Excitement is mounting in Mangaung as the countdown to the "Sound of Poetry" festival orchestrated by Arts Amuse begins. Literary pundits have also been praising Mme Rita Chihawa the brain behind the great festival. Meanwhile the billed poets are ready to strut their stuff...
Poets' Profiles
1. Alme Swart: Has been involved in several productions that toured to Grahamstown National Arts Festival in 2009 and 2010. "I was involved with MedFM radio station in 2009 where I wrote ghost stories for their midnight show and also did a little bit of presenting. I have published in two different poetry books called 'Masks' and 'Boksemdais'"
2. Azanian Kid - Morena Berries, a well known young actor and bard epitomises the quintessence of an artist - he has also published his lyrical compositions in local papers. An international newspaper once referred to him as a "maverick"!
3. Seiso Mpete
4. Hector Kunene: Has a book called Through the Tunnel which became a success, the book received good reviews. Later in 2010 he published his second book, a literary study of Chief Bolaji. He is an award winner; the Free State writer of the year 2010 which opened doors and received great publicity. He has performed at Vuka Festival and Macufe respectively 2010 and 2011. He also features in Free State News as a columnist and has worked at Motheo FM as a motivational speaker
5. Jah Rose: "JahRose” Jafta, a revered poetess known for her poetry anthology called, Rooted from the heart and she is one of the Facilitators and Founders of the FREE STATE TLOUHADI ART PROJECT that has been touring around the Free State.
6. Phillippa Yaa De Villers: Phillippa Yaa de Villiers-Venter is an award-winning South African writer, performer, and poet living in Johannesburg. She studied journalism in South Africa and theater in Paris and then returned to academia in the late 1990s, consolidating her passions for writing and performance with a degree in dramatic arts. She writes for a television series in South Africa and has performed in numerous festivals around the world.
