Mafika
Gwala, the recently departed South African writer, was one of the most important
black poets churned out in the 60s and 70s.
His name was synonymous with the era of Black Consciousness - epitomised by Steve Biko - a rousing clarion call of many black intellectuals. Gwala over the years would go on to publish a fair amount of poetry embodying his vision and commitment.
Gwala was a
teacher, mentor, a Zulu purist, researcher and idealist. He lived to see the
free South Africa he had dreamed of in his youth.
Ironically, the media fraternity has been excited about
latest rounds of several memorial events to mark Black Consciousness leader the
late Steve Biko. Obviously when
September month begins in South Africa many people are enormously concerned
about the commemoration of the life time of Mr Biko. Biko and other prominent leaders of Black
Consciousness movement were on the mission to bring about consciousness among
the stigmatize, marginalize and oppressed majority of black people. At the time their activities were viewed as a
menace to white minority rule.
Therefore, during the September month usually South Africans, Africans
throughout the continent and abroad proudly delight themselves to give their
earnest attention in celebrating the dramatic life time of Steve Biko.
However, the shocking news of the sudden
death of the one of the great bards that Africa ever produced and the loyal
activist of Black Consciousness too has left many people gloomy and sad. Mr Mafika Gwala’s death has a lot of lessons
to offer. Africa has lost one of the
most important fine poets who contributed largely in literature. As one of the early Black Consciousness
Movement leader he strongly expressed his discontent against apartheid with his
breathtaking poems.
“We honoured him because we felt he hasn’t been honoured the way he should’ve been,” poet Robert Berold told the M&G. Berold’s favourite poem by Gwala is Getting off the Ride, also published in 1977. “His poetry has a powerful force and it always moved me; it remains strong even though the political circumstances have changed.” According to Berold, Gwala had been ill for quite some time and his health had not improved during his visit to Grahamstown for his tribute.
There is lot that the world can learn about
Mr Gwala’s life of struggle and of being an excellent wordsmith who is highly
recognized as one of the catalyst of literature in Africa. Firstly, he was very resolute and optimistic
about the future attainment of social justice and equality of black people in
South Africa. Secondly, his ability to
deny infelicitous injustice against black people to discourage and ultimately
eliminate him was sublime.
Specifically, he wrote his poems to
inspire. Apparently, many literary
pundits will agree that his aptitude to write his poems - both in English and
Zulu was resoundingly great. This is a
poet who was willing to motivate black people during the difficult times and he
continues to inspire even after freedom in South Africa. Africa must count itself blessed by the
sacrifice and the literary flair of the person of Mr Gwala. His life time present the imperative
knowledge which I think it will be judicious for people to gain that
knowledgeable insight which was well entrenched in him. This is what he used to say “We didn’t take
Black Consciousness as a kind of Bible, it was just a trend, which was a
necessary one because it meant bringing in what the white opposition [to
apartheid] couldn’t bring into the struggle. So much was brought into the
struggle through Black Consciousness. “
Inevitably, Africa is still experiencing
uphill situation and flagrantly the struggle continues. The example which Mr Gwala left must be a
continuous legacy that inspires perpetually.
It cannot be tolerated to see young emerging poets in Africa intending
to destroy the genuine foundation of poetry that was established with immense
sacrifices and stupendous efforts.
Today we see some people who claim to be poets doing what is contrary to
genuine African poetry. They are known
by impressive fashion outlook, their shocking ignorance of their own history, boasting
on stages in the theatres, only just to be seen that their poets. African
poetry in the similar spirit of the superlative and winsome Gwala must stand to
live on forever.
Below is one of his scintillating poems which
dramatically ventilates how Dompas (Apartheid passport) was scurrilous and
ludicrous for the oppressed black people at the time:
Kwela-Ride
Dompas!
I looked back
Dompas!
I went through my pockets
Not there.
They bit into my flesh (handcuffs).
Came the kwela-kwela
We crawled in.
The young men sang.
In that dark moment
It all became familiar.
– Mafika Pascal Gwala
Unfortunately so many of our limited modern
poets only concentrate in speaking about their status, luxury life and their ‘hoodwinked’
feelings, and disappointingly neglect issues that are daunting and devastating
Africa and its people. Such poems are
precarious and not apposite with African standard of poetry. It will be utterly disgusting to appreciate
and give plaudits for tosh that does not inspire. Ebola epidemic, HIV/AIDS, corruption in
African governments, terrorist attacks and so on are treacherous and
threatening the peace and survival of Africa.
Mr Gwala was not recreant and quiescent about the intention of the
apartheid system to lobotomize black people in South Africa, rather he chose to
remain prodigious until apartheid was defeated.
Rest in peace son of the soil – rest in peace son of Africa!!!
Selected Bibliography
Jol'iinkomo
No more Lullabies
Black Review
Musho! Zulu Popular Praises
- Tribute by Ishmael Mzwandile Soqaga
No comments:
Post a Comment