Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- The Xhosa Poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho
- 1 Imbongi u Chizama Chizama the poet
- 2 Imbongikazi Nontsizi u Chizama Nontsizi Chizama, the woman poet
- 3 [Uqekeko lwe Congress] [The split within Congress]
- 4 Imbongikazi No “Abantu-Batho” The woman poet and Abantu-Batho
- 5 Iziko le Nyembezi The vale of tears
- 6 Imbongi ye Zibuko The poet of the ford
- 7 Umpanga ka Mama Mama's death
- 8 Ingxoxo yo Mginwa ku Magqoboka! A Red debates with Christians
- 9 Unyikimo Lomhlaba-E-Rautini Johannesburg earthquake
- 10 Maibuye! I Afrika! Awu! Come back, Africa! Awu!
- 11 Yacombuluka! Inamba u 1923 ebisoloko ifukamele ukunduluka A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves! (1923)
- 12 Ufikile! Udubulesendlwini bac'ol'i nto emnyango! Kuse beyifanisa (New Year) It's here! Find-at-the-Door-What-you-Shot-from-Inside and only later identified! (New Year)
- 13 Pulapulani! Makowetu Listen, compatriots!
- 14 Abaprofeti benyaniso-nabo-buxoki Prophets false and true
- 15 Zatsha! Inkomo Nomazakuzaku! Something's coming!
- 16 Induli ka Xakeka!—Enyukwa ngu Ntu!! The hill Difficulty the black man scales
- 17 Umanyano! Basebenzi Abantsundu!! Unity, black workers!
- 18 Umpanga! ka Rev BS Mazwi The loss of Rev BS Mazwi
- 19 Vumisani! kwi Nyange Lemihla!! Consult the ancient sage!
- 20 Ingwe Idla Ngamabala!! Spots feed the leopard
- 21 I Afrika ihleli Ayiyangandawo!! Africa stayed! She's nowhere else!!
- 22 Ikona na Intaba Oyaziyo? Kwezi Zimiyo Eyaka Yafuduka? Show me the mountain that packed up and left
- 23 Isimbonono Saba Zali!! Lament of the parents
- 24 Zipina Inkokeli Ezinje ngo Daniel? Where are leaders like Daniel?
- 25 Ifikile! Ingqongqo Yomnqamlezo!! (Good Friday) He's here! The Drum of the Cross!! (Good Friday)
- 26 Sicope Emasebeni Emiti Njengentaka!! We perch like birds on twigs
- 27 Iziko Lenyembezi!! The vale of tears
- 28 Sahluke Pina Tina ku Kayin? How do we differ from Cain?
- 29 Izibuko!! A ford!
- 30 Ukutula! Ikwakukuvuma!! Silence implies consent
- 31 Umanyano! Nomfela ndawonye!! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 32 Kuguzulwa Okumkani! Kumiswe Okumkani!! The king is dead! Long live the king!
- 33 Isizwe! Esingavaniyo! Nesingavelaniyo! Siyadwatywa Zezinye!! Strangers strip a squabbling nation
- 34 Utywala Sisiqu Sempundulu! Liquor's the lightning-bird itself
- 35 Siyayibinza!—I Afrika!! We're stabbing Africa!
- 36 Imimiselo ye Zizwe! Iwugqwetile Lomhlaba ka Palo! Foreign laws have upended this land of Phalo!
- 37 Izililo! Ze Afrika!! Africa's wailings
- 38 Emva! Kumasiko Andulo!! Back to age-old ways!
- 39 Abafazi! Bomtandazo!! Pulapula!!! Women of the Prayer Unions Listen!
- 40 Saxulutywa!—Ngamatye Omsebenzi!! Our efforts stone us!
- 41 Mene! Mene! Tekele! Ufarsin!! Mene! Mene! Tekel! Parsin!!
- 42 “Masizake”!! Yin’ nale!!! What's this? Let's build for each other!
- 43 “Ub'inqo”! We-Afrika!! Africa's petticoat
- 44 Umfula! Wosizi!! The stream of despair
- 45 Ziyazaliseka—Ngoku! Izihlabo ko Ntsundu!! Pulapula!!! The prophecies about blacks have now come to pass! Listen!
