The North-West University’s (NWU's) Creative Writing subject group in the School of Languages recently hosted its very first BUA! Poetry Slam at the NWU Gallery on the Potchefstroom Campus.

More than 100 students showed up to the first of three events across campuses before the intercampus final. The second preliminary, scheduled for 3 May 2023, will be held on the Vanderbijlpark Campus, and the third one will be held in August on the Mahikeng Campus.

The winners from each campus will then take part in the final poetry slam at the end of the year.

A poetry slam is a competitive event where poets perform their work in front of a live audience and are judged by a panel of judges. Poetry slams are popular around the world as a platform for poets to share their work and gain recognition and experience.

“The BUA! Poetry Slam is a wonderful way for NWU students to come together and celebrate the art of poetry in a multilingual environment. It offers them a chance to express themselves creatively in a language of their choice and connect with other students who share their passion for poetry,” says Prof Herculene Kotzé, deputy director of the School of Languages.

“It was a truly memorable and inspiring evening, with 18 poets competing in three rounds,” she adds.

The judges for the night were Dr Tebogo Maahlamela, Jolyn Phillips and Mandi Vundla. The winners from the first preliminary are:

1st place: Anga Nkhwashu

2nd place: Alenoy Molefe

3rd place: Refiloe Bophelo Motloung

These students will represent the Potchefstroom Campus in the end of the year's final poetry slam. Please follow @buapoetry on Instagram and Facebook to stay up to date with these events.

 From left are Dr Pieter Odendaal, organiser, judges Jolyn Phillips and Mandi Vundla, Anga Nkhwashu, winner, Refiloe Motloung, second runner-up, Alenoy Molefe, first runner-up, judge Dr Tebogo Maahlamela, and Atang Swartbooi, the MC.