In just a year the Word N Sound monthly poetry shows have made their mark on the Joburg spoken word scene. To mark this achievement and their first anniversary and to celebrate fans’ support, the organisers aim to go big with the movement.
Enter the Word N Sound Poetry and Live Music Festival taking place on Saturday at the University of Joburg. The headline acts are the cream of the poetry and music crop, such as Tu Nokwe, AE Ballakisten, Phillippa Yaa de Villiers, The Fridge, Kabomo, Mak Manaka, Myesha Jenkins, Natalia Molebatsi, Antonio Lyons and the collectives Liquid Tongue, MissinGap and Tower of Thought.
But it’s the inclusion of Kgafela oa Magogodi (pictured left) that makes the festival extra special. Magogodi has been quiet for a while, and his fearless combat poetry questioning the status quo has been missed. But he has been involved in many other projects in other parts of the country.
He is one of the organisers of the Night of the Poets bi-monthly poetry and music sessions at the State Theatre that have given Pretoria a bigger spoken word platform. And he’s been doing poetry and theatre work in Mahikeng and other towns.
Magogodi used to teach at Wits University, where he worked with students on a number of provocative productions.
“I’ve missed the Jozi scene and its vibrant people,” he says.
“But it was good to step out of Jozi for a while. Mahikeng has been good to me. Who knows, maybe it has to do with the spirit of the rocks. Artists have been generous and the interactions have been life-giving.
“I was welcomed to the arts scene by a campus-based group of writers, 5th Groove, a crew of spoken word artists, musicians and such. The hip-hoppers also have an exciting and large event called Legaga la Mafoko, where I heard interesting and provocative voices.
“The whole campus scene reminds me of what Jozi has lost, when the underground was dread, red and raw… when Jungle Connection and Horror Cafe were still breathing.
“Outside Mahikeng, I have also been doing work on stages around the world. It was great being part of Bare ne re, an inaugural literary festival in Maseru, Lesotho. There’s also some stage work in Dakar, Barcelona and Berlin.”
And the work won’t stop: Magogodi is making a documentary about the art of the spoken word, a scholarly project spliced with performances. There’s also Traaibek, a spoken word theatre piece he recently directed with a cast of students at the University of the North West. Because of demand, they are back in rehearsals in January. There are also plans to travel with the work.
“Traaibek was for me a great directorial experience. The cast is composed of members from 5th Groove. It’s a refreshing experience working with this crew. They are hungry for the stage. It was performed in the open air at night, with theatre lights and sound.
“I am experimenting with open air theatre as part of an idea about free art. We are trying to shift away from the tendency to sanctify buildings or so-called professional theatre stages. Artists don’t need to beg for space. Art primarily walks with artists and they can take it anywhere if they are serious about being heard. Those who control budgets don’t have control over your art.”
It’s this rebellious tone that gets Magogodi into trouble with authorities. He’s like the Spike Lee of the stage, a provocateur of the arts.
He’s appearing at the Word N Sound festival with his new band, Marabele, Setswana for “rebels”. He says they are striving for a sonic revolution. It is a continuation of previous spoken word projects like Bua Fela, the album.
Juxtaposed with experienced voices like Magogodi are youngsters like Mutle Mothibe, who are determined to make a career in poetry and to expand the genre. Known for incorporating drama and multimedia into his recitals, Mothibe has also produced a number of spoken word albums which he sells at shows or through social media. And his market is wide.
“I’ve had older people in their late forties to high school kids say they were affected by my work. I believe poetry is still not taken seriously, but I’m determined to make a career out of it and to be solely a performance artist.”
Mothibe is part of the Word N Sound Open Mic Challenge Finals, along with four other young talents, and he’s presenting his one-man show, Mutle’s Propbox: Rehashed and Rehearsed at the Bassline on December 4 from 3pm to 4pm.
With this wave of young poets comes vibrancy instead of the conformity of eight years ago, when people felt that, to be regarded as conscious poets, they needed to wear turbans or Steve Biko T-shirts. Now the entertainment value is as important as the content. There’s hope for poetry yet.
lThe festival takes place at the University of Joburg, Amphitheatre, Bunting Road Campus, Auckland Park, on November 26 . Tickets cost R100, or R70 for students at the door. The event is from 11am to 11pm.