Features

Tshegofatso by Tshegofatso Monaisa

I’ll tell you what I am Gimme a pen By the time you’re done counting from 10 I would have already told you all the things I am A writer, A poet, A singer, Yes I know it, I like...

q&a: Mafika Gwala

Poetry Potion had the privilege of talking to a Soweto Poet, Mafika Gwala (who isn’t from Soweto).  He started writing in the sixties and published extensively with titles such as Jol’iinkomo (1977) and No More Lullabies (1982) and he has edited  Black Review (1973) and Musho!...

poet profile: Perpetual Eziefule-Emenkwum, Nigerian poet & performer

Perpetual Eziefule-Emenkwum is a humble, quiet extrovert, who loves to exchange ideas and receiving constructive criticism.  Her love for people provides her with immense inspiration.  She finds inspiration in all people and everything. ‘I believe that a poet has an...

q&a: Alhaji Papa Susso, Griot

Afrika’s tales, triumphs and failures are etched in our bodies, in our souls.  They ooze out of our pores in poetry, art, song, dance, music.  They are carved in our mothers’ and fathers’ wrinkles and calloused hands – untold.  They...

poet profile: Jessica Mbangeni, the Slamming Imbongi

For a while, I’ve had little regard for imbongi of the Xhosa tradition.  ‘What’s the all the noise!’  I’ve often said.  ‘Why do they always interrupt things?’  The snob in me spoke…  Although, I shouldn’t tell you this but, most...