- 46 Ingonyama! Yobumnyama Isagquma!! The lion of blackness still roars
- 47 Amaqaba! Pulapula Reds! Listen
- 48 Singu-Ndabamlonyeni! We're the topic of talk
- 49 Lunguza! Ku-ya-sa Take a look, dawn's breaking
- 50 Sesanina? Esisimb'onono? What's this lament?
- 51 Lityumtyum! E-Afrika!! Pulapula!!! Something's rotten in Africa Listen!
- 52 Inyikima e Rautini! Gqala esase Sodom!! Joburg earthquake: remember Sodom
- 53 Wabutwana—Afrika? Njengezitungu—Zesanda? Are you bundled for threshing, Africa?
- 54 Yintsomi yo Nomeva!! The tale of the wasps
- 55 Ukuba Umntu! Akakwazi!! Ukuyongamela Eyake-Indlu!!! Angatinina Ukupata Isizwe Sika Tixo? If a man can't rule his own house, how would he manage God's nation?
- 56 Hosanna!! Melkizedek!!! (Xmas) Hosanna! Melchizedek!! (Xmas)
- 57 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa! Zeza Nenkungu!! They are stealing our cattle on misty plains!
- 58 Yaqengqelekana Iminyaka Umi Ndaweninye? Will the years roll by while you mark time?
- 59 Watsha Umzi! Lupawu Luka Kayini!! (Passport) The mark of Cain (the pass) enflames the land
- 60 Ubusuku—Bunzulu! Ekuzeni—Kokusa!! The night is deep before the dawn
- 61 Wazinyatela na? Intombi Zezwe Lako Zibe Ngamakoboka? Are you trampling your nation's girls to enslave them?
- 62 Lipina Iqula Lamanzi e Afrika? Where's a well in Africa?
- 63 Tabata! Naso Isitshixo!! Esikinxe Izwe Lako!!! There's the key to the lock on your land: take it!
- 64 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 65 Zapela Inkomo! Luqaulo Lwemitshato!! Cattle are lost in divorce
- 66 Mazibhange! Izikumbuzo Ezingenalo u Manyano Stop the divisive commemorations
- 67 Wapulwana Afrika Njengesitya Esingananziweyo? Africa, are you trashed like a worthless plate?
- 68 Siyavuma!! Agreed!
- 69 Ngubani Oti Ukuvumisa Akufuneki? Who said there's no need of divination?
- 70 Tsheca-Lomgibe!! Snap this snare
- 71 Ukuxoka! Pulapula!! Gossip! Listen!!
- 72 Nantso-Igushakazi! Pantsi Kwabaguguli!! (Good Friday) Behold the lamb set for shearing (Good Friday)
- 73 Qengqa!-Elolitye!! (Easter) Roll back the stone! (Easter)
- 74 Tixo Wam! Tixo Wam! Undishiyelanina? My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?
- 75 Hambani! Niyekuzenza Abafundi Zonke Intlanga!! Go forth and teach all nations
- 76 Siyakuzizekela Ninina Uzuko? When will we gain ourselves glory?
- 77 Hosanna! Cibi Elino Mnqwazi Ngapezulu!! (Xmas) Hosanna, Lake with a bonnet on top! (Xmas)
- 78 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa!! 1925 On the plains they're stealing our cattle! 1925
- 79 Yaqengqelekana Yonke Iminyaka Umi ndaweninye? (1926) Will the years all roll by while you mark time? (1926)
- 80 Ilizwe-Liyakutungwa-Njengengubo!! The country will be patched like clothing!!
- 81 Umanyano! Mihlamb’ Eyalanayo!! Unity, diverse sheep!!
- 82 Nalo Igazi! Lidyob’ Umzimba Wake!! (Good Friday) Look at his blood-flecked body (Good Friday)
- 83 Vuyani! Uxolile u Tixo Wezulu! (Easter) Agree! God in heaven's reconciled!! (Easter)
- 84 Umona! Pulapula!! Envy! Listen!!
- 85 Simi pina? Where do we stand?
- 86 Isizwe Esingena Tixo Siyatshabalala A godless nation perishes
- 87 U-Yehova Uyasivana? Does Jehovah hear us?
- 88 Namhla Izwi Lake Lise Zaqwitini!! (Usuku loku Nyukela) Today he roars in a whirlwind! (Ascension Day)
- 89 Isimbonono se Afrika!! Africa's lament!!
- 90 Utando!! Love!!
