Commonwealth Poetry Podcast Gyles Brandreth & Aphra Brandreth

In this fortnight’s episode, join Gyles and Aphra Brandreth as they discover more about Kenya and its poetry. We hear from Njeri Wangari, a Kenyan poet and author, who is living in Nairobi, and has performed her poetry globally. 
She is one of the key contributors to a recently published poetry anthology called Across Borders – An anthology of new poems from the Commonwealth. Poems this episode include: The 10th Daughter; My Country Kenya; and My People, all by Njeri Wangari; and A Freedom Song by Marjorie Oludhe-Macgoye.

In this fortnight’s episode, join Gyles and Aphra Brandreth as they find out more about Botswana and its rich poetic traditions. Speaking to Barolong Seboni, a distinguished retired academic and poet. Barolong shares his fun and insightful translations of Botswanan proverbs, offering a window into the culture and poetry of the country. Poems this episode include: Molepolole; Woman’s World; and Gabarone Mall, all by Barolong Seboni.

In this fortnight’s episode, Gyles and Aphra Brandreth meet Baroness Dambisa Moyo who shares her story growing up in Zambia. Dambisa is an economist and author who has written books, including four New York Times Bestsellers. Dambisa was named in the list of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World. Poems this episode include: Tiyenda Pamodzi popularized by Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda; and F.E.M.A.L.E. by Sampa the Great.

In this fortnight’s episode, Gyles and Aphra Brandreth meet Marion Bethel, an esteemed Bahamian poet and attorney. Bethel, renowned for her award-winning poetry collections like "Guanahani, My Love" and "Bougainvillea Ringplay," shares insights into her life, inspirations, and the vibrant cultural landscape of the Bahamas. As she delves into her poetic journey, listeners gain a deeper understanding of her contributions to gender and development in the Caribbean, highlighted by her documentary "Womanish Ways," and her role in international advocacy, serving on the UN Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Poems this episode include: Tobacco Dove; Bougainvillaea Ringplay; and We Were Terrestrial Once, Maybe, all by Marion Bethel

In this episode Gyles and Aphra Brandreth speak to Tendai Shaba, a renowned Malawian poet and activist.
Tendai shares how he has used poetry to campaign on issues including gender based violence, climate change and advocating for safe motherhood. Poems this episode include a poem in Chichewa language addressing a relationship that has ended; Oh God Bless our Land of Malawi by Michael-Fredrick Paul Sauka, adopted as the National anthem for Malawi; and I am a Strong Woman Still by Tendai Shaba from his collection A Lady in a Yellow Dress.

Inspired to be a poet since the age of six when they saw the spoken word poet Adrian Green at the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts, Cyndi wrote their first spoken word poem nine years later. Since then, Cyndi has been a three-time NIFCA award winning poet who has represented Barbados in poetry slams and festivals in Africa, Europe, and the United States. Sharing how poetry allowed them to see and understand different points of view and walks of life. Cyndi seeks to use the spoken word art form to entertain, educate, and empower their audiences. Poems this episode include: An extract from the poem To Those Who Complain About Brain Drain; and Before, both by Cyndi Celeste