Teamhw SbonguJesu

Teamhw SbonguJesu was born in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. He is a publisher, editor and writer at TNG Publishing Company (‘TNG’ – The New Generation) based in Pietermaritzburg. He has an LLB degree from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and an MA in Creative Writing with distinction from Rhodes University. His has two poetry collections Bury Me Naked and Slave.

Besides writing and publishing, Teamhw has a strong zeal for politics.

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Bury Me Naked, published in 2022, by TNG Publishing Company

Slave, published in 2023, by TNG Publishing Company

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Social media handles:

Teamhw SbonguJesu

(same for Instagram, Facebook and Twitter)

Host: Julia Smuts Louw

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

Meeting ID: 899 5506 5083

Passcode: 4ucS3b

Painkillers are expensive

I deal with my problems

by ignoring them.

I wait for the next stress

to replace the current stress.

I make diseases sick,

pills take themselves.

A prayer prays,

tears dry themselves.

I make bread eat itself,

starvation starve itself.

I also make old rags

wear themselves out.

Shoes walk barefoot.

I make debts pay themselves,

the interest is always interesting,

no matter how much time has lapsed.

I make silence scream,

and often the scream retaliates.

The result is always dead silence.

For that I make a sentence

write and serve itself.

Though I never judge.

by Teamhw SbonguJesu (page 22 of the collection Slave)

Barbara Grenfell Fairhead

Barbara Elizabeth Julia Fairhead (née Grenfell) (born 30 August 1939) is a South African based multi-disciplinary artist, poet, writer, and therapist.

Known for her pioneering work in art therapy and personal transformation, she has made significant contributions to South African arts through her poetry, sculpture, music, and therapeutic practices. She is particularly noted for developing The LifeSpaceGame, an innovative art therapy workshop, and for pioneering Sand Play in Cape Town.

Poems will be read from her upcoming volume “Wind”.

Host: Stuart Payne

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

Meeting ID: 899 5506 5083

Passcode: 4ucS3b

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