- 91 Umanyano Nomfela Ndawonye! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 92 Yeyapina Lemfundiso? Where does this teaching come from?
- 93 Siyayikumbula Njena Indlala? Do we remember the famine?
- 94 Uvelwano! Pulapula!! Sympathy! Listen!!
- 95 Yacombuluka Inamba Ebisoloke Ifukamele Ukunduluka (Abefundisi) A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves (Ministers)
- 96 Umonde!! Patience
- 97 Yayisenzelwa Ntonina i Bhaibhile? Why was the bible created?
- 98 Azi Le Afrika Iyakuze Ibuye na? Will this Africa ever come back?
- 99 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 100 Lomzi Wakona na Sawubizana? Did we invite this nation of theirs?
- 101 Sabelani Niyabizwa Balindi Watchmen, respond: you're summoned!!
- 102 Gqumani Zilwandle! Gcobani Mihlaba! (Xmas) Roar, oceans! Frolic, continents!! (Xmas)
- 103 Zemk'Inkomo Zetafa—Vula Ndingene! On the plains they're stealing our cattle!
- Notes
- Bibliography
98 - Azi Le Afrika Iyakuze Ibuye na? Will this Africa ever come back?
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 11 June 2019
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- The Xhosa Poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho
- 1 Imbongi u Chizama Chizama the poet
- 2 Imbongikazi Nontsizi u Chizama Nontsizi Chizama, the woman poet
- 3 [Uqekeko lwe Congress] [The split within Congress]
- 4 Imbongikazi No “Abantu-Batho” The woman poet and Abantu-Batho
- 5 Iziko le Nyembezi The vale of tears
- 6 Imbongi ye Zibuko The poet of the ford
- 7 Umpanga ka Mama Mama's death
- 8 Ingxoxo yo Mginwa ku Magqoboka! A Red debates with Christians
- 9 Unyikimo Lomhlaba-E-Rautini Johannesburg earthquake
- 10 Maibuye! I Afrika! Awu! Come back, Africa! Awu!
- 11 Yacombuluka! Inamba u 1923 ebisoloko ifukamele ukunduluka A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves! (1923)
- 12 Ufikile! Udubulesendlwini bac'ol'i nto emnyango! Kuse beyifanisa (New Year) It's here! Find-at-the-Door-What-you-Shot-from-Inside and only later identified! (New Year)
- 13 Pulapulani! Makowetu Listen, compatriots!
- 14 Abaprofeti benyaniso-nabo-buxoki Prophets false and true
- 15 Zatsha! Inkomo Nomazakuzaku! Something's coming!
- 16 Induli ka Xakeka!—Enyukwa ngu Ntu!! The hill Difficulty the black man scales
- 17 Umanyano! Basebenzi Abantsundu!! Unity, black workers!
- 18 Umpanga! ka Rev BS Mazwi The loss of Rev BS Mazwi
- 19 Vumisani! kwi Nyange Lemihla!! Consult the ancient sage!
- 20 Ingwe Idla Ngamabala!! Spots feed the leopard
- 21 I Afrika ihleli Ayiyangandawo!! Africa stayed! She's nowhere else!!
- 22 Ikona na Intaba Oyaziyo? Kwezi Zimiyo Eyaka Yafuduka? Show me the mountain that packed up and left
- 23 Isimbonono Saba Zali!! Lament of the parents
- 24 Zipina Inkokeli Ezinje ngo Daniel? Where are leaders like Daniel?
- 25 Ifikile! Ingqongqo Yomnqamlezo!! (Good Friday) He's here! The Drum of the Cross!! (Good Friday)
- 26 Sicope Emasebeni Emiti Njengentaka!! We perch like birds on twigs
- 27 Iziko Lenyembezi!! The vale of tears
- 28 Sahluke Pina Tina ku Kayin? How do we differ from Cain?
- 29 Izibuko!! A ford!
- 30 Ukutula! Ikwakukuvuma!! Silence implies consent
- 31 Umanyano! Nomfela ndawonye!! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 32 Kuguzulwa Okumkani! Kumiswe Okumkani!! The king is dead! Long live the king!
- 33 Isizwe! Esingavaniyo! Nesingavelaniyo! Siyadwatywa Zezinye!! Strangers strip a squabbling nation
- 34 Utywala Sisiqu Sempundulu! Liquor's the lightning-bird itself
- 35 Siyayibinza!—I Afrika!! We're stabbing Africa!
