Lingua Franca poets celebrate first anniversary
On 9 November, Lingua Franca, a spoken word and music movement, celebrated their first anniversary. At a sold out show at the Baxter Theatre, more than 15 poets graced the stage to recite their work.
Siphosethu Nkohla, an audience member, said, “When I got to the venue it was so packed I couldn’t get a seat, but I refused to leave. I was outside. Their craft is enticing, and they put the challenges we face on a daily basis into perspective.”
Lingua Franca was started in 2009 by four poets: Mbongeni Nomkhonwana, Lwanda Sindaphi, Mawande “Manez” Sobethwa, and Ncedisa “Jargon” Mpenyana.
Nomkhonwanwa says, “The movement died after two gatherings, but was later resurrected by Nomkhonwana and Singaphi. Since then, the movement has grown beyond the boundaries of Delft and has surfaced in other areas like Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Mowbray, Langa, Observatory, Nyanga and Dunoon.”
Kholeka Putuma, a resident poet, says, “Being part of Lingua has given me an opportunity to share my work with other people, empower other people, and use my voice to speak up and say things that need to be said. I am proud of it and it’s growing.”
Sobethwa, who emceed the show, says, “When the movement first started we felt the need for the revival of spoken word — giving it a new look for youth, a collaboration of music and poetry, and creating a fusion that represents a new voice.”
Lingua Franca has inspired other movements, such as Radikal Xpression and Whispers of Wisdom.
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