#corneliusjones

How long have you been involved in the spoken word scene?

It’s been seven years now. I was living in Durban when I was first introduced to spoken word and I was immediately drawn to it. I later moved back to Joburg and this fuelled my love for the art form

What inspires your work as a poet?

The township I'm from, my experiences and sometimes other people's stories. I often say that I feel bad for taking all of the credit for my work because there are times when I have no idea what inspired a poem or a particular line, so I also believe that God plays a role in my work coming together.

Besides being poet what else do you do? 

I write, I'm working towards publishing my own novel someday. I also work with Word n Sound, so organising poetry events and facilitating workshops.

Which artists are you looking forward to seeing at the Speak the Mind Sessions this Friday and why?

Natalie from Floetry, she's one of the artists that really inspired me when I started writing, Nova, Rennie, KB, Makhafula, I'm really excited to see these fellow poets on stage

What do you think about the Connect ZA initiative that aims to bring young creative professionals and creative audiences within the UK and SA?

I think it’s amazing idea. I think it’s important for creatives from different backgrounds, countries and cultures to come together and share ideas.  I think the initiative is very necessary, it’s good to know that there are artists in different parts of the world who either have the same struggles or who have reached what I might be aiming for. 

The 8th Speak the Mind Spoken Word Sessions will be taking place on the 6th and 7th of September at the Baseline in Newtown and forms part of the Johannesburg Arts Alive International Festival. This year the show will be hosting performing artists from Zimbabwe, Canada, South Africa, Swaziland, Jamaica and the UK.

Connect ZA  is excited to be supporting spoken word artists: Cornelius Jones (SA), Nova (SA), Kabelo” KB” Ringane (SA) and Jacob Sam La Rose (UK) as part at this years Speak the Mind Spoken Word Sessions.