INSPIRATIONAL VERSES EXCHANGED

By Qhama Dayile

Taking poets from the mud huts of KZN and then waltzing through to
the USA and back again to Cape Town on the last Wednesday of every
month you would swear that the Verses Poetry session's clock works
differently to mine.

The session on the 29th January was one for the books. Nicole Moody brought to her stage custom-made poets whose style can be found only at Verses: Plan Be, from the United States, who also featured on the Verses album, delivered his unique and truthful yet playful rap lyrics to the chilled-out audience. Za mesmerized the audience with her very sensual voice and got lost in time. Jitsvinger zapped us with his flexible style of writing, humbled energy, honesty on stage and his skill to bounce between guitar and rhyme. Together with The Khoi Khonnexion they delivered old and new sounds in sync.

Omekongo wa Dibinga delivered his bold statements with confidence and his articulate nature made the Zula audience eager to see him perform at the Spier Poetry Exchange. Cape Town seems to be taking poetry around the clock and even the unexpected power cuts don’t seem to put these true artists on a power trip.

Inspiring Voices held at the Ikhaya Lodge on Friday, 31 January, was also a
night to remember. The event blessed us with the sweet sounds of Alan Funk's
leading vocalist Nhoza as well as those of Ntsikelelo, the creator of Inspiring Voices. The ubiquitous Jitsvinger was also in the house again, and he delivered his soulful sermon as per usual. Jitsvinger again put the house alight.

The following day all poetry lovers made their way to Stellenbosch winelands for the long-awaited Spier Poetry Exchange. The show hosted writers and performers from various corners of the earth. The international delegation was supported by a renowned contingent of Mzansi artists such as Napo Masheane, Odidi Mfenyana, the legendary Gcina Mhlophe, the rhythmic directions of
Mandla Mbothwe, the 'Om te lewe is Onnatuurlik' writings by Gert Vlok
Nel, the beautiful 'Dub Mama' Enerstine Deane and Jacque Coetzee.

We salute all the artists and poets who made their voices heard!