POECOMSTO Celebrates Global Poetry and Homegrown Talent

World Poetry Slam Championship brings international voices to South Africa as Solly “Soetry” Ramatswi prepares to represent the country in Japan in 2027.

Durban has taken its place on the international spoken-word stage, bringing together poets from across five continents for the 5th World Poetry Slam Championship alongside the 30th edition of Poetry Africa. The landmark gathering has showcased the power of poetry to connect cultures, amplify diverse voices and create opportunities for South African talent to engage with the world.

The Poetry, Comedy and Storytelling Council (PoeComSto) welcomes the successful conclusion of the global poetry gathering as an important moment for South Africa’s cultural and creative industries, highlighting the country’s capacity to host international artistic platforms while celebrating the strength of its homegrown talent.

A significant highlight for South Africa was the crowning of Limpopo-born poet Solly “Soetry” Ramatswi as National Slam Champion at the Poetry Africa National Slam Jam on 6 October. His winning performance, Born Free, earned him national recognition and the opportunity to represent South Africa at the 6th World Poetry Slam Championship in Japan in 2027.

PoeComSto congratulates Ramatswi on his achievement, which reflects the depth of South Africa’s spoken-word talent and the role of poetry in giving expression to the country’s experiences, aspirations and evolving identity.

“Solly Malapile Ramatswi’s victory is a moment of immense pride for the Limpopo poetry community and the South African spoken-word fraternity at large. His achievement is a powerful testament to the transformative power of poetry as a vehicle for storytelling, cultural preservation and social commentary. As a poet of the post-1994 generation, his work embodies the evolving voice of a democratic South Africa, one that interrogates our social realities, honours our cultural lineage and connects audiences across generations, languages and diverse backgrounds.

As he prepares to represent South Africa on the international stage in Japan in 2027, we ululate in celebration, not only of his individual triumph but also of the extraordinary talent emerging from our communities as we build an industry. His victory reminds us that our stories are worthy of global stages and that South African poetry continues to be a powerful cultural export.”MoAfrika wa Mokgathi, Chairperson of the Board

Durban puts South African poetry in the global spotlight

With competitors from 40 countries, the World Poetry Slam Championship transformed Durban into a meeting point for international spoken-word artists, bringing together diverse languages, perspectives and storytelling traditions. The semi-finals narrowed the field to 10 finalists representing Japan, Ghana, Kenya, Puerto Rico, Canada, Switzerland, Mexico, South Africa, Burkina Faso and New Zealand ahead of the global finals on 9 October.

The championship and Poetry Africa festival created a platform for cultural exchange, artistic expression and engagement between local and international creative communities. Their convergence also drew attention to the potential of major cultural events to strengthen Durban’s profile as a destination for literary and creative experiences.

For PoeComSto, the significance of the gathering extends beyond the competition itself. It demonstrates how poetry and storytelling can transcend borders, encourage dialogue and bring communities together through shared human experiences.

“The coming together of poets from across the world in Durban has reinforced the value of creating platforms where artists can share their experiences, learn from one another and reach new audiences. These platforms are important not only for artistic development, but also for building connections that can open doors for South African creatives,” says PoeComSto.

Building recognition for the creative economy

The 2026 Poetry Africa festival, presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, was themed “Every Word a Street, Every Voice a City.” The programme explored freedom of expression, identity, memory and the role of creative voices in society.

The international gathering has provided a valuable opportunity to showcase the contribution of spoken word to South Africa’s broader cultural landscape while highlighting the importance of sustained investment in platforms that connect artists, audiences and industry stakeholders.

PoeComSto continues to advocate for the recognition and development of poetry, comedy and storytelling as interconnected disciplines within the creative economy. The council believes that strengthening these art forms can support greater visibility for practitioners, expand opportunities for collaboration and contribute to a more inclusive and sustainable creative sector.

As the international poetry community moves beyond Durban, the spotlight remains on the artists whose work continues to shape conversations, inspire audiences and carry local stories onto global stages. For South Africa, Ramatswi’s national title and forthcoming international representation offer another opportunity to showcase the country’s spoken-word talent to the world.

Nono Matuwane

Soweto Sunrise News