Belongings was A Poetic X-ploration of Heritage hosted by Badilisha Poetry X- Change to celebrate South Africa’s National Heritage Day on 21st September 2008 with a word feast of ten Cape Town based poets including Andrea Dondolo, Rustum Kozain, Jitsvinger (Quintin Goliath), Khadija Heeger, Burni Aman, Winslow Schalkwyk, Diana Ferrus, Christopher Ferndale, Annelie De Wet and Harrison Makubalo.

Bringing their inspiring voices and visions to this creative re-engagement with personal and political histories, each poet was given a box – a container and symbol which they “unpacked” for the audience through poetry and performance, sharing the significance of this apparently neutral container now infused with meaning. The box as a metaphor potentially pointed to personal heritage, legacies and heirlooms, forced removals, occupation of new spaces, unpacking of histories, safekeeping of one’s belongings, storage of archival material or treasures and much more.

In the hands of these local poets sharing their discoveries, recoveries and revelations, the audience entered a realm of multiple interpretations and perspectives as they were led up a staircase, down a passage, into a corner, and onto a balcony of the historical 44 Long Street building, in the centre of Cape Town.