Centre for Creative Arts Receives R800 000 Boost for Poetry Africa

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The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) has secured an R800 000 grant from the National Lottery Commission to support the 29^th edition of its flagship event, the Poetry Africa festival.

Facilitated by the UKZN Foundation, this funding will enhance the festival’s community engagement, international reach, and contribution to the local creative economy.

Poetry Africa has grown into one of Africa’s leading spoken word platforms, renowned for uniting voices from around the world. With the support of this new funding, the 2025 edition promises to be the festival’s most dynamic to date.

“The support from the National Lottery Commission will allow us to affirm Poetry Africa’s status as a leading cultural event,” said Dr Ismail Mahomed, Director of the CCA. “It enables us to not only host more international poets, but also to reach deeper into local communities and offer more to emerging artists.”

Artists are among the direct beneficiaries of the funding, receiving support for travel, accommodation, and performance fees. Audiences in five local community centres and schools will also benefit through a targeted outreach programme designed to make poetry accessible, inclusive, and representative of South Africa’s diverse voices.

One of the most exciting developments is the launch of two new Slam Poetry competitions: the ‘Chalkboard Slammers’ for high school learners and the ‘Boardroom Slammers’ for young adults in and around Durban. What makes these competitions stand out is that participants write and perform their poetry in isiZulu, fostering pride in indigenous languages and local storytelling traditions.

Another major innovation is the expansion of the Poetry Africa film programme. For the first time, the festival will issue an international call to poetry filmmakers, inviting them to submit their work to be screened during the event. This new dimension blends visual arts and spoken word, broadening the festival’s creative scope and appeal.

The CCA will also host the 5^th World Poetry Slam Championships in 2026, welcoming poets from over 40 countries. This global gathering positions Poetry Africa and the CCA as major players in the international poetry community.

Curator of Poetry Africa Ms Siphindile Hlongwa said, “More than just a festival, Poetry Africa is an engine for economic and cultural development, which creates jobs for South African youth and equips them with skills that will assist in sustaining their careers. The festival contributes to the knowledge economy of the University where the festival’s archives are a research resource for scholars.”

The successful funding application was the result of a strong collaboration between the CCA and the UKZN Foundation. While the CCA developed the project concept and programme, the Foundation - through Donor Relations Manager, Ms Bukiwe Biyela, and Director Mr Steve Camp - provided governance support to meet the National Lottery Commission’s compliance requirements.

Poetry Africa continues to expand its footprint with support from key partners including the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports, Arts and Culture; the French Institute of South Africa; the University of Johannesburg; and international collaborators from Ukraine, Brussels, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, and other diplomatic missions.

“This funding is not just a financial boost - it’s an endorsement of our vision to make Poetry Africa a beacon for African festivals,” said Hlongwa. “We’re excited to host around 100 poets from 25 countries in 2025 and build towards welcoming the world in 2026.”

Words: Melissa Mungroo

Photograph: Supplied