One stage. Ten finalists. Voices from across the world. And a Swiss poet who made history.
Valerio Moser has been crowned the 2026 World Poetry Slam Champion, becoming the first European poet to win the title since the championship began in 2022. His victory brought a powerful close to the 30th edition of Poetry Africa, which concluded at the Playhouse Drama Theatre in Durban on Friday, 9 October 2026.
The moment marked a major milestone for Moser and a fitting finale to a festival celebrating the power of words, language and human connection.
After the announcement, the newly crowned champion celebrated with a somersault on stage. Yet, despite the excitement, Moser found himself momentarily lost for words.
“Despite being the new World Champion in Poetry Slam I am speechless,” he said. “Inspiring performers from all around the world meeting at the melting pot of poetry – a Festival I will never forget.”
Ten Poets, One World Championship
The fifth World Poetry Slam Championship brought together ten finalists representing countries across six continents.
The finalists were Satoshi Nakauchi from Japan, Soyo Vi Zibo from Ghana, Dennis Mwangi Gachie from Kenya, Karelys Gissette Rios Santana from Puerto Rico, Maya Bassude from Canada, Valerio Moser from Switzerland, Ariatne Sarai Ruiz de Chavez de los Santos from Mexico, Zewande Bhengu from South Africa, Some Sankar Louis Rodolphe from Burkina Faso and Teirangi Klever from New Zealand.
Each poet was judged on the quality of their writing and their delivery, putting both the words and the performance at the centre of the competition.
The jury featured Xabiso Vili of South Africa, the 2022 World Poetry Slam Champion; Ubah Cristina Ali Farah of Italy; and Nanda of Gabon.
After narrowing the competition to five finalists, the jury named Kenya’s Dennis Mwangi Gachie runner-up and Canada’s Maya Bassude third. Moser ultimately claimed the championship.
The result showcased the range of voices and creative approaches that make spoken-word poetry a powerful international art form.
Meet the Swiss Poet Who Made History
Born in Langenthal, Switzerland, in 1988, Moser began performing slam poetry in 2007. Since then, he has established himself as one of Switzerland’s most active spoken-word artists.
His achievements include four Swiss Poetry Slam Championship titles, two German-language championship titles with the duo Interrobang, the 2025 European Poetry Slam Championship and two Swiss PowerPoint Karaoke Championship titles.
Moser is known for energetic performances that explore the sound and character of his mother tongue, Swiss German.
At Poetry Africa, subtitles were projected for every poem, allowing audiences to engage with performances across language barriers. Moser’s Swiss German delivery reached an international audience, demonstrating how poetry can connect people even when they do not share the same language.
His World Poetry Slam victory adds another major achievement to an already distinguished career.
South Africa’s Zewande Bhengu Makes the Final Ten
While Moser took the crown, South Africa also had reason to celebrate.
Zewande Bhengu finished sixth overall, reaching the final ten and placing a South African voice among the world’s leading slam poets on home soil.
Bhengu earned his place in the competition as the 2025 Poetry Africa National Slam Champion. He is a multi-award-winning multidisciplinary artist who has won titles on several slam stages and worked with corporate brands and non-governmental organisations as a spoken-word artist.
He is also the author of Children Of Ghosts, a poetry anthology that explores race, masculinity and the power of art.
His performance at the international championship placed South African spoken-word talent firmly in the global conversation.
Meanwhile, Solly Ramatswi will represent South Africa at the 2027 World Poetry Slam Championship in Japan, carrying the country’s voice into the next edition of the competition.
Thirty Years of Giving Words a Stage
The championship closed a landmark edition of Poetry Africa, which ran from 5 to 10 October 2026 under the theme “Every Word a Street, Every Voice a City.”
Over the festival’s 30th edition, more than 130 poets from 44 countries came together in Durban, turning the city into a meeting point for different languages, experiences and perspectives.
Festival curator Siphindile Hlongwa reflected on the significance of the gathering.
“For thirty years, Poetry Africa has asked what words can do. This week, over 130 poets from 44 countries, answered on one stage in Durban, each in their own language and each impossible to ignore,” says Hlongwa.
“Every word was a street, and every voice was a city. We are proud to have welcomed the world’s best, and to congratulate Valerio on a title he truly earned.”
The festival also extended beyond the theatre. Poets engaged with schools and community reading and writing groups through four community arts centres: K-Cap, Luthuli Museum, Wushwini Art Centre and Denis Hurley Centre.
A partnership with the eThekwini Municipality’s Library Department also helped the festival reach communities in Magabheni and KwaSanti.
These outreach initiatives connected the celebration of poetry with communities across the region, bringing creative expression and storytelling to audiences beyond the main festival stage.
The Poetry Africa Baton Heads to Japan
The closing ceremony also looked towards the future of the World Poetry Slam Championship.
In a symbolic handover, Hlongwa passed the curator’s baton — a handmade woven basket — to Japanese poet and curator Yuri Miki, who will host the 2027 World Poetry Slam Championship in Japan.
Belgian poet and scholar Dr Philip Meersman received a special mention for his continued championing and mentorship of the championship across its successive editions.
The handover marked the next chapter for an event that has brought international spoken-word artists together annually since 2022.
A Festival That Looks Towards a Better World
For Dr Ismail Mahomed, Director of the Centre for Creative Arts, the festival’s impact reaches beyond competition and awards.
“Throughout this festival, poets and audiences said the same thing: we need a better world, and artists have an important role in shaping it,” says Mahomed.
“For thirty years, Poetry Africa has given that conviction a stage. This week, poets from across the globe found a home in Durban, and they leave as ambassadors for a South Africa that listens, welcomes and speaks back.”
The 30th edition was made possible through the support of partners including the German Embassy, National Arts Council, KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, Italian Institute of Culture, South African Convention Bureau, KZN Tourism and Film Authority, KwaZulu-Natal Performing Arts Trust, French Institute of South Africa, The Playhouse Company, Siyaphumelela SAIDE and the World Poetry Slam Organisation.
The festival also acknowledged the poets, artists, crew and audiences who contributed to the milestone edition.
As Poetry Africa closes its 30th year, Moser’s historic victory stands alongside the festival’s wider achievement: bringing voices from around the world to Durban and giving them a stage on which to be heard.
The championship may have crowned one winner, but its message was bigger than a single title. Across languages, cultures and borders, poetry continues to create space for people to tell their stories, challenge perspectives and imagine a better world.
