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22 PHILANTHROPY MAGAZINEUKZN%u2019s CCA gets R800 000POETRY AFRICA FUNDING FROMNATIONAL LOTTERY COMMISSIONMELISSA MUNGROOThe University of KwaZulu-Natal%u2019s Centre for Creative Arts (CCA) has secured a generous R800 000 grant from the National Lottery Commission to support the 29th edition of its flagship event, the Poetry Africa festival. This strategic funding, facilitated by the UKZN Foundation, will deepen the festival%u2019s community engagement, international reach and impact on the local creative economy.Poetry Africa has grown into one of Africa%u2019s leading spoken word platforms with a legacy of bringing together voices from across the globe. The 2025 edition promises to be its most dynamic yet, thanks to this new funding.%u2018The support from the National Lottery Commission will allow us to affirm Poetry Africa%u2019s status as a leading cultural event,%u2019 said Dr Ismail Mahomed, Director of the CCA. %u2018It enables us to not only host more international poets, but also to reach deeper into local communities and offer more to emerging artists.%u2019Cast of The(R)evolution of Works.DONORSAmong the direct beneficiaries of the funding are the artists themselves %u2013 through support for travel, accommodation and performance fees %u2013 as well as the audiences in five local community centres and schools through a targeted outreach programme. These engagements aim to make poetry accessible, inclusive and reflective of diverse South African voices.One of the most exciting developments is the launch of two new Slam Poetry competitions: the Chalkboard Slammers for high school learners and the Boardroom Slammers for young adults in