Event
Resistance and resilience: Black (Queer) Women’s Voices in Poetry
About
An evening of poetry performances, conversation and research on Black women's voices in (South) African poetry, celebrating Yonwaba Mathshobotiyana, winner of the 2025 Africa Thesis Award. At ZAM Studio, Amsterdam, on Tuesday 24 November; free entrance, registration required.
What to expect
The evening brings poetry readings and performances together with conversation and research on Black women's poetry.
The discussion asks how Black women poets found voice and visibility in a canon that long devalued them, in South Africa and beyond.
- Poetry readings and performances
- Conversation with and between poets
- Yonwaba Mathshobotiyana presents her thesis
- Jury report read, award handed over
- Small poetry exhibition from 19:00
- With Julia-Beth Harris and Twasiima Bigirwa
Dates
Questions
When does Resistance and resilience: Black (Queer) Women’s Voices in Poetry start and end?
Resistance and resilience: Black (Queer) Women’s Voices in Poetry runs Tuesday, 24 November 2026, 19:00 until 22:00.
Where is Resistance and resilience: Black (Queer) Women’s Voices in Poetry?
Resistance and resilience: Black (Queer) Women’s Voices in Poetry takes place at ZAM Studio, Tussen de Bogen 66, 1013 Amsterdam, Amsterdam.
How much are tickets for Resistance and resilience: Black (Queer) Women’s Voices in Poetry?
Resistance and resilience: Black (Queer) Women’s Voices in Poetry is free to enter.
Do I need to register?
Yes, registration is required. Entrance is free.
Register here: eventbrite.nl
What is Yonwaba Mathshobotiyana's thesis about?
Her Master's Thesis looks at the resurgence of Black women's poetry.
She wrote it at the University of the Free State, South Africa
It won the 2025 Africa Thesis Award of the African Studies Centre, Leiden University
She presents it this evening
What happens during the evening?
Poetry readings and performances
Conversation with and between the poets
Presentation by Yonwaba Mathshobotiyana on her thesis
Reading of the jury report and handing of the award
Small exhibition of poetry works at walk-in
Organised with the African Studies Centre Leiden, ZAM Magazine and Zuid-Afrika Huis
Amsterdam
Getting there
ZAM Studio, Tussen de Bogen 66, 1013 Amsterdam, 1013 JB Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, NL
Open in Maps (opens in a new window)