- 36 Imimiselo ye Zizwe! Iwugqwetile Lomhlaba ka Palo! Foreign laws have upended this land of Phalo!
- 37 Izililo! Ze Afrika!! Africa's wailings
- 38 Emva! Kumasiko Andulo!! Back to age-old ways!
- 39 Abafazi! Bomtandazo!! Pulapula!!! Women of the Prayer Unions Listen!
- 40 Saxulutywa!—Ngamatye Omsebenzi!! Our efforts stone us!
- 41 Mene! Mene! Tekele! Ufarsin!! Mene! Mene! Tekel! Parsin!!
- 42 “Masizake”!! Yin’ nale!!! What's this? Let's build for each other!
- 43 “Ub'inqo”! We-Afrika!! Africa's petticoat
- 44 Umfula! Wosizi!! The stream of despair
- 45 Ziyazaliseka—Ngoku! Izihlabo ko Ntsundu!! Pulapula!!! The prophecies about blacks have now come to pass! Listen!
- 46 Ingonyama! Yobumnyama Isagquma!! The lion of blackness still roars
- 47 Amaqaba! Pulapula Reds! Listen
- 48 Singu-Ndabamlonyeni! We're the topic of talk
- 49 Lunguza! Ku-ya-sa Take a look, dawn's breaking
- 50 Sesanina? Esisimb'onono? What's this lament?
- 51 Lityumtyum! E-Afrika!! Pulapula!!! Something's rotten in Africa Listen!
- 52 Inyikima e Rautini! Gqala esase Sodom!! Joburg earthquake: remember Sodom
- 53 Wabutwana—Afrika? Njengezitungu—Zesanda? Are you bundled for threshing, Africa?
- 54 Yintsomi yo Nomeva!! The tale of the wasps
- 55 Ukuba Umntu! Akakwazi!! Ukuyongamela Eyake-Indlu!!! Angatinina Ukupata Isizwe Sika Tixo? If a man can't rule his own house, how would he manage God's nation?
- 56 Hosanna!! Melkizedek!!! (Xmas) Hosanna! Melchizedek!! (Xmas)
- 57 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa! Zeza Nenkungu!! They are stealing our cattle on misty plains!
- 58 Yaqengqelekana Iminyaka Umi Ndaweninye? Will the years roll by while you mark time?
- 59 Watsha Umzi! Lupawu Luka Kayini!! (Passport) The mark of Cain (the pass) enflames the land
- 60 Ubusuku—Bunzulu! Ekuzeni—Kokusa!! The night is deep before the dawn
- 61 Wazinyatela na? Intombi Zezwe Lako Zibe Ngamakoboka? Are you trampling your nation's girls to enslave them?
- 62 Lipina Iqula Lamanzi e Afrika? Where's a well in Africa?
- 63 Tabata! Naso Isitshixo!! Esikinxe Izwe Lako!!! There's the key to the lock on your land: take it!
- 64 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 65 Zapela Inkomo! Luqaulo Lwemitshato!! Cattle are lost in divorce
- 66 Mazibhange! Izikumbuzo Ezingenalo u Manyano Stop the divisive commemorations
- 67 Wapulwana Afrika Njengesitya Esingananziweyo? Africa, are you trashed like a worthless plate?
- 68 Siyavuma!! Agreed!
- 69 Ngubani Oti Ukuvumisa Akufuneki? Who said there's no need of divination?
- 70 Tsheca-Lomgibe!! Snap this snare
- 71 Ukuxoka! Pulapula!! Gossip! Listen!!
- 72 Nantso-Igushakazi! Pantsi Kwabaguguli!! (Good Friday) Behold the lamb set for shearing (Good Friday)
- 73 Qengqa!-Elolitye!! (Easter) Roll back the stone! (Easter)
- 74 Tixo Wam! Tixo Wam! Undishiyelanina? My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?
- 75 Hambani! Niyekuzenza Abafundi Zonke Intlanga!! Go forth and teach all nations
- 76 Siyakuzizekela Ninina Uzuko? When will we gain ourselves glory?
- 77 Hosanna! Cibi Elino Mnqwazi Ngapezulu!! (Xmas) Hosanna, Lake with a bonnet on top! (Xmas)
- 78 Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa!! 1925 On the plains they're stealing our cattle! 1925
- 79 Yaqengqelekana Yonke Iminyaka Umi ndaweninye? (1926) Will the years all roll by while you mark time? (1926)
- 80 Ilizwe-Liyakutungwa-Njengengubo!! The country will be patched like clothing!!
