Poets from all over East London are set to unite on stage at the upcoming Ziveze Mbongi Poetry Concert later this year.
The show will feature 23 artists who will come together to perform poetry ‘imbongi yosiba’ and praise poetry ‘imbongi yomthonyama’.
One of the organisers, Pheliswa Nonfenu, also known as Nolinothi Ntombezinyanya, is an award-winning writer and poet who believes this type of event is needed in the entertainment space as it provides talented artists with the opportunity to connect and share their work.
“The Ziveze Mbongi Concert will be showcasing amazing talent and providing a networking opportunity among artists, writers, publishers and funders.
“The aim of the concert is to promote upcoming artists, community building and keep poetry alive,” said Nonfenu.
Some of the many talented poets in the concert lineup include Siphosethu Nongena, Portia Nzule, and Asiphesona Hewu.
Nongena, who will also feature at the event, said the event would remind people that poetry was still alive and provide healing and therapy to those in need.
“This is a chance for growing artists to showcase their talents and bring happiness to those in need. My poetry can be described as poetry in motion.
“I do poetry based on issues such as gender-based violence, hunger, and many other social issues,” said Nongena.
The large variety of artists and poetry genres to be showcased will ensure the event appeals to all races and age groups.
“Poetry brings improvement in literature language, promotes confidence while addressing societal issues around substance abuse, domestic violence, teenage pregnancies, and other such issues,” she said.
Nonfenu has been a part of many community projects that uplift the arts, especially among young people.
This includes the annual Battle of Municipalities Talent Search and the recent Ziveze Mbongi BCM High Schools Competition, in which high school pupils were given a platform to showcase their talent and received motivational input from entertainment industry professionals.
Another poet who will be taking the stage is World of Art Movement’s Cinga Dyala, who has been consistent in advocating for more opportunities to be made available for artists to showcase their work.
“I’m super excited to be part of this amazing project as it gives life to Poetry in BCM and surrounding municipalities. As we all know literature doesn’t get much attention and has a very small industry. This initiative draws attention to the art and allows the public to enjoy the spoken word. I am looking forward to being blessed, moved, and inspired by artists of the world who will be gracing the stage with their work,” said Dyala.
The Ziveze Mbongi Concert 2023 will take place at the East London Guild Theatre on Sunday, November 26.
It will start with a social cocktails and photoshoot session at 2pm, with the concert getting underway at 4pm.
Tickets, at R125 each, are available at Computicket, Shoprite, Checkers, and at the door.
