Slam poets 
from 40 nations across five continents will arrive in Durban for the 5th World Poetry Slam Competition in October 2026.
Hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the competition will be presented during the 30th Poetry Africa Festival, which runs from 5 to 10 October 2026.
Curated under the theme "Every Word a Street, Every Voice a City," the competition and festival will celebrate urban youth spoken-word poets, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Youth Uprising and the courage of young people in shaping the nation’s future.
The festival will also honour the enduring legacy of South Africa’s Poet Laureate, Professor Mazisi Kunene, marking 20 years since his passing and recognising his immense contribution to African literature.
The Director of the Centre for Creative Arts at UKZN, Ismail Mahomed, said: “The long road leading to the main gate of UKZN is named in honour of the late Professor Mazisi Kunene. We want to celebrate how his words and legacy continue to resonate in shaping the vision of our university and the future of our city.”
For three decades, the Centre for Creative Arts has presented some of South Africa’s leading arts festivals — the Time of the Writer Festival, the JOMBA! Contemporary Dance Festival and the Durban International Film Festival — offering programmes that are inspiring, provocative and challenging.
“Our award-winning festivals are a vital part of UKZN’s knowledge economy and the city’s cultural tourism economy. They offer youth internships, create jobs for artists and benefit local hospitality, while framing themes that support nation-building and social cohesion,” added Mahomed.
Participants will also reflect on the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s Constitution, adopted in 1996, and on Section 16 — which guarantees freedom of expression and creative freedom, cornerstones of the country’s democracy.
The programme has been specially designed by curator Siphindile Hlongwa, who championed South Africa’s bid to host the World Poetry Slam Competition.
“This year’s festival will see poems map out pathways and voices build entire worlds. From the quiet backstreets of reflection to the electric avenues of protest and praise, 40 slam poets from 40 nations will let words guide us through uncharted streets of rhythm, truth and shared humanity,” explained Hlongwa.
The festival will offer a robust programme featuring workshops, seminars, book launches, panel discussions and presentations that connect poets, publishers, academics, cultural practitioners and audiences from around the world.
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