. He has since became a poet at heart but only started perfoming in 2017 shortly after he moved to Gqeberha (previously known as Port Elizabeth) for educational and work purposes. The qualified Electrical Engineer and self-taught percussionist fuses his indigenous spoken word poetry with modern day musical instruments which are played by his newly formed energetic band called Ubuntu Makwande. All gratitude goes to Mr MM Swaartbooi (primary school teacher) who triggered a hidden gift of the spoken word.
 
SYLEEZ won the 2020 Recite You Own Poetry which afforded him a two weeks’ vacation to England where he performed on different platforms. He has performed alongside local and national household brands such as: Radio and TV personality, Unathi Nkayi, Actress / Comedian Khanyisa Bunu, Aubrey Qwana, Nomfundo Mo and Buhle Bendalo Mda.
 
SLYEEZ participated in a movement called INSPIRE A STUDENT which tours South Africa, visiting schools, a project which is the brainchild of renowned SA author, Bandile Magibili. Syleez was recently selected along with 5 other poets to showcase his talent at the Umyalezo Poetry Project at the Mendi Arts Centre.

Sibabalwe Benu is a poet, artist manager, events organiser, comedian and a motivational speaker. He was born in the Eastern Cape (Butterworth). He has shared a stage with Dr Joshua Maponga, worked with TD Sax the saxophonist, worked with Bunoh the artist, and lastly, he has worked as a presenter at KCR FM. He organised a charity event called Xmas at the Park, and he is the founder of Butterworth Has Got Talent and at the moment he is working on Step on the Untapped event (Entertainment).

The person behind the following lines is Phelokazi Nohlaka. The name Phelokazi is of Xhosa origin and Phelo means lastborn and kazi has the emphasis on being a female. Phelokazi is originally from a small town, IDutywa in Gwadana, in the Eastern Cape. This 22-year-old is a writer/poet, 
 
Phelokazi's love for writing began in Primary school when a teacher read poetry out loud in class. Authors like William Shakespeare and Maya Angelou as well as other Xhosa Poets like Simbone are inspirations.
 
 

 

  • Venue: Amazwi
  • Location: Amazwi South African Museuem of Literature
  • Ticket price: ZAR 100.00
  • Programme type: The Fringe
  • Genre: Poetry & Spoken Word
  • Duration: 60 min
  • Ages: ALL AGES
    • Suitable for All Ages

There are no performances for this show.