Poet Profile: Mandi Vundla

Quaz | December 20th, 2017 | poet profile | No Comments

Mandi Vundla is a Soweto born writer with a bloodline that runs through KZN. The Co-editor of ‘Home Is Where The Mic Is’: an international poetry anthology of performance poets reshaping the face of poetry post-1994. The undefeated two time Word N Sound poetry slam champ has been working actively in the Poetry Scene for past 7 years.

Her writing is centered on her experiences as a black woman born and raised in South Africa. She continues to travel the world, sharing her work and exploring the impact the ancient oral art has in shaping young developing voices. The social entrepreneur also
works as a creative writing facilitator, utilizing spoken word as a fundamental tool to engage schools in marginalized communities. She is the founder of the ‘Soweto Poetry Workshops’ built on the historical legacy of ‘literature in the township’ and lends voice to aspiring writers residing in the area.

Career Highlights
Vundla has shared her work at TEDX Johannesburg and she co-hosted TEDX Soweto

  • Headlined Festivals:
    Poetry Africa International (DBN)
    Harare International Poetry Festival (Zim)
    Lagos International Poetry Festival (Nig)
    Arts Alive- Speak The Mind (JHB),
    Word N Sound International Festival (JHB)
    Opened for the South African Pavilion – Venice Biennale (Italy)
  • She’s shared stages with highly acclaimed writers both locally and internationally and has performed on local radio and television.
  • She formed part of The Next Generation Speaks project, returning from the U.S as poet mentor with two junior poets, who showcased their work at the Brave New Voices Youth Slam Finale’ in San Francisco 2017.
  • The spoken word artist also co-curated the long-standing Poetry Africa International festival 2017 (DBN).

 

 

Publishing History
12+One (Botsotso)
Home Is Where The Mic is (Botsotso)
Art For Humanity (DUT Art for Humanity)
Illuminations Magazine
True Love Magazine (Dedicating poems to S.A)

 

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