By Ishmael
Mzwandile Soqaga
When it comes to African poetry as an integral part of
literature one can reminisce about the nostalgic past of African society. Poetry in Africa has flourished for many
decades now. It is not a foreign idea
that was emulated from or somewhere else outside Africa.
As iconic O Bolaji
explicitly elucidates in the introduction of the book “A Voice from Mangaung”
written by the vibrant Lebohang Thaisi that: “Poetry has always been part of
African Folklore, although because they were originally couched in the proliferating
indigenous languages, they were not given anything like the publicity they
deserved.” Colonial poems in Africa were
more concerned about the freedom of the Africans and also they were used to
express expostulation against colonial administration.
For instance in my mind I can recall black leader from abroad such as Marcus Garvey who wrote the poem “Say! Africa for the Africans (April 22, 1922),”moreover, Patrice Lumumba wrote another resistance poem called “May our People Triumph.” Africa has well indomitable and fully fledged poets whose poetry is world class and popularly recognized. From the revered Senghor, Wole Soyinka, Lenrie Peters, Gabriel Okara, Dennis Brutus, Zakes Mda, Mongane Wally Serote, Jack Mapanje, Ken Saro Wiwa, Gomolemo Mokae etc.
Here I shall concentrate on the following three African bards
and their respective books; Lebohang Thaisi (A Voice from
Mangaung), O. Bolaji (Poems from Mauritius) and T Job Mzamo (Pride of my Heart).
A Voice from
Mangaung
With much anticipation, Lebohang Thaisi has proven that he
has the potential to write outstanding poems that are willing to educate and
express different situation that affects life and the society. His poems are very beguiling and magnificent
to the point that they reveal what actually transpired in our society
today. The first poem “Africa” is
greatly delightful as it shows that the poet is an African who is concerned
about Mother Africa. In fact the poem is
straightforward to the point and unwittingly to impress with unnecessary
balderdash meaningless words.
Africa
When I look at you Africa
my eyes feel heavy with tears
you look so sad mother Africa, why?
I wonder; cause it pains me also
A voice from Mangaung contains poems that are
fascinating. They are enjoyable, easy to
read and understand. As is always the
case! Today we see many poems that have no meaning at all and are designed for
fashionable impression that eschew from reality. But the poems of Mr. Thaisi are realistic and
unashamedly speaking about authentic things that affect our daily life. A reader of the poems will see that the poems
are intended to provide lessons and challenge the perception of the people in
our society. Poems such as Abandoned, I and
Refugee – touch on sad realities that are conspicuously visible and usually
veritable in our societies.
The Abandoned
They are abandoned
thrown to the street
corners of big cities
Refugee!!
Two blocks is all I have to walk
to hear a brother calling our brother;
“these girigambas, la makwerekwere
they bring disease without mercy
calling him a refugee
Poems from
Mauritius
Better known as the creator of the exquisite “Tebogo” mystery
series, Bolaji has also been praised and critiqued on many occasions. To others it may be a surprising thing to find
him interested in poetry however, the truth is O Bolaji is multi talented. He is familiar with literary genre and by
understanding him surely; you can’t experience any difficulties in his
writing. Poems from Mauritius are known
as personal poems of Bolaji. But
contrary they show a prolific African writer apparently astonished by the
magnificent beauty of one of the Island of Africa (Mauritius). Definitely, he can adapt in any literary
situation and simultaneously he can provide gigantic literary piece of
writing. In reading his poems - a reader
will notice that the bard was greatly relished by the profound beauty of the
Island, that’s why the creation of the poems from Mauritius.
Paradise on Earth
Yes welcome to Paradise on Earth
An Island redolent with teeming
delights
Bienvenu
Bienvenu pour Mauritius
Island of tantalizing hordes and
promise
Come hither if you desire tranquility
And transcendental courtesy from the
host
Pride of My Heart
This is another fine literary piece of poems, which are
designed to serve the ‘masses’ with strong realities of life. Significantly, they have some certain
similarities with the “Voice from Mangaung” but albeit they are uniquely
fashionable and pleasant to read. Mr. T
Job Mzamo (pictured above) is known for his intellectual grassroots flair that is exceptionally
good. His energy and enthusiasm to write
and recite his own poems in public is profoundly incredible. It is quite motivating to see a poet of his
stature pragmatically demonstrating his poems with great verve.
It is commonly assumed that those who can
excel in poetry or pertinent literature they have to be accustomed with formal
education. This assumption is emanated
from ignorant and misconception that can be corrected by Job Mzamo because he
himself never attained a complete formal education; however, he writes and
performs his super-duper poems with great ecstasy. Moreover, his gargantuan interest in poetry
is marvelous. Pride of my heart the
collection of his poems exalts him greatly - a God fearing bard and a staunch
Christian. In the introduction of the
same book he states that: “Poetry was (originally)
never my kettle of fish, except of course recitations at school; and my all
time favourite was “all things bright and beautiful.” But today I am a poet and have been writing
poetry since 1997.
It is quite amazing to read such tremendous poems from
someone who acknowledges the fact that he never completed his formal
education. And this is what he has to
say on the conclusion of his introduction:
“Now, my advice to would- be- writers is to get
educated. Education is like rain in a
land hit by severe draught, it is the key to open all doors.
Grow up, wise up a bit
And don the most important
Crown of all, education!
Patently, his poems are educative and emphasize the most
important things that affect our lives.
Poems such as Rape: Brutal, Do
not sleep Around, The Truth, Youth and personality, Child abuse I and II are
greatly superlative.
“We are the children” is another blow-minding poem that has
a very strong message about the wellbeing of the children.
We are the
Children
Warning: to all adults
We are the children
We need love,
We need care
Specifically, I really relished reading the poems of the
three remarkable bards with lot of excitement.
They are quite interesting and they are intended to furnish imperative
insights into our society. The way
Thaisi expresses his poem concerning the silly name calling among the people of
the continent of Africa is exhilarating.
It is good to see Africans writers unequivocally raising this serious
continental issues in their writings, is necessary because it suffuses
awareness about the demon of Xenophobia.
In reading Abandon I you will understand how the condition of African
children are. African children are
homeless, living in the deleterious and obnoxious squalor situation and are
always begging for food to survive. Bolaji
is personally enamoured with the imperturbability of the Island but you could
feel that Mauritius is an Island where tranquility of mind and serenity is
untrammeled.
Job Mzamo the bard of
the people can illustrate his poems with excellent diction and by reading his
poems one will be greatly enthralled.
Think about the poem “Undemocratic Republic of Congo”. The bard laments exceedingly the terror and
the tyranny of the erstwhile leader of Congo President Kabila that he inflicts
on his people. Honestly, this is what we
expect to hear from the writers. Writers
are actually the voice of the people; they need to speak when they see
something wrong. This is literary
criticism of sorts but many African writers have suffered severely from their
government when they raised such unpleasant things that their leaders do to
their people.
It will be injudicious for me to avoid mentioning that
Thaisi and Mzamo in their poems they also pay great tributes to the now late
world icon Nelson Mandela. I strongly believe
that the time for our African people at grassroots’ level to familiarize
themselves with literature is imminent.
They need to see the importance of reading literature created from local
writers, this will inspire them and will necessary give them the eagerness to
know better about local literature. In
particular for the youth it will be a great thing to see young people showing
keen interest in local literature, visiting local libraries in numbers as this
will boost their erudition, vocabulary, creative thinking, and creative
writing.
