Belita Andre is a Johannesburg based spoken word artist of Nigerian and Namibian descent. Her writing has been welcomed on the Basha Uhuru Freedom Fest stage. The 21-year-old poet has gone from performing at Something’s Cooking By J- owned by J’Something, to her first-ever introduction to poetry in Johannesburg being the Word N Sound Poetry stage at the age of 17. Many of these building blocks were initiated by the City of Joburg.
Her journey beginning with the Current State Of Poetry – CSP helped in guiding her technique as the writer transitioned from teenager to woman. Belita has been honoured as part of the 5th international women’s writing symposium and The African Literary Heroes celebrated at Soweto Theatre where her poems drew an opening for some of Africa’s Literary Legends. She has received immense support from Arts Alive and Joburg International Arts Festival. The artist has continued her work with The City of Joburg in reiterating the #innercity project, and through this, her work was introduced to Former Mayor Herman Mashaba.
Recently published, Colour Me Melanin is a book project in which Belita Andre participates as an author. CMM is a colouring book covering 27 African tribes. Each tribe presented with an illustration of the woman in her traditional attire, this is accompanied by a praise poem and a synopsis. She is also known for hosting her own poetry sessions and collaborating with passionate like-minded artists. Belita Andre’s most recent performance was as part of the 9th Annual Izimbongi Festival in October of 2019.