The Poetry Africa international poetry festival takes place in Durban in early October, predominantly featuring poets from South Africa and elsewhere on the African continent. The seven-day programme includes performances, music, book-launches, the Durban SlamJam, seminars, workshops, open mic sessions, and school programmes. Poetry Africa satellite events take place in other cities and countries. Poetry Africa is organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (UKZN).


Durban 17 - 22 october
Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre 17 - 21 October

Bat Centre 22 October


Confirmed Poets for 2011:

Didier Awadi (Senegal), Gabeba Baderoon (South Africa), Joshua Bennett (USA), Jaap Blonk (The Netherlands), TJ Dema (Botswana), Dikson (Zimbabwe), Sandile Dikeni (South Africa), Myesha Jenkins (South Africa), Khadijatou (United Kingdom), Phelelani Makhanya (South Africa), Oswald Mtshali (South Africa), Dashen Naicker (South Africa), Niyi Osundare (Nigeria), Shailja Patel (Kenya), Fernando Rendon (Colombia), Patrice Treuthardt (Reunion), Uzinzo (South Africa), Mphutlane wa Bofelo (South Africa), David wa Maahlamela (South Africa), Raul Zurita (Chile).

On tour - 8 - 15 october

Poetry Africa on Tour:

Blantyre (Malawi) 8-9 October

Johannesburg 10-11 October

Harare (Zimbabwe) 12-13 October

Cape Town 14-15 October


Tour participants: (View tour participant bios)

Didier Awadi (Senegal) with Tibass Kangu (DRC), Chiwoniso Maraire (Zimbabwe), Kwame Dawes (Ghana/Jamaica), TJ Dema (Botswana), Khadijatou (United Kingdom), Lebo Mashile (South Africa), Shailja Patel (Kenya). Chris Abani (Nigeria) joins the tour for Johannesburg, Zimbabwe and Cape Town; Jaap Blonk (Netherlands) for Zimbabwe and Cape Town; South Africans Gabeba Baderoon and Sandile Dikeni for Cape Town. Local poets will also participate in the showcases in the respective centres.