About us
Who We Are
The Poetry Comedy Storytelling Council (PoeComSto Council) is the official cluster/ council for Poetry, Comedy, and Storytelling and a registered Non-Profit Company (NPC). We are one of the 17 Sector Clusters mandated by the national Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC).
An autonomous organisation Our origins stem from a mandate from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to establish organisations and to advance and represent different sectors in the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI). PoeComSto Council acts as the unifying voice and coordinating structure for these three creative sectors. Our core mandate is to support and develop practitioners, propel careers, promote cultural expression, create opportunities for growth and sustainability systems and celebrate those who have contributed to the development of 3 sectors.
To achieve this, we represent our member and member organisations by advocating and lobbying for the establishment of a profitable and sustainable working industry. Our mission is to secure the recognition and support needed for these art forms to flourish as viable professional careers.
Mission
To actively propel the careers of practitioners and secure the necessary resources, recognition, and systems to foster the growth and long-term sustainability of South Africa's poetry, comedy, and storytelling industries as the unified, dependable structure that advocates, supports, and develops, driving transition into profitable and sustainable professional careers.
Vision
To be the catalyst for a national landscape where poetry, comedy, and storytelling are fully recognized sectors, professionally sustained, and globally competitive art forms.
The Poetry Comedy Storytelling Council (PoeComSto Council) is the official cluster/ council for Poetry, Comedy, and Storytelling and a registered Non-Profit Company (NPC). We are one of the 17 Sector Clusters mandated by the national Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (DSAC).
An autonomous organisation Our origins stem from a mandate from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to establish organisations and to advance and represent different sectors in the Creative and Cultural Industries (CCI). PoeComSto Council acts as the unifying voice and coordinating structure for these three creative sectors. Our core mandate is to support and develop practitioners, propel careers, promote cultural expression, create opportunities for growth and sustainability systems and celebrate those who have contributed to the development of 3 sectors.
To achieve this, we represent our member and member organisations by advocating and lobbying for the establishment of a profitable and sustainable working industry. Our mission is to secure the recognition and support needed for these art forms to flourish as viable professional careers.
Mission
To actively propel the careers of practitioners and secure the necessary resources, recognition, and systems to foster the growth and long-term sustainability of South Africa's poetry, comedy, and storytelling industries as the unified, dependable structure that advocates, supports, and develops, driving transition into profitable and sustainable professional careers.
Vision
To be the catalyst for a national landscape where poetry, comedy, and storytelling are fully recognized sectors, professionally sustained, and globally competitive art forms.
Who We Are
PoeComSto Group of South Africa is a public, non-profit federation of organisations working in the fields of poetry, comedy, and storytelling.
We operate as a cultural council, open to member organisations that serve or employ at least ten practitioners per year.
As a formally constituted body with corporate legal status, we represent and serve the broader cultural and creative industries sector,
acting as both a unifying voice and coordinating structure.
Invitation to Membership
We invite all eligible organizations and Indivuals working within the poetry, comedy, and storytelling sectors to join us.
By becoming a member, your organization gains formal representation and a direct channel for advocacy at a national level.
Together, we can collectively work toward a more robust and financially viable industry for all.
Our Objectives
Our purpose is to:
- Empower young and active practitioners with relevant artistic and business skills.
- Promote integration and community development through values-based cultural work.
- Use poetry, comedy, and storytelling as tools for social justice and advocacy.
- Facilitate collaboration, cooperation, and sector-wide campaigns.
- Represent sectoral interests at national and international levels.
- Provide a framework for membership, affiliate structures, and institutional development.
- Develop and implement programmes for the sustainability and growth of the cultural sector.
- Foster exchanges between local and international artists.
- Support research and documentation of the impact of the arts in communities.
Our Objectives
Our purpose is to:
- Empower young and active practitioners with relevant artistic and business skills.
- Promote integration and community development through values-based cultural work.
- Use poetry, comedy, and storytelling as tools for social justice and advocacy.
- Facilitate collaboration, cooperation, and sector-wide campaigns.
- Represent sectoral interests at national and international levels.
- Provide a framework for membership, affiliate structures, and institutional development.
- Develop and implement programmes for the sustainability and growth of the cultural sector.
- Foster exchanges between local and international artists.
- Support research and documentation of the impact of the arts in communities.
Team
We represent and serve our member organizations, advocating and lobbying for the establishment of a profitable and sustainable working industry. Our mission is to secure the necessary support and recognition for these art forms, ensuring that they are not only preserved but also flourish as viable professional careers.
Chairperson
Mrs. Muriel Mokgathi-Mvubu (MoAfrika wa Mokgathi)
Deputy Chairperson
Mr. Sandiso Sinaze
Treasurer
Mr. Jacobus Van Der Merwe
Deputy Secretary
Ms. Gomolemo Moagi
Programming
Mr. Sabelo Soko
Membership
Mr. Mvuseleleo Mthembu
Stakeholder and Conventions
Ms. JahRose Jafta
Fundraising
Ms. Suzan Skhosana
PR and Marketing
Mr. Tshekedi Monyemore
