Commonwealth Poetry Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Next stop Kenya with poet and author Njeri Wangari Apr 28, 2024

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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.

Next stop Botswana with Barolong Seboni Apr 14, 2024

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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.

Next Stop Zambia with Dambisa Moyo Mar 31, 2024

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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.

Next stop The Bahamas with Marion Bethel Mar 17, 2024

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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

Exploring Malawi with poet and activist Tendai Shaba Mar 03, 2024

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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.

Next stop Barbados with spoken word poet Cyndi Celeste Feb 18, 2024

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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

Next Stop Namibia with activist-poet Keamogetsi Joseph Molapong Feb 04, 2024

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In this podcast episode, join hosts Gyles and Aphra Brandreth as they engage in a compelling conversation with Namibian poet Keamogetsi Joseph Molapong. Broadcasting from Windhoek, Namibia's capital, Keamogetsi, an activist-poet, sheds light on his passion for using poetry as a tool to amplify the voices of rural communities. Explore the challenges Namibia faced in its fight for independence and experience the emotive power of Keamogetsi's poetry. Poems his episode include: The Language I Am from the book the Scars on My Skin; Poverty; and My Love I was in the wrong, all by Keamogetsi Joseph Molapong

Next stop St Vincent and the Grenadines with spoken word poet Philip Nanton Jan 21, 2024

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In this fortnight’s episode, Gyles and Aphra Brandreth engage in a conversation with Philip Nanton, a writer and spoken word performer who was originally born in St Vincent and currently resides in Barbados. Philip shares his compelling story, breathes life into his poetry, and delves into his recent project — a biography on the overlooked Vincentian jazz musician and poet, Shake Keane. Join them in exploring more about St Vincent and the Grenadines in this enjoyable episode of the Commonwealth Poetry Podcast. Poems this episode include: Punctuation Marks; Kitchen Combo; and All that Jazz, all by Philip Nanton.

Celebrating a ‘Youth Powered Commonwealth’ with Ayesha Dharker, Joanna Lumley, Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar. Jan 07, 2024

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In this episode Gyles and Aphra Brandreth celebrate young voices from across the Commonwealth featuring special guests, Ayesha Dharker, Joanna Lumley, Meera Syal and Sanjeev Bhaskar. We hear from the two young winners of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, 17 year old Siddhi Deshmukh - the Senior Winner from India, and 13 year old Shreeya Sahi - the Junior Winner also from India, with excerpts from their winning contributions on the theme of 'A Youth-Powered Commonwealth’.

Poems this episode include: The Blessed Virgin compared to the Air we Breathe by Gerard Manley Hopkins; The Highwayman by Alfred Noyes; La Belle Dame sans Merci: A Ballad by John Keats; and Nod by Walter De La Mare. As well as excerpts from the winning Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition stories: ‘An Angel That Burns' by Senior Winner Siddhi Deshmukh; and 'Dear Little Prince' by Junior Winner Shreeya Sahi.

Celebrating Christmas with seasonal poems from around the Commonwealth Dec 24, 2023

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Gyles and Aphra Brandreth share some of their favourite seasonal poems in this special episode of the Commonwealth Poetry Podcast. Joined by staff and students from the University of Chester reading poems that remind them of Christmas, the Holidays and Home. This is the perfect episode to get you in the mood for the festive season wherever you are in the world. Poems this episode include: The Oxen by Thomas Hardy; Love came down at Christmas by Christina Rosetti; To Mrs K, On Her Sending Me an English Christmas Plum-Cake at Paris by Helen Maria Williams; Dear True Love by U. A. Fanthorpe; Holidays in Chennai by MathiRaj Manohara Raj; and December by Isaiah Agoro

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