Thando Fuze

Thando Fuze is a multifaceted creative force, known for her evocative spoken word

performances, thought-provoking writings, and innovative curation. Born and raised in Durban, South Africa, Fuze has established herself as a prominent voice in the literary and performance art scenes.

Founder and Director of Fuze Art, a company dedicated to promoting works by female artists, Fuze's own creative output explores themes of identity, individualism, sexuality, gender equality, and politics, all woven together by threads of love.

Fuze's writing journey began as a means of escapism, evolving into a therapeutic outlet for self-discovery, healing, and linguistic exploration. Her self-published chapbook, Conversations with The Human (2018), marked a significant milestone in her literary career.

A passionate advocate for women's empowerment and youth development, Fuze initiated the SHEfted Minds project in 2016, providing a platform for female artists to showcase their work.

She has also worked extensively with schools and colleges, establishing poetry platforms as safe spaces for young people to discuss social issues.

Fuze's performances have captivated audiences at numerous festivals, including the Goteborg Book Fair (Sweden), Queer Art Festival (Sweden), Poetry Africa (South Africa), and Essence Festival: Articulate Africa (South Africa). Her work has been featured in various publications, such as Home Is Where The Mic Is Anthology, Conversations with The Human, and #Hashtag.

Social Media Handles:

Facebook: Thando Fuze Poet & Thando Fuze

Instagram: @thando_fuze

X: @Thando_Fuze

TikTok: @thando_fuze

Host: Zizipho Bam

Zoom Room: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89955065083...

Meeting ID: 899 5506 5083

Passcode: 4ucS3b

Archie Swanson

Monday 14 April, 19:30: Archie Swanson is an awarded and widely published South African poet with five collections of poetry, and a sixth entitled winnowings, being published later this year. He is a past chair of the South African Literary Journal which publishes New Contrast, and with Bruce Jack was the originator of the National Poetry Prize. Archie will be in conversation with Douglas Reid Skinner about his recently released fifth collection, at the estuary. www.instagram.com/poetarchie

Host: Stuart Payne

Zoom Room: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89955065083...

Meeting ID: 899 5506 5083

Passcode: 4ucS3b

Gary Cummiskey

Gary Cummiskey is a poet, short story writer and publisher living in Johannesburg. He is the author of several poetry chapbooks and collections, the latest being Somewhere else (Graffiti, Kolkata, 2024). In 2009 he published Who was Sinclair Beiles?, a compilation of writings about the South African Beat poet, co-edited with Eva Kowalska. A revised and expanded edition was published in 2014. His short fiction collection Off-ramp was a finalist for the 2014 Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award. From 2014 to 2016 he was editor of New Coin, one of South Africa’s oldest and most prestigious poetry journals.

Host: Stuart Payne

Zoom Room: https://us05web.zoom.us/j/89955065083...

Meeting ID: 899 5506 5083

Passcode: 4ucS3b