POET, musician and artistic bead-maker Ntsiki Mazwai is breaking new ground with her latest concept, Mama Said Sessions, which involve open discussions headlined by young and mature celebrities.

Mazwai established the monthly forums three months ago and is overwhelmed by the positive public response.

Mama Said Sessions are staged on the last Sunday of each month at the ProMusica Theatre in Florida, where the public get a platform to interact with young and mature actors, dancers, poets and musicians.

The latest session was staged at the weekend, with dancers and choreographers Nomsa Manaka and Khabonina Qubeka sharing their experiences with the public.

"The response was great," Mazwai said. "For next time I want to see the whole theatre full. But I love how things are going."

She kick-started the show with her singer sister Thandiswa and veteran songbird Dorothy Masuka in March. Last month actresses Renate Stuurman and Lilian Dube were the second guests at the Mama Said Sessions.

"I sat down and realised the media was not doing enough to give exposure to the experiences and lives of artists, except focusing on negative things.

"These sessions give consumers a chance to interact with and understand the lives of artists. I want the audience and artists to engage on real issues affecting the industry."

Mazwai, who in 2010 released Wena, now a popular anthology, has taken poetry to another level.

Fusing house music with poetry has worked for her.

"Like all people I wanted to make a living out of poetry," Mazwai said.