- 81 Umanyano! Mihlamb’ Eyalanayo!! Unity, diverse sheep!!
- 82 Nalo Igazi! Lidyob’ Umzimba Wake!! (Good Friday) Look at his blood-flecked body (Good Friday)
- 83 Vuyani! Uxolile u Tixo Wezulu! (Easter) Agree! God in heaven's reconciled!! (Easter)
- 84 Umona! Pulapula!! Envy! Listen!!
- 85 Simi pina? Where do we stand?
- 86 Isizwe Esingena Tixo Siyatshabalala A godless nation perishes
- 87 U-Yehova Uyasivana? Does Jehovah hear us?
- 88 Namhla Izwi Lake Lise Zaqwitini!! (Usuku loku Nyukela) Today he roars in a whirlwind! (Ascension Day)
- 89 Isimbonono se Afrika!! Africa's lament!!
- 90 Utando!! Love!!
- 91 Umanyano Nomfela Ndawonye! Prayer Union and Die-As-One
- 92 Yeyapina Lemfundiso? Where does this teaching come from?
- 93 Siyayikumbula Njena Indlala? Do we remember the famine?
- 94 Uvelwano! Pulapula!! Sympathy! Listen!!
- 95 Yacombuluka Inamba Ebisoloke Ifukamele Ukunduluka (Abefundisi) A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves (Ministers)
- 96 Umonde!! Patience
- 97 Yayisenzelwa Ntonina i Bhaibhile? Why was the bible created?
- 98 Azi Le Afrika Iyakuze Ibuye na? Will this Africa ever come back?
- 99 Vumani! Siyavuma!! “Agree!” “Agreed!!”
- 100 Lomzi Wakona na Sawubizana? Did we invite this nation of theirs?
- 101 Sabelani Niyabizwa Balindi Watchmen, respond: you're summoned!!
- 102 Gqumani Zilwandle! Gcobani Mihlaba! (Xmas) Roar, oceans! Frolic, continents!! (Xmas)
- 103 Zemk'Inkomo Zetafa—Vula Ndingene! On the plains they're stealing our cattle!
- Notes
- Bibliography
Summary
Editor, thanks for the poets’ column! We can't sip from shallow pools for fear of speaking out. Who in fact are the leaders of this Africa? Let them stoke the fires for there the sparks go swirling today. Compatriots, a great many among us have already lost hope that this Africa will ever come back. Because of the discrimination we practise, we vilify, deride, envy and curse each other; we love free-loading; we put the lid on bringing Africa home, and court high positions and famous names. And if we could we would even remove the kings who were established in their positions by God. I snarl at those who've already lost this hope. Because there isn't one of the very qualities I've listed that we're innocent of. In truth I've given up. I swear by Ndlambe—was his country ever in such a state? What nation is this whose milk lacks strength to reach the milksacks? But for all that let's not lose hope. Consult Isaiah 40: 27-31. Read it for yourself. The bibles are here.
Jehovah, replenish our days on earth,
as you did in the time of our fathers.
Did you forsake us forever,
Elephant grazing the plains of Canaan?
Jehovah, replenish our days on earth,
as you did in the time of our fathers,
Beater of Sandile's drum,
Langalibalele's black cow.
This land of Africa's ours,
but we sank in pools through our folly.
Africa stayed; she's nowhere else.
Use a grass skirt when you can't go out.
You see, my people, we're old,
truth threw us long ago,
as we idly bicker we're left in the dust
and Africa slips through our fingers forever.
When we offer advice knowing little
you say He'll descend knowing all.
God offers no hope at all
that He'll ever, ever speak to you.
Will this Africa ever come back?
They say, “Jehovah, can you hear?”
Their country makes them froth at the mouth.
Ach, bo! they ground me fine as flour.
It will come back, I say, like it or not,
despite your screaming and kicking.
Isaiah says: “These are my words;
tell your people I'm the one talking.”
Unity's our only strength,
it alone can nourish us.
And Jesus descended from heaven with love
to unify heaven and earth.
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- Nation's BountyThe Xhosa Poetry of Nontsizi Mgqwetho, pp. 424 - 427Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2007