Resistance & Resilience Black (Queer) Women's Voices in African Poetry

Poetry , performances, & conversation on rising Black (queer) women’s voices in South African Poetry, celebration of the ACSL Thesis prize
About this Event

Warp and Weft: Black Women’s Voices in (South) African Poetry

Join us for an evening of poetry performances, conversation and research, celebrating the work of the 2025 Africa Thesis Award winner Yonwaba Mathshobotiyana!

Yonwaba won the Africa Thesis Award of the African Studies Centre, Leiden University, for her Master’s Thesis on the resurgence of Black women’s poetry, written at the University of the Free State, South Africa.

This evening we will discuss how Black women poets have established their voice and visibility within a literary canon that has historically devalued the contributions of Black women. What strategies of resistance and resilience have lead to their resurgence – not only in South Africa, but also in other African countries, and the wider world?

With:

Julia-Beth Harris, poet-storyteller

Twasiima Bigirwa, poet and visiting fellow African Studies Centre Leiden

Yonwaba Mathshobotiyana, winner Africa Thesis Award

· Poetry readings and performances

· Conversation with and between poets

· Presentation by Yonwaba Mathshobotiyana about her thesis

· Reading of the jury report and handing of the award to Yonwaba Mathshobotiyana

This evening is a collaborative venture between the African Studies Centre Leiden, ZAM Magazine, and Zuid-Afrika Huis.

Practical information

Date: Tuesday 24 November

Start: 19.30
Walk-in at 19.00, small exhibition of poetry works

Drinks 21:00

Venue: ZAM Magazine, Tussen de Bogen 66, Amsterdam

Free entrance

Registration required