Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva, founder and Director of the Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation, participated in the 28th Poetry Africa festival that took place from 3 to 12 October in Johannesburg, Durban and virtually.

Beverley in performance at Poetry Africa, 2024-Durban.

After a scintillating interview on South Africa Broadcasting Radio (SABC), where she shared passionately about her journey in poetry, some of her favourite poets and how Babishai has impacted the continent, she arrived in Durban for a riveting week.

At the Mazisi Kunene Foundation, above, with his widow, who has preserved it for over a decade, inviting the world to see the wealth of her husband’s art.

The festival was packed with such masterful discussions on art, branding, multiplicity of genres under poetry, the opportunities within technology and how the different generations have been instrumental in shaping poetry where it is today.

Other Ugandans that participated were spoken word performer Hawa Kimbugwe and U.K based Dr. Nick Makoha. There were outstanding presentations from the University of Johannesburg students, from slam poets across the continent and dynamic performances from vising poets across the world.

Organised by the University of Johannesburg and  the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, in collaboration with major sponsors, the festival was one of the most well organised and creatively curated poetry events on the continent. Curated by Siphindile Hlpmgwa and Quaz Roodt, the entire team of organisers did a splendid job.

The festival was crowned with the Grand poetry slam finale , with an extremely tight race between Masai Sepuru and Olive Olusegun, the latter who eventually took the crown.

Such talent is unparalleled and a huge Congratulations are owed to each contestant.