The North-West University (NWU) celebrated the richness of language, creativity and literary expression with the launch of the second edition of BUA! Poetry on 22 October 2026 at the Conservatorium in Potchefstroom.
The publication is a vibrant multilingual collection bringing together diverse poetic voices from across the university community.
Edited by Jahrose Jafta, the second edition marks another milestone in creating a platform where students, academics and staff can express their experiences, identities, cultures and perspectives through poetry.
Growing from an earlier call for creative participation into a substantial collection of literary works, BUA! Poetry brings together writers from different backgrounds, disciplines and language communities. The collection celebrates multilingualism and recognises poetry as a powerful medium for storytelling, cultural preservation, reflection and social commentary.
Among the contributors are students from the Mahikeng Campus, whose participation demonstrates the wealth of creative talent in the university community. One of the contributors, Bokamoso Nkunyane, a student poet and published author, submitted two poems, Ke Motswana and Le bo mang?, exploring questions of identity and belonging.
Motshwane Gabaikanngwe, a Setswana poet, contributed three poems: Batswana, Lucas Manyane Mangope and North-West University, reflecting on cultural identity, leadership and the university experience.
Mandy Mphela contributed two poems, Nongtšhiwa and Sebatakgomo, while Boipelo Sebonego submitted three works: Aforika Borwa, Dikhuduego tsa 1976 and Thuto.
The collection also features contributions from Onkarabile Kate Petrus, who submitted The cry of a little girl and The Africa I remember, exploring themes of childhood, memory and the African experience.
Mofokeng Maxwell contributed three poems, namely Seilatsatsi, Ke phoqehile and Pelo ere, while Gontse Bridgett Baloyi added two works, A journey and I see you.
Onkarabile Makolomakwa also made a contribution with two poems, Dikeledi and Bofitlha, further enriching the diversity of voices and literary expression of the collection.
The participation of these Mahikeng Campus students highlights the importance of creating opportunities for emerging writers to share their work, develop their literary identities and contribute to the preservation and promotion of indigenous languages.
Beyond celebrating individual creativity, BUA! Poetry reinforces the commitment of the NWU to embracing linguistic diversity and recognising the role of indigenous languages in knowledge production, cultural expression and community engagement.
The second edition is more than a collection of poems; it is a reflection of the diverse community of the university, where different languages and lived experiences find a common platform through literature.
Through initiatives such as BUA! Poetry, the NWU continues to nurture a culture of reading, writing and creative expression, ensuring that the voices of its students and staff are not only heard but also preserved for future generations.
The second edition of BUA! Poetry was launched on 22 October 2026 at the NWU Conservatorium in Potchefstroom.
