Members of Salt River High School’s new poetry club are working with UWC’s English department with the aim of one day having their work published.
The pupils visited UWC for a workshop with the university’s English department on Friday September 9, and they had a chance to recite their poems, reflect on their work and meet UWC students and staff.
Salt River High School teacher Cohen Charles, who runs the poetry club, said he got in touch with lecturer Dr Courtney L Davids, from the UWC English, Arts and Humanities Faculty, over two months ago with the goal of getting his pupil’s poems published by UWC.
“I am really inspired and moved by the poetry content that the pupils came up with,” said Mr Charles, a UWC alumnus.
He said the collaboration would help bridge the gap between the school and university.
“This gives a opportunity for the pupils to be exposed to these institutions,” he said.
Dr Davids said the poetry programme could help students acclimatise to a university environment.
“There is definitely the goal to have a joint poetry book published with the Salt River pupils and the first-year UWC students who are part of the programme,” she said.
Grade 11 Lihle Mantashe, 17, said she was proud of herself for sharing her poetry at UWC. “We received good feedback,” she said.
