A Sip & Write
A gentle meeting of words, colour, and presence
Overview
A Sip & Write is not a typical creative writing class. There are no grades. No criticism. No pressure to produce anything polished or publishable.
Instead, it is an invitation—to slow down, to breathe, to meet your own voice in a space of warmth and permission.
Facilitated by award-winning poet Kwazi Ndlangisa, each session unfolds as a gentle gathering of words, colour, and presence. The space is intentionally crafted to hold both seasoned writers and first-time storytellers, allowing the ambiance, energy, and guidance to open each participant to their own voice.
And at the end, everyone leaves with something they made.
The Experience
| Duration | 2–3 hours |
| Format | Small group workshop |
| Language | isiZulu and English |
| Group size | 6–15 participants |
| Suitable for | Beginners and experienced writers alike |
What happens in a session:
Arrival and settling – Tea, coffee, and quiet. Time to arrive fully, to put down whatever you were carrying into the room.
Gentle opening – A poem read aloud. A moment of silence. A question offered without demand.
Writing – Prompts are offered, but you are free to write whatever comes. Some people write poems. Some write memories. Some write one sentence and sit with it. All of it is welcome.
Sharing (optional) – Those who wish to share their words aloud are invited to do so. There is no feedback, no critique. Only witnessing.
Words meet colour – Every participant chooses a line from their writing and paints it onto canvas. The paints, the brush, the surface—all provided.
Closing – You leave with your poem and your artwork. A keepsake. A memory of the moment where words met colour.
Why "Sip & Write"?
The name matters.
Sip – Because we begin with tea. Because we don't rush. Because creativity, like a good cup of tea, requires warmth and patience. Because the act of sipping is an act of presence—slowing down enough to taste, to feel, to be here now.
Write – Because words matter. Because everyone has a story, even those who don't think of themselves as writers. Because putting something on paper is an act of claiming: I was here. This mattered to me.
Together, "Sip & Write" names what we do: we create a container of gentleness, and inside it, we write.
Who It's For
A Sip & Write is for:
People who have never written a poem but have always wanted to try
Experienced writers who need to reconnect with the joy of writing
Anyone going through a transition—grief, celebration, uncertainty, change
Groups of friends, colleagues, or community members looking for a meaningful shared experience
Organisations seeking a creative, grounding activity for their teams or constituents
No writing experience required. No fluency required. No "talent" required. Only presence.
What Participants Say
"I came to A Sip & Write not expecting much. I don't write. I'm not creative. That's what I told myself. But in that room, with that tea, with those prompts, something opened. I wrote a poem. I painted a line from it. I took it home and hung it on my wall. Now I see it every morning and remember: I am someone who writes."
— Previous participant, UMzimkhulu
"Kwazi creates a space that feels like coming home. There's no judgment, no pressure. You can write one word or ten pages. You can share or stay silent. Whatever you need, the space holds it."
— Previous participant, Durban
"I brought my team to A Sip & Write for a wellness day. I expected it to be nice. I didn't expect it to be transformative. People wrote things they had never said aloud. People cried. People laughed. We left closer than we arrived."
— Organisational client
The Facilitator
Kwazi Ndlangisa is the winner of the Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Award 2021, the SA Literary Award 2024, and the Mail & Guardian 200 Young South Africans 2024. He is the author of Collecting Self (poetry) and Vukani Kusile (children's book), and his poems have been featured in Imbiza Journal, New Coin Poetry Magazine, and numerous anthologies.
But at A Sip & Write, Kwazi is not an award-winning poet. He is simply a guide—someone who knows how to hold space, offer prompts, and trust that every participant already has everything they need.
His facilitation style is warm, quiet, and deeply present. He does not perform. He does not teach in any conventional sense. He simply creates conditions in which creativity can emerge on its own.
Book a Session
A Sip & Write is available for:
Public sessions – Open to anyone who wants to attend. Dates announced on our website and social media.
Private groups – Book a session for your friends, family, or community group.
Organisations – Ideal for team building, wellness days, or creative retreats.
Schools and universities – Adapted for students, with options for writing in isiZulu or English.
Conferences and events – A grounding, creative break from typical programming.
Pricing:
Public sessions: R250 per person (includes all materials and refreshments)
Private groups (up to 15 people): R3,000 flat rate
Organisations and institutions: Negotiated based on group size and needs
What we provide:
All writing materials (paper, pens, prompts)
All art materials (canvas, paint, brushes)
Tea, coffee, and light refreshments
A facilitator who holds the space with care
What you provide:
Yourself, as you are
A willingness to be present
Upcoming Public Sessions
Saturday 14 March 2026 – 11H00
3 Millar Rd, Windermere, DURBAN
Imilayezo kaSithunywa - Sip & Write
Bring A Sip & Write to Your Community
We would love to bring A Sip & Write to your community, organisation, or event.
Whether you're in UMzimkhulu, Durban, Pietermaritzburg, Johannesburg, or anywhere in between, we can travel to you. Sessions can be held in community halls, offices, classrooms, or even outdoors—wherever there is space for gentleness.
To inquire about booking a session, email [email protected] with:
Your name and organisation (if applicable)
Preferred date(s)
Estimated number of participants
Any specific needs or themes you'd like us to consider
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a writer to attend?
No. Many participants have never written anything before. You are exactly who this is for.
Do I need to be able to paint?
No. The painting part is simple—you'll paint one line from your writing onto canvas. No artistic skill required.
What language is the session in?
Sessions are facilitated in a mix of isiZulu and English, depending on participant needs. You may write in any language you choose.
Can I attend alone?
Absolutely. Many people come alone. The space is welcoming and gentle.
What should I bring?
Just yourself. All materials are provided.
Will I have to share my writing?
No. Sharing is completely optional. Some people share; some don't. Both are welcome.
Can I book a session for a special occasion?
Yes. A Sip & Write can be adapted for birthdays, team celebrations, or other special gatherings. Contact us to discuss.
Testimonials
"I wrote a poem for the first time in twenty years. I didn't know I still could."
— Participant, public session
"Our team came in stressed and left peaceful. It was exactly what we needed."
— Organisational client
"The painting is on my wall. Every time I look at it, I remember that I am more than my job, my responsibilities, my worries. I am someone who writes. I am someone who creates."
— Participant, private group session
Book Now
Give yourself the gift of gentleness. Come sip. Come write. Come meet your own voice.
Related Pages
Sip & Write is a project of Imilolozelo (formerly IKhambi Writers Hub), a Non-Profit Company dedicated to preserving indigenous languages through literary arts.
Blogs
Welcome to IKhambi Writers Hub’s blog! This is where we take you straight to the midst of our cultural literally arts events where we celebrate our spirituality and everything that makes us be. If you missed it, this blog will help you feel the experience and if you were there, we will take you back every time you read our blog!
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