Patience Bambalele

Patience Bambalele

In trying to promote poetry and keep it alive, Edutainment Poetry Slam Jam takes place at Kippies Jazz International, Newtown, Johannesburg on October 5.

Having given young poets hope, the event is testimony to the fact that poetry will continue despite the odds.

Organised by Sound of Edutainment, it is a mix of live performances by established artists, a poetry slam competition that includes up-and-coming poets and also an open-mike session.

Rapper, producer and songwriter Junior Sokhela, pictured, of Boom Shaka fame will spin the disks.

The line-up features veteran poet Sol Rachilo, Vonani Bila, Cohan Shaul, Refilwe Rankoko, Ponkisto, Sista Bongi, Sparks and Khumo Tsa Matlapeng.

The slam poetry competition has six up-and-coming poets from outside South Africa over three rounds.

The audience will be the judges. Tables are selected and given one-to-five scorecards to score performers.

The slam consists of an introduction poem, a theme poem and a round in which poets have to write a poem from a topic given by the audience. It starts at 2pm and R30 will get you in.