Natalia Molebatsi

Natalia Molebatsi is a South African queer feminist poet, writer, singer, performer, editor, and cultural organizer. She also experiments with jazz and hip-hop.

Natalia Molebatsi was born and raised in Tembisa, a township near Johannesburg. After obtaining her Bachelor of Arts with Honors, her academic focus on the representation of Black women in media set the stage for a career intertwined with issues of identity and representation.

Her MA thesis (through the University of South Africa), entitled An Analysis of Representations of Women in SAfm’s Poetry in the Air, focused on a critical discourse analysis of womanist cultural production on public radio.

Molebatsi's academic journey continued as a PhD student in Performance Studies, with a keen interest in topics ranging from feminist media to Black queer studies. Her commitment to intersectional feminism and cultural inquiry is as profound as her creative endeavours.

Her academic writing appears in Scrutiny2, Rhodes Journalism Review, and Muziki.

Her first poetry collection, Sardo Dance (2009), offers a rhythmic and poignant exploration of women's experiences and societal observations. Following its success, Elephant Woman Song (2017), further cements her reputation — delving into themes of strength, resilience, and cultural identity with lyrical grace.

Molebatsi's role as an editor has been vital in bringing diverse voices to the forefront. We Are: A Poetry Anthology ( 2008) is a testament to her vision of a united literary community.

Molebatsi has contributed to several anthologies, including Letter to South Africa: Poets Calling the State to Order, Happiness the Delight-Tree: An Anthology of Contemporary International Poetry, and New Daughters of Africa (2019).

As a prolific poet and writer, she has graced over 15 countries with her performances and creative writing workshops. She has performed in schools, universities, and festivals worldwide — reaching audiences in Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Zimbabwe, England, Italy, Azerbaijan, Argentina, Palestine, Germany, and the United States.

Natalia Molebatsi currently lives in Johannesburg.

Photo credit: www.nataliamolebatsi.com