Siphokazi Jonas debut poetry show

The UCT graduate, and former Queenstown local, holds a Masters degree in English literature, as well as a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama and English.

This vital and voracious poet has been pushing the envelope in the work she has been producing over the past few months, and has been featured in the Inzync Poetry Sessions, in Stellenbosch, and has been an opening act for American poets Ezekiel Azonwu, Janette Ikz and Alysia Harris.

She's also the co-curator of Poetica, at the Open Book Festival, and recently featured in the February issue of Authors Magazine.

Siphokazi performed at Music Exchange 2014, to an audience including the likes of international heavyweights of the calibre of Mos Def, Trevor Jones, AKA, Estelle Kockot, RJ Benjamin, and Hotstix Mabuse, amongst others. Last August she was the guest artist at the Open Mic Jazz competition at GrandWest, along with Bev Scott Brown.

The young wordsmith has most recently worked with the Applauz Arts Initiative, at the Adam Small Festival. All of which bring her 28 February debut to the fore. "This show's an important one for me," the gifted academic admits.

The Kerk street venue boasts an intimate setting and Siphokazi intends working every square inch of it. "In the show I speak about restoring hope," she explains. The values and inspiration of her careful phrasing and meticulous metre will reveal themselves in the lovely cosy setting too. "Something we all need to do is take a break from today's hustle and bustle." Live and on the night her performance is intended to offer a compelling respite for punters of all ages.

"I will work with material from the humorous 'Fongkong Love', through to serious reflections in 'Samurai' and the uplifting, popular 'Dear Son' and 'Dear Daughter' too," she adds. Fruit Vendor and Keanu Harker will provide vocals and instrumental accompaniment on the night.

Tickets cost R60 and guests are requested to bring some non-perishable food that will be donated to a 76-year-old grandmother taking care of seven orphaned children in Lwandle, Strand.

Date: 28 February 2015
Time: 19:30 - 23:00
Venue: 45 Kerk Street - Kuils Rivier, Cape Town
Cost: R60

More info:

45 Kerk Straat Amandelrug in Kuilsrivier