Thando Fuze is a poet, performer, curator and cultural activist from Durban, South Africa, whose work explores identity, sexuality, gender justice and the complexities of contemporary Black womanhood. A compelling voice in spoken-word performance, she founded the SHEfted Minds project in 2016 to amplify the work of female artists, and has worked with schools as a peer educator. She has featured at festivals including the Göteborg Book Fair and Queer Art Festival (Sweden), the

Petros Isaakidis was born in Greece and trained as a physician and epidemiologist, work that has taken him to Kenya, Gaza and the West Bank, Cambodia, India, Thailand, South Africa, and elsewhere. Alongside his scientific work, he holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing (with distinction) from the University of Cape Town, and his poetry and prose, in English and Greek, have appeared in a variety of magazines. His bilingual poetry collection, volcanoed / ηφαιστειωθείς, was

Join us for the Launch of Blood Skin Bones — the new collection from Phelelani Makhanya. Phelelani Makhanya is a writer and poet from Kwa-Maphumulo, KZN. His work has been published in major South African literary journals including New Contrast, Botsotso, Stanzas, New Coin and the AVBOB Poetry Project. He has three published poetry collections — 'This Time I Shall Not Cry', 'My Father's Blazer', and the recently published 'Blood Skin Bones' — with a fourth, 'The Village Watc

Alvené Appollis-Siebritz is a South African poet, educator, and former journalist. She holds a BA in Languages, a PGCE, and an Honours degree in Afrikaans Sociolinguistics from Nelson Mandela University. A member of the Ecca Poets collective, she has published widely in English and Afrikaans anthologies since 2001. Her work has received recognition from the International Society of Poets, and she is the author of One Community, Many Communities, a heritage history project. Or

Alexis is a storyteller at heart whose work spans theatre, education, and creative arts. Drawn to stories that celebrate curiosity, resilience, and human connection, she enjoys exploring characters and ideas that linger long after the final page or curtain call. Through her work as an educator and artist, she encourages others to find their voice and embrace the transformative power of storytelling. Time: 19.30, 29 June Zoom Room: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89955065083?pwd=1sZ

Kirsten Deane is the lead editor of English Alive, South Africa’s oldest publication for high school students. She has been published in journals nationally and internationally. Her debut collection, ‘Disabled,But’ will be released in April 2026 by uHlanga Press. Kirsten holds a Masters in Creative Writing degree from the University of the Western Cape. Kirsten is passionate about volunteerism and conducts creative writing workshops at children’s homes. She is also a disabili

Elizabeth Trew was born and grew up in Cape Town. She spent 27 years in exile in England until 1991. She has a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Linguistics from the University of East Anglia, UK, and a Wits MA in English Education. A former librarian and adult education teacher in England and Johannesburg, her poems have appeared in journals and anthologies here and abroad. Her debut collection is My Mother the Seal (Hands-On Books, 2023). Her second collection, Star Salte

18 May, 19.30: Yamoria is a Johannesburg-based collaborative spoken word duo formed by Mfumo and Fumane Ntlhabane. Known for blending performance poetry with cultural storytelling, Yamoria has carved out a unique space in South Africa’s creative landscape. Their professional journey includes high-profile collaborations with major brands. In a notable international commission, Yamoria was invited by the Kingdom of the Netherlands to write and perform a bespoke spoken word pie

19.30 4 May: Jenna Mervis is a South African poet and museum storyteller. She was born and educated in Durban and holds an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Cape Town. Her poems and short stories have appeared in several South African literary journals, and she is the author of two poetry collections: Woman Unfolding (Modjaji Books, 2011) and Braided River (Indeed Books, 2026). Jenna also publishes essays and musings on her Substack newsletter, Words at Play:...

Dear Poets and Poetry-Lovers, Join us on 20 April at 19.30 for a reading by Wendy Woodward! Wendy Woodward taught literature and creative writing for nearly three decades in the English Department at the University of the Western Cape. Cape Town, South Africa. She has published academically as well as creatively, locally and internationally, notably The Animal Gaze: Animal Subjectivities in Southern African Narratives (2008) and three poetry collections: Séance for the Bo