Location: Labyrinth Books, Princeton

More Info

Labyrinth Books together with Princeton’s Creative Writing Program and Program in African Studies invite you to come out for a poetry reading by South Africa’s Second Poet Laureate.

In 1961 Kgositsile was one of the first young members of the African National Congress (ANC) instructed to leave the country by the leadership of the national liberation movement. During his years of exile in the US (1962-1975), he became a central figure among African-American poets and particularly within the pan-African movement.

A strong feature of his work is the recognition and celebration of his influences, his friendships with other artists and, in particular, his deep love of blues and jazz. He has taught poetry throughout the U.S. and South Africa. Professor Kgositsile remains an active voice in South African politics and culture. He is the author of numerous books, including The Present is a Dangerous Place to Live, To the Bitter End, and Approaches to Poetry Writing Poetry.