SAT 23.5.2009 16:40-17:00, Mekong Stage, Railway Square, Vonani Bila: Poems

SAT 23.5.2009 18:20-18:40, Amazon Stage, Railway Square, African Poems: Shailja Patel and Vonani Bila

SUN 24.5.2009 13:40-14:00, Amazon Stage, Railway Square, Shailja Patel and Vonani Bila interviewed by Mohammed Umar (NGR/GBR)

Vonani Bila is the founder and director of the Timbila Poetry Project. He is also a reputable performer and writer. Bila has written his works in both English and Xitsonga. He has performed extensively in South Africa and Europe. Bila is a key figure in the conservation and development of native languages in the Limpopo province. As an important social activist, Bila has led Limpopo's NGO coalition, campaigned for services in the province's poverty-stricken areas, as well as worked in HIV-AIDS education and community media.

Bila has written eight collections of short stories. His poetry books include No Free Sleeping, of which he is one of the two writers, as well as Throbbing Ink In the Name of Amandla and Magicstan Fires. Handsome Jita is a collection of selected poems published in 2007.

His poetry portrays everyday experiences of people suffering from poverty, class differences and the failure of South Africa's leaders to realize the goals of the country's long fight for freedom. Bila's roots also extend to the traditions of indigenous African peoples, their wisdom and values. Bila is a poetic voice of the nation, and an irreplaceable commentator and interpreter of post-liberation South Africa.