Ntsiki Mazwai is one of the headlining acts this Saturday
Among the many events celebrating women this month is the Sibikwa Art Centre’s Seriti sa Basadi (Dignity of Women) Festival, which kicks off with a poetry event on August 6 at The Bassline in Newtown.
Headliners for the day-long event will feature spoken word poets Natalia Molebatsi, Ntsiki Mazwai, Ameera Patel, Linda Gabriel and Phillippa Yaa de Villiers.
Festival manager Tonderai Chiyindiko says choosing performers was a “difficult choice” because of budget and time constraints, as well as the wide pool of talented poets available.
“We’re not saying these are the best poets, but they are among the best poets,” he added.
This celebration of womanhood offers up-and-coming poets a platform to showcase their untapped talent and be mentored by more established poets. It will cost R5 for participants to “buy a mic” and recite their poetry for three minutes.
The event organisers promise a “wild, contagious forum for like-minded folk of varying ages to exchange ideas and energies”.
There is no particular topic or theme, but performers are expected to interpret their understanding of Seriti sa Basadi and showcase it in their unique styles, says Chiyindiko.
The other leg of the festival is the Women in Dance and Music carnival happening at Liverpool Park in Benoni on August 14.
Various music and community dance groups will be performing during the day and later in the afternoon; Ladies in Jazz will perform at the Sibikwa Theatre. They will be joined by two giant female puppets – courtesy of The Giant Match.
Ladies will also be treated to reasonably priced massages on the day. “Any massage that can be done in public will be on offer,” says Chiyindiko jokingly.
Fans can look forward to a guest appearance by Lira. The Feel Good songstress will be taking pictures with her fans and signing autographs.
