Poet Sihle Ntuli Concludes Dunedin Residency with Octagon Poetry Collective Reading

Poet, editor and classicist Sihle Ntuli from Durban UNESCO City of Literature concluded his time in Ōtepoti as the Caselberg Trust Margaret Egan Cities of Literature Writers Resident at an Octagon Poetry Collective Reading on 12 November, where he was a featured poet alongside Pam Morrison and Tui Bevan, with Jasmine Taylor as MC. His special reading included the much-loved ‘Rain’ by Hone Tuwhare followed by a poem by Sihle that was inspired by ‘Rain’, as well as other exciting new work written in Ōtepoti and shared for the first time.

Sihle was selected for the 2025 Residency from a remarkable 79 applications representing 28 Cities of Literature worldwide, with judges praising the calibre and originality of his submission. The Residency, established in 2023 as a partnership between the Caselberg Trust and Ōtepoti UNESCO City of Literature, is made possible by a generous bequest from the late Margaret Egan. It offers writers time to focus on a substantial piece of creative work while fostering connections among Cities of Literature, writers, readers and the community.

During his six weeks living and writing at the Caselberg House in Whakaohorahi Broad Bay on the Otago Peninsula, Sihle immersed himself in Ōtepoti’s creative life and, to the delight of the community, wrote poems inspired by his time here. His Residency was timed to coincide with the Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival, where he took part in two popular events for the Hone Tuwhare Trust Poetry Series, sharing his work with local audiences. He also appeared on OAR FM’s Write Spot with Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature and Ara Toi on Air podcasts, reading poems from his highly regarded Owele collection (uHlanga, July 2025). He sat down with Sam Henderson from The Star in his final week, reflecting on his time in Ōtepoti and noting that visiting Ōtākou Marae as part of the Festival was a highlight.

A rising voice in contemporary African poetry, Sihle is the author of several acclaimed collections, including Zabalaza Republic (Botsotso, 2023), The Nation (River Glass Books, 2023), Rumblin (uHlanga, 2020) and Stranger (Aerial, 2015). His poetry has appeared in leading international journals, and he has held editorial roles with Wild Pine Poetry and New Contrast.

The Ōtepoti UNESCO City of Literature team is so grateful to all those who spent time with Sihle to make him feel welcome. We are also very grateful for our collaboration with the Caselberg Trust and their great mahi that made the second international Residency such a success. The Residency will be offered every second year to writers from the other 62 UNESCO Cities of Literature, and solely to applicants from across the motu every other year. Keep an eye out on our City of Literature website for the call for Aotearoa applications for 2026!