Masterclass Writing

I wrote this poem on the day of Luca, my grandson’s birth. Poem for Luca Daniel Milborrow 16 August's cradle holds a treasure so dear, Luca Milborrow, a grandchild, a radiant light and clear. A great-grandchild, a fresh beginning's embrace, His life's canvas painted with Ma Eva’s smile and grace. May wisdom's gentle streams guide his way, Luca's gifts and talents twinkle like stars above, And his heart brimming with boundless love. Luca’s life, a blessing with laughter's sweet embrace, His name whispered in the world's ear, A melody of hope, tender and sincere. With each dawn's rise, his purpose will unfold, A beacon of hope, a tale to be told. Blessed be Luca to bring light to each day, And his parents’ love, a guide to a brighter day. © 2023 Selwyn Milborrow

My granddaughter, Willow Liberty's first song recorded, 8 May 2023

Barend van Vuuren was a poet introduced to me by his cousin, Nadan Naidoo. Barend was welcomed into my MasterClass Writers group and quickly became a popular character. He was sensitive, intelligent and a great human being. The recordings were aired by fellow poet, Don Beukes on his podcast a week after Barend's passing. I would like to pay tribute to Barend with this episode. A big thank you to Don Beukes for giving me permission to air these last recordings of Barend.

My gedig vir my Ma was opgeneem in die Afrikaans matriekvraestel. Wat ‘n eer!

MasterClass Writer and Poet, Rozetta Whitting talks about the Christmas season.

South African authors, Selwyn Milborrow and Bevan Boggenpoel released a new book Madiba’s Quotes & Anecdotes: Reflections and Conversations. It honours Nelson Mandela through his quotes, anecdotes, and commentary. The authors use Madiba’s 27 quotes to reflect on his 27 years on Robben Island and beyond. The idea for the book came about during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. Boggenpoel shared his vision for the book with Milborrow, and they immediately started sharing their poetry and commentaries. They looked at 27 quotes shared by Nelson Mandela, as a political prisoner, freedom fighter, leader, president, and peacemaker during his lifetime. Madiba’s quotes and his unique leadership style have always inspired them. It comes through very strongly in the book. The poetry in the book is linked to the quotes of Madiba. Commentaries in the book tie in with Madiba’s quotes, and the authors’ own experiences during apartheid. “This book comes at a time when true leadership has become a scarce resource aroun

South African authors, Selwyn Milborrow and Bevan Boggenpoel released a new book Madiba’s Quotes & Anecdotes: Reflections and Conversations. It honours Nelson Mandela through his quotes, anecdotes, and commentary. The authors use Madiba’s 27 quotes to reflect on his 27 years on Robben Island and beyond. The idea for the book came about during the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020. Boggenpoel shared his vision for the book with Milborrow, and they immediately started sharing their poetry and commentaries. They looked at 27 quotes shared by Nelson Mandela, as a political prisoner, freedom fighter, leader, president, and peacemaker during his lifetime. Madiba’s quotes and his unique leadership style have always inspired them. It comes through very strongly in the book. The poetry in the book is linked to the quotes of Madiba. Commentaries in the book tie in with Madiba’s quotes, and the authors’ own experiences during apartheid. “This book comes at a time when true leadership has become a scarce resource aroun

gedicht voor veerle, els, en anne-sophie onthoud je nog? weet je nog hoe we samen hand in hand uit de schoolpoort kwamen onafscheidelijke vrienden voor altijd? niet? wacht, ik weet dat je luistert ook al is de verbinding verbroken weet ik dat de pen genadig zal zijn om de keel haar stilte te breken en ‘n gedicht voor de dag vannacht in het zuiden van afrika wegzakt op een blad papier om te geven aan drie belgische dichtersvrienden… © Selwyn Milborrow, 2021

Port Elizabeth poet and children's author, Chantal Sam Moodaley reads her poem 'Love at first fight'.

I would like to make a case for the repatriation of the remains of Arthur Nortje, a poet from Port Elizabeth buried in Wolvercote Cemetery, Oxford, United Kingdom. He died of a suspected barbiturate overdose on 11 December 1970. Dennis Brutus, Nortje’s mentor, claimed that he had died from an overdose of forty-five barbiturate tablets while other sources vary in the details of his death. The coroner, however, declared an open verdict because he believed that his death could not have been accidental. Cecilia Potgieter, a Coloured domestic worker, gave birth to Arthur Kenneth Nortje on 16 December 1942. The father was “a young Jewish man named Arthur Kaplan who was thought to be the son of Cecilia’s employer” (McLuckie & Tyner, 1999). Nortje spent most of his childhood years in Korsten and Gelvandale, two areas in Port Elizabeth he wrote about fondly in his poetry. The discriminatory apartheid system under which Nortje lived, had a devastating impact on him. Sadly “Nortje found himself between two opposing

Introducing my new poem "Child of Africa" read by Angelique Angie Simons from Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Astonishing poetry performance! My poem was inspired by an image by German Artist, Andrea Braun.

The fear of writing and a free-writing exercise

I had the honour of collaborating with the talented watercolour artist, Andrea Braun from Germany on her painting of a loving elderly couple that instantly captivated me. I immediately felt a new poem 'A love so beautiful' forming at the exact moment I saw Andrea's watercolour painting. In fact, I not only saw the words of the poem forming in my heart, but I felt it in every fibre of my soul. The poem's heartfelt words were meant to come together at that moment. Now it is forever embedded into this painting. Thank you, Andrea, for the honour of collaborating with you.

A lot of people struggle to give themselves permission to be creative. It is understandable because all of us are a little bit suspicious of our own talent. And you know what? That could be the beginning or the root cause of procrastination, but that for another day. I have come to the realisation that my experience of doubting my own talent is not unique; it is something that I share with millions of people. However, in my thirties, I realised that life is too short and how we spend it is extremely important. It was then that I decided to just write and share my work with the world. That decision changed my life for the better. I was offered a freelance-journalism job at one of the country’s top Afrikaans newspapers. And here comes the shocker; I did not even have the academic qualification for the job. Yes, it was just my writing talent and a decision I made to give myself permission to be creative that opened that door. Allow me to share with you a few facts that will be a practical guide on how to give yo

Selwyn Milborrow shares thoughts from his Lockdown Journal - 29 July 2020.

Day 9 - Lockdown Journal of a South African podcaster.

Selwyn Milborrow’s Lockdown Journal.

Day 7 - Lockdown Journal in South Africa.

Day 6 - Lockdown Journal during the lockdown regulation in South Africa.

Selwyn Milborrow talks about how aspiring writers tend to have self-limiting beliefs.