BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MANZINI – As the world celebrated World Poetry Day on Friday (March 21, 2025,) War Words Poetry marked this special occasion with a captivating one-hour live online poetry show featuring an exclusive audience.
The poetry day was held at the Music Lounge in Manzini. Recognized globally and sanctioned by UNESCO, this year’s theme was “Peace and Inclusion,” emphasizing poetry’s role as a bridge for fostering mutual respect and unity across diverse communities, cultures, and countries.
War Words Poetry invited an impressive line-up of poets to celebrate this day, including multi-award-winning artists Christian Maz, Poet Amandla, Lizwe Umlangeni, Thethe, and Anthonimass. The show also showcased emerging talents such as TeeM, Cebza, and Umshumayeli. The event was hosted by Anthonimass Mabaso, who kept both the live and online audiences entertained. He performed his recently released poem, “Inchazelo Yelutsandvo Nguw.”
Mabaso expressed gratitude for War Words Poetry’s efforts to elevate the poetry industry through initiatives like the War Words Poetry Show, which creates significant platforms for poets to shine. He thanked the country’s poetry lovers for their ongoing support and urged for continued backing to help the industry flourish. He also hinted that the next edition of War Words is just around the corner.
To kick off the show, Thethe took the stage, sharing several of his poems. During a brief interview, he highlighted the importance of how poets should conduct themselves and approach their craft. Next up was Christian Maz, who delivered a powerful set focused on the importance of daily writing to hone one’s talent, engaging the audience throughout his performance.
Poet Amandla shared insights about his writing style, revealing that he draws inspiration from his dreams, translating them into poetry. The show concluded with Lizwe Umlangeni, whose artistic performance captivated the audience’s undivided attention. He kept both the live and online viewers engaged with his dynamic presentation. In a short interview, Umlangeni hinted at upcoming releases that he believes will leave a lasting impact on the country.
This live celebration was proudly brought to you by War Words Poetry in partnership with The Music Lounge, Madrumz Visual, and The OGF Movement.
Stay tuned for future events that promise to continue uplifting the poetry community!
