Jonathan Lefenya

BIO

Jonathan Lefenya is a Digital Marketer, published poet, copywriter, performer, facilitator, and playwright whose work flings open the narrow window of language,  through which we are accustomed to describing reality and in so doing, compels both Self and audience to reflect on the plight and plethora of the human condition. Growing up he had neither a sense of the world nor his place in it, so the poet uses writing as a metaphor for control. As a performance poet, his work is that of remarkable pliability and nuance. On the poetry stage, his art is known for its’ pathos and piercing nature, which appeals to the delicate senses of the audience. He has recently debuted his one hander at the Tx Theatre "Leru la Mahlomola'' and showcased a duo poetry consultation "Uthando Ngumuthi '' Co-written and Co-directed by Thuthukani Myeza. Two of his poems are published In the poetic blues anthology featuring some of South Africa's prominent poets. He is a Poetry Africa slam finalist 2022, Right To Speak top 20 influential youth poets 2022. 

2017 to date.

2022

• Hear My Voice poetry retreat 
• Nirox Foundation ( Poems and songs about love) 
• Collaborated with the legendary Aus Tebza, Guy Buttery and Madala Kunene. 2022
• Debut one hander " Leru la Mahlomola" at the TX theatre 
• Written and performed by myself and directed by Masai Sepuru
• Puo Festival 
• Showcased at Spin Venek (Sabelo Soko's album launch)
• Co-written and Co-directed "Uthando Ngumuthi" with Thuthukani Myeza
• Centre of Creative Arts "Poetry in the Marketplace" visual showcase hosted By Lebo Mashile.
• Writing On The Wall ( Market Theatre)
• V.O.W FM
• Poetry Africa top 3 Slam finalist
• Poetry Africa Headliner
• Mak Manaka's (Homeless at Home)
• Leano Poetry Night (Headliner)
• Digify Africa cohort 1.0
• Right to Speak Poetry catalogue

            2021

• Radioactive Poetry Cafe, Episode 3, 2021
• Headlined Roodepoort Theatre Art Revival Art on the Lawn, 2021
• Constitutional Hill, Human rights festival 2021
• Co - founder of Fresh Milk productions, 2021
• CSP Graduate
• CUT FM radio interview ( Free State)
• Basha Uhuru Media Launch
• Basha Uhuru Creative uprising festival
• Noka ya Ditaelo featuring the Legendary Ntate Kgafela Wamogogodi
• Artsalive and Department of Arts and Culture - Clash of the regions poetry champion.

2020

• WordNSound Digital slam Top 5, 2020
• WordNSound Brown Bottle online session, 2020
• Poetic Blues virtual Festival, 2020
• World of Words - The lost episode, 2020
• The Art Revival - Thanksgiving show, 2020
• WordnSound top 5 finalist, 2020
• Poetry reading on The Poedcast, episode 24 
• Hear My Voice Poetry Relief Fund, ep 4 performance 

2019

• Freelance Writer for Poetry Zone 2019 to date.
• Former Assistant production manager at Poetic Thursdays, Soweto theatre 
• WordNSound Top 5 poets for 2019.
• World of Words slam Top 5 for 2019. 
• Three time WordNSound King of the mic. 
• Made history by being the youngest person to ever showcase at poetic Thursday at the Soweto theatre. 
• Part of the first ever Pick-me-up poetry Showcases.
• He was part of the Curtain call production hosted by Art 24 academy at the Joburg Theatre 2019. 
• Headlined Day two of the Soweto Art week festival, held in Soweto 2019.
• Winner of the Youth Art competition at the Roodepoort theatre 2019.
• Assistant Directing Manager for The Art Revival for 2019.
• World of Words showcase act for the finale 2019.
• World of Words showcase act for the first ever poetry picnic at Victoria Yards 2019.
• Pay the poet festival showcase, held in Qwaqwa Dec 2019.

2018 - 2017 

Jonathan Lefenya was the winner of the College Poetry Competition 2 years running, both regional and provincial. 

• Won 7 college championships in two years
• Performed at UJ Soweto Campus for an event held by De Beers.
• Lead poet at the Sidewalk art gallery located at the box near the Soweto theatre. 
• Jozi book fair slam runner up 2018.
• Directing Manager at Soweto Theatre for poetic Thursdays 2018.
• WordNSound Best New Comer nominee 2018.
• African Print and Poetry awards Poem of the year winner 2018.