Friday 18 June 6;30 pm - 7:30 pm

We are thrilled to present Emmah and Nomakhwezi to audiences from both hemispheres in this second online event from the Quay Words and Poetry Africa partnership.  This event will be live-streamed from 6.30 – 7.30 pm UK time. Save your seat today. 

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About the writers

What started in 2009, as a mere stress reliever has helped Emmah Mabye become a poetry firebrand.  Emmah has had the great privilege of taking her works to international poetry festivals, schools, corporates, churches, national radio, national TV, Poetry Africa Festival and even performing at the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) 2016 National Conference.  

In her debut poetry collection, Clocking In, Emmah journeys into man as a tripartite being – thus clocking into one’s spirit, soul and body – and doing so with her through poetry. Thus far, the collection has been well received not only in South Africa but also in Sweden, Belgium, Zambia, Kenya and Canada; scooping an award at the first AfriCAN Authors Awards in 2018. 

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa to a German – South African artist couple, Nomakhwezi Becker was raised with a love and great respect for all kinds of artforms. Having taking her first steps on stage, she likes to believe she was giving everyone a sign that this would be her home. She is a performer, writer, poet, arts administrator and theatre workshop facilitator who has a great appreciation for gaining knowledge, through all kinds of research. She has performed her poetry locally as well as on international platforms such as Poetry Africa, Funda Fest in Rhode Island and MODHAFEST.  

Becker’s work often focuses on claiming the in-between space as a mixed race and transnational woman who has grown up between Europe and South Africa. “I feel that a claiming of this experience needs to be expressed more in the artistic world as there is a lack of representation of people who have been raised to acknowledge their many selves, histories, languages and cultures. We are the proof that colour lines and all other kinds of binaries are constructs and are a celebration of difference and similarity rather than the discomfort of it. We are also proof that all narratives matter, make up who we are and must continue to be told boldly and reimagined each time.” – Nomakhwezi Becker.