POET PROFILE: Olive Olusegun

Quaz | February 3rd, 2025 | poet profile | No Comments

Olive Olusegun is a South African resident, Kenyan-born, Nigerian and multi-disciplinary artist and the current (2024) Poetry Africa Slam Champion. Olive graduated cum laude from the University of Johannesburg School of Architecture in 2022 with a Masters’ thesis on Afromodern architecture and Afrocentric ideologies in public spaces. She is passionate about the transformation of Africa and uses powerful poetry performances to raise awareness on untold stories and continental reform. A phenomenal performer, Olive has: – Performed three consecutive times at Poetry Africa – Africa’s largest poetry festival and came first place in the 2024 Poetry Slam Finals. – Won the Word ‘n Sound Poetry League and Sign and Slam (where she performed her poem in South African Sign Language).

Image by Aphiwe Moyo

Olive was the 2024 writer in residence as part of the Quay Words Writers residency in the United Kingdom. She spent a week at Exeter Custom House, engaging in public events and collaborating with the spring Quay Words writer-in-residence, Billy Kahora on the event Exploring Heritage. From primary schools and tertiary institutions to corporate events and international conferences, Olive’s work amplifies awareness on women’s rights, educational reform and Africa’s rich culture and history. As a writer, performer, part-time lecturer and architect, her central goal is to tell stories in a manner that inspires audiences towards empathy and activating social change.

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