Umkomaas poet to represent SA

Two poets have been selected to take part in an international poetry initiative celebrating the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in the UK.

Ekta Somera of Umkomaas and Fikile Simelane will represent Durban Unesco City of Literature as part of the Poetry Scrum, a global video poetry project hosted by Exeter Unesco City of Literature.

The project features 15 women poets from Unesco Cities of Literature around the world, each contributing a 15-line poem inspired by themes of female empowerment, sport and movement.

Their work will be showcased on social media throughout August and September and played during the Rugby World Cup tournament, bringing a powerful literary voice to one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

Somera is a youth activist, author and the founder of Paper Trail Literary Journal.

Her poetry collections: Made in Poetry, Twenty Two and Social Misfit explore personal growth and social commentary.

She is passionate about encouraging young people to embrace authenticity and pursue careers in literature and publishing.

Simelane is an author, businesswoman, facilitator and speaker who focuses on empowerment, education and mental health awareness. She has published three books: I Lived by Not Living, Healing the Wounds, and 28 Days: Love Has No Colour.

She uses her platform to inspire resilience and growth through storytelling and dialogue.

The Poetry Scrum celebrates the creative energy of women from across the globe while highlighting the shared values of strength, resilience and teamwork that exist in both literature and sport.

Through this international collaboration, Durban’s literary talent will reach audiences far beyond South Africa.

As the countdown to the Women’s Rugby World Cup begins, Somera and Simelane’s voices will be part of a global conversation that uplifts women’s stories and showcases the rich creative talent of Durban.

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