BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MANZINI– The first edition of Poetry in Comfort, held on Saturday at Millennium Park in Manzini, was a huge success.
The talented and seasoned poet Festival B performed with a live band, both acoustic and acapella, confirmed by the event director, Sinokuhle Simelane.
The Poetry in Comfort show was presented by Jonokuhle Upholstery, renowned for its exquisite and luxurious seating offerings.
When asked for comments, Simelane shared with this publication that the show was a huge success. “The event exceeded our expectations as people attended in numbers.”
He added that people love the live band and the fusion of poetry and music, which made this show unique. He also revealed that people had already started enquiring about the next edition.
“We presented the art space with a luxurious Poetry In Comfort outdoor concept. It is a self-explanatory idea—we wanted to provide an exclusive experience for poetry lovers and art enthusiasts, creating lasting memories rather than just an ordinary event,” Simelane stated in an exclusive interview.
Attendees were treated to comfortable seating, as Jonokuhle Upholstery ensured that everyone felt like a VIP, lounging on beautifully crafted sofas that reflected the elegance of the occasion. The theme of the event was, “Let’s Meet over Brunch in Poetry and In Style,” encapsulating the luxurious experience that the organisers aimed to provide.
The event was structured around two distinct segments, each designed to highlight different aspects of poetry and performance. The first segment, ‘Talent Search/Talent Appreciation,’ is fascinating for young, undiscovered poets. This segment provided a platform for these emerging talents to showcase their abilities on a grand stage. Simelane emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “We believe that this will change the poetry industry. We are giving amazing undiscovered talent a stage to showcase their work to the world.”
The event also featured a poetry show, with Festival B headlining, MoCats, Fakazi Samuel, Poetess Landa, Isabee, and Blessing Dludlu supporting acts. Including a live band was a noteworthy aspect that set this event apart from traditional poetry showcases. “We wanted to give the audience an authentic experience,” Simelane remarked. “Art in its different forms can complement each other beautifully—imagine a poet reciting alongside a pianist, guitarist, bassist, or saxophonist, all on one stage.”
Festival B’s choice as the headliner was met with enthusiasm from the organisers. Simelane expressed the profound impact of Festival B’s poetry on audiences, saying, “Words would fail us in describing our choice of Festival B. His passion for poetry sets him apart as a maestro of words.”
