Wordup Sessions

18/06/2026

WORDUP BASHA: Words of Freedom

Date: Friday, 26 June
Time: 19:00 – 22:00
Venue: Constitution Hill

The line up includes Zama Madinana Mak Manaka Tshepo Molefe Modise Sekgothe Xabiso Zanabo Vili Ramatswi Solly Sive Ka Joyi Yamoria

Guiding us through the evening is the gifted Torsten Clear Rybka .

This is more than just a poetry session.
It’s a call to feel, to question and to rise.

Don’t miss it

rsvp her⏬️

WordUP Basha: Words Of Freedom As South Africa marks the 50th Anniversary of June 16, 1976, WordUP Basha: Words of Freedom brings together a generation of poets whose work embodies the spirit of youth activism, cultural resistance, and creative freedom. Curated by Sabelo Soko, this powerful gatherin...

16/06/2026

16/06/2026

28/05/2026

WordUP Sessions
29 May 2026
7 Loveday Street
Marshalltown
Jozi

WORDSMITH IS A SOUTH AFRICAN RAPPER, SONGWRITER, AND A CREATIVE VISIONARY WHOSE PEN CUTS THROUGH SILENCE WITH RAW HONESTY. BORN IN MIDDELBURG, MPUMALANGA, HE LATER RELOCATED TO QUEENSTOWN IN THE EASTERN CAPE, BEFORE MOVING TO DURBAN, AND EVENTUALLY SETTLING IN GAUTENG, WHERE HE CONTINUES TO BUILD HIS ARTISTIC LEGACY.

THIS CROSS-PROVINCIAL JOURNEY HAS SHAPED HIS PERSPECTIVE, BLENDING DIVERSE CULTURAL INFLUENCES INTO A SOUND THAT IS BOTH INTROSPECTIVE AND SOCIALLY AWARE. BEGINNING HIS ARTISTIC JOURNEY IN CHURCH, WORDSMITH FIRST WROTE GOSPEL-INSPIRED LYRICS BEFORE EVOLVING INTO A FEARLESS STORYTELLER WHO QUESTIONS SYSTEMS, CHALLENGES NORMS, AND CONFRONTS UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS.

WITH OVER 16 YEARS OF SONGWRITING EXPERIENCE, HE STANDS AS ONE OF THE MOST AUTHENTIC AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING EMERGING VOICES IN AFRICAN HIP HOP.

27/05/2026

29 May 2026
WordUP Sessions
7 Loveday Street
Marshalltown
Jozi

Kallo is a singer and songwriter from Johannesburg whose music carries the warmth and ache of lived experience. Raised in a home steeped inmelody, she began as a poet, shaping verses that would later unfold into songs—blending pop, R&B, and soul with a voice both tender and assured.

Her debut EP in 2021 introduced an artist unafraid of emotional honesty. Since then, she has continued to refine her sound, with singles like “Uzong’khumbula” earning over 55,000 streams on Spotify. “Ho monate” was featured on Hype Magazine’s Hype Sessions #84 and remains a local favorite, accompanied by a striking music video on YouTube.

In 2022, she independently organized a six-date Johannesburg tour, closing at the iconic Niki’s Oasis Jazz Restaurant—a testament to both her artistry and initiative. Among her proudest moments are her performances at the Basha Uhuru Freedom Festival in 2021 and 2022, where she shared the Nando’s Creativity Stage with
artists including Msaki.

Rooted in the classic sounds her grandmother loved—Nat King Cole and Aretha Franklin among them—and inspired today by contemporary R&B
innovators, Kallo writes with intimacy and intention, steadily shaping a career that reaches beyond her city toward a wider stage.

26/05/2026

29 May 2026
WordUP Sessions
7 Loveday Street
Marshalltown
Jozi

Simphiwe Ntuli known as Simphiwe Imbongi,a Poet by profession. born and groomed in the city of Johannesburg.a young man who believes on himself, having amazing skills when it comes to Ubuciko “Art”, motivated heart and mind.

I am a performing poet,a writer. I draw inspiration from the nature,culture and from our Roots. I am capable of turning my words into life.

Through my journey as a poet I got a chance to be part of the major events, like ISANDLWANE POETRY EVENT, WORLD OF WORDS POETRY ASSOCIATION . Just to name a few. One day my work will reach the right ears. “ till death we do art”

25/05/2026

29 May 2026
WordUP Sessions
7 Loveday Street
Marshalltown
Jozi

Poetry Album Listening
Izibongo by Nomfundo Khambule

Izibongo is a spoken word journey rooted in the rich oral traditions of Zulu and Xhosa praise poetry. More than performance, these pieces are living archives ,honouring identity, ancestry, memory and spirit. Through rhythm, storytelling and truth-telling, the album explores personal and collective experiences while preserving cultural heritage in a modern voice and sound .Each poem becomes both tribute and resistance, carrying echoes of those who came before us while speaking boldly to the present. Izibongo bridges tradition and contemporary expression, reminding us that spoken word is not only art but a vessel for history, healing and the preservation of African identity.

23/05/2026

WordUP Sessions
May edition
Curated by Tshepo Molefe

This one is a blend of poems, songs, and records.

Simphiwe Imbongi
Kallo
AP Wordsmith
Izibongo by Nomfundo Khambule: A poetry album listening session

Limited open mic slots for those who would like to share a poem, a story, a joke or a song.

Si ON!!!

📅 29 May 2026
🕖 19:00 till late
R70 at the door

24/04/2026

Mak Manaka is a South African performance poet. A force of nature erupting from Soweto's soil. Known simply as Mak, he carries forward a legacy of creative warriors - born to Nomsa and Matsemela Manaka. This heritage pulses through his work, leading South African icon Don Mattera to declare, "If genius can be genetically connected and if it flows from generation to generation, then Mak Manaka is the epitome of it." Mak's poetry refuses containment. It's more than words on a page - it's a powerful performance that ignites audiences from Soweto's streets to Spain's stages, from Cuba's heart to Germany's heights. His voice has commanded historic moments:
- The inauguration of President Thabo Mbeki
- A soul-stirring performance for Nelson Mandela
- The closing ceremony of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany
- The prestigious 18th Genoa International Poetry Festival
His journey blazes through four acclaimed collections:
- "Oncoming Traffic" (Botsotso, 2018)
- "Flowers Of A Broken Smile" (InkSword)

📅 24 April 2026
🕖 19:00 till late
📍7 Loveday Street Marshalltown Jozi

https://www.weedloversmarket.shop/event-details-registration/wordup-sessions-16

24/04/2026

I started working in the music profession professionally from the age of 14. I started off as a young BeatBoxer, competing every year in the Back To The City Festival Beatbox competition since 2011.

My experience as a BeatBoxer taught me how to become a strong performer on stage, and aided me in the pursuit of being a great vocalist. This beatboxing experience also lends itself greatly to my musical abilities.

These days, I perform professionally not just as a beatboxer, but also as a lead singer of a band. When I’m not on stage, I also teach and produce music.

📅 24 April 2026
🕖 19:00 till late
📍7 Loveday Street Marshalltown Jozi

https://www.weedloversmarket.shop/event-details-registration/wordup-sessions-16