According to the South African Cultural Observatory, there are more men employed in art/cultural occupations (57.3%) in comparison to women who constitute 42.7%. This trend is very similar to the gender distribution in non-cultural occupations. Considering that the female population in South Africa is significantly larger than the male population, this gap in occupation may be a cause for concern in our foreseeable future in the arts and culture sector of South Africa.
The ‘Poetry Meets Comedy Women’s Festival’ by Pietermaritzburg-based artist, Nkosingiphile Mkize is a project aimed at providing capacity-building workshops for female comedians to equip them with skills and information to fuel their growth and recognition in the sector. The project has exposed female artists to opportunities that they use to generate income through their craft and also provides them with a platform to expose and showcase their talent through the Poetry and Comedy Women Festival.
The project implementation began with auditions for female comedians and poets, held in Newcastle with a total of 65 artists participating in these auditions. A second round of auditions was held in Pietermaritzburg with a total of 20 female artist participants. 15 female poets and 5 female comedians were then selected to partake in a training workshop aimed at developing the skills of the artists. The ‘Poetry Meets Comedy Women’s Festival’ took place in September 2023 at the Stable Theatre in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal.
The lead applicant and NAC beneficiary, Nkosingiphile Mkize writes, “The Poetry Meets Comedy Women Festival team worked tirelessly towards the planning of the festival, preparing poets and comedians for their performances, soliciting relevant services providers, planning the logistics, engaging with different stakeholders, and keeping consistent communication with the poetry and comedy audience and regularly updating our social media pages and responding to inquiries. The level of professionalism displayed by all parties was outstanding, making the entire festival an unforgettable experience for all those who participated. The branding was flawless, as were the stage management, sound production and performances. Overall, the festival was a success. The event was attended by 200 people which is the full venue capacity.”
With the collaborative efforts of the National Arts Council through its Presidential Employment Stimulus Programme, the ‘Poetry Meets Comedy Women Festival’ has made a great impact in supporting female artists in South Africa who form part of the arts sector’s vulnerable and marginalised groups. The project has also made an impact in the arts sector of South Africa by preserving and promoting the art forms that are not prioritised within the sector (poetry and stand-up comedy), increasing the opportunities and platforms for the artists within those art forms.