The Speak The Mind Poetry and Music Fest has assembled an attractive line up of African critical thinkers and performers to mark its 10th anniversary.
For this special edition, a dialogue session with the poets will precede the main performances as a new feature and curtain raiser. This will dissect topical issues ranging from #BlackLivesMatter; white privilege, black rage to corruption as a mandate of Speak The Mind to encourage debate.

Sunday Times journalist and author, Mzilikazi Wa Afrika, as part of the panel, will read from his book, Nothing Left To Steal and SAFM’s Khanyi Magubane will facilitate the discussion.

For the main show, the performance roster boasts big names and important voices.

International headliner, Black Ice, real name, Lamar Manson, from the United States, is considered a legend in the performance poetry and spoken word game. An Emmy, Peabody and Tony award-winning, original Def Poetry Jam cast member, Black Ice had a big hand in taking poetry out of the coffee shops and turning it into a mainstream art form.

With his socially and politically charged content, he is fearless with his vocabulary, but his words always sting with the truth. Although he now enjoys mainstream acclaim with collaborations with hip hop stars like Nas, The Roots and Kendrick Lamar, Black Ice’s passion remains the upliftment of communities, with special attention to the youth.

Also at the event is Professor Pitika Ntuli, an iconic academic, poet and sculptor. Educated in South Africa, Swaziland, the US and the United Kingdom, he is widely published and well versed in theories of art and culture. As a political and cultural commentator, he brings a wealth of wisdom in African indigenous knowledge systems.

Kabomo, who’s captured the public’s adoration with his prolific music, is a writer at his core. His early days were characterised by his intellectual and emotive spoken word at venues such as the old Horror Café which may evoke nostalgia for some. Kabomo went on to co-create with six other poets a ground breaking poetry theatre piece called, Seven – The Streets Have Lips in 2004. In addition to his new album, Sekusile, he’s now working on a new anthology.

He and Nomsa Mazwai encapsulate the essence of the Speak The Mind Festival, which brings together music and poetry.

Mazwai, aka, Nomisupasta comes from a family of writers, poets and musicians. She takes from her lineage as a formidable poet-singer songwriter, a socio-economic activist and an author (with her book Sai-Sai Little Girl). Her SAMA winning self-entitled debut album contains hard hitting poems like Globalization and Ebony and Ivory which question the status quo.

Kyle Louw is a fast rising poet and he definitely has Cape Town’s respect with three Slam Championship titles. He brings his blend of performance poetry to Jozi which he says is “inspired by everyday conversations.”

For a dash of soul and spiritual elevation, the “Liberated Afro Retro” and SAMA winning band, The Muffinz team up with legendary maskandi and folk guitarist, Madala Kunene for an inspired performance. This entrenches Speak The Mind’s vision to nurture an environment for fluid cross generational collaboration.

The line-up is rounded up by the inclusion of poets from our neighbouring countries in the SADC region. Leshie Lovesong is a poet and singer-songwriter whose performance career began in 2007 with the ExodusLivePoetry, a pioneering poetry movement in Botswana. Her repertoire now sees her expanding poetry into music and theatre, exploring love and her cause as a social and environmental activist.

Charity Hutete from Zimbabwe got the nick name, aCurious poet, from the rich allegories interrogating vast social realities in her poetry. Her work is layered, culturally dense, thought provoking and rhythmic.

Bringing in a local hip hop nuance is poet/emcee, Qhibo Intalektual, notably one of the most popular rappers from Swaziland. His songs reflect honest social commentary delivered through story-telling, skillful wordplay and well-thought out concepts.

Beat poet-rapper, producer and former Kwani Experience front-man, PO will be hosting the event. Filling in change over gaps and closing off the night’s performances will be local DJ, BlaQt.

The Speak The Mind Poetry and Music Festival will take place at the Bassline (10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown) on September 19. Tickets cost R100 at Computicket and R150 at the door. Doors open at 4 pm. For more information visit: www.speakthemind.co.za