Siphokazi Jonas is a writer, poet, performer, and storyteller with a strong national
footprint and growing international presence. She holds a MA in English Literature
BA in Drama and English from the University of Cape Town. Her background in the
theatre is what makes her a truly captivating performer whose work has a lasting
impact on all audiences. She has written and performed in numerous productions
including #WeAreDyingHere (2020) at Artscape and Joburg Theatre, and Around the
Fire (2018) at Artscape Theatre. She is a co-producer, co-writer, and performer on
the short film adaptation of the #WeAreDyingHere film. In 2016 she was the first
African ever to perform at Rhetoric, the largest poetry event in the world in Los
Angeles, California. In 2015 she was crowned the Cape Town Ultimate Slam
Champion. Her poetry education project also won Western Cape Top Achiever at the
DAC Debut Awards in 2019.
Siphokazi has shared the stage with South African legends such as Thembi Mtshali-
Jones, Celeste Matthews-Wannenburgh, Natalia da Rocha; musicians Hotstix
Mabuse, Pops Mohamed, Zolani Mahola, and Freshlyground. She was also one of
the storytellers invited to perform for Yo-Yo Ma on his visit to Cape Town. Siphokazi
has performed alongside international poets at major literary festivals and poetry
sessions around the country. Her work has been profiled national television on
SABC 3’s Expresso and SABC 2’s Hectic Nine-9 and Nhlanhla Ya Rixaka. She also
performed at the 2021 State of the Nation Address. Her poem, A place of many
names was commissioned for the collaboration between Google Arts and Culture
and SA Tourism. Siphokazi teaches spoken word and theatre online at an
elementary school in Florida, USA.