For nearly a decade Nontsizi Mgqwetho contributed poetry to a Johannesburg newspaper, Umteteli wa Bantu, the first and only female poet to produce a substantial body of work in isi Xhosa. Apart from what is revealed in these writings, very little is known about her life. She explodes on the scene with her swaggering, urgent, confrontational woman’s poetry on 23 October 1920, sends poems to the newspaper regularly throughout the three years from 1924 to 1926, withdraws for two years until two final poems appear in December 1928 and January 1929, then disappears into the shrouding silence she first burst from. Nothing more is heard from her, but the poetry she left immediately claims for her the status of one of the greatest literary artists ever to write in isi Xhosa, an anguished voice of an urban woman confronting male dominance, ineffective leadership, black apathy, white malice and indifference, economic exploitation and a tragic history of nineteenth-century territorial and cultural dispossession.
The Nation’s Bounty contains the original poems alongside English translations by Jeff Opland. It was the first of a number of new titles planned for release in the African Treasury Series, a premier collection of texts by South Africa’s pioneers of African literature and written in indigenous languages. First published by Wits University Press in the 1940s, the series provided a voice for the voiceless and celebrated African culture, history and heritage. It continues to make a contribution by supporting current efforts to empower and develop the status of African languages in South Africa.
Table of Content
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1: Imbongi u Chizama: Chizama the poet
Chapter 2: Imbongikazi Nontsizi u Chizama: Nontsizi Chizama, the woman poet
Chapter 3: [Uqekeko Iwe Congress]: [The split within Congress]
Chapter 4: Imbongikazi No ”Abantu-Batho”: The woman poet and Abantu-Batho
Chapter 5: Iziko le Nyembezi: The vale of tears
Chapter 6: Imbongi ye Zibuko: The poet of the ford
Chapter 7: Umpanga ka Mama: Mama’s death
Chapter 8: Ingxoxo yo Mginwa ku Magqoboka!: A Red debates with Christians
Chapter 9: Unyikimo Lomhlaba-E-Rautini: Johannesburg earthquake
Chapter 10: Maibuye! I Afrika! Awu!: Come back, Africa! Awu!
Chapter 11: Yacombuluka! Inamba u 1923 ebisoloko ifukamele ukunduluka: A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves! (1923)
Chapter 12: Ufikile! Udubulesendlwini bac’ol’i nto emnyango! Kuse beyifanisa (New Year): Its here! Find-at-the-Door-What-you-Shot-from-Inside and only later identified! (New Year)
Chapter 13: Pulapulani! Makowetu: Listen, compatriots!
Chapter 14: Abaprofeti benyaniso-nabo-buxoki: Prophets false and true
Chapter 15: Zatsha! Inkomo Nomazakuzaku!: Something’s coming!
Chapter 16: Induli ka Xakeka!-Enyukwa ngu Ntu!!: The hill Difficulty the black man scales
Chapter 17: Umanyano! Basebenzi Abantsundu!!: Unity black workers!
Chapter 18: Umpanga! ka Rev B.S. Mazwi: The loss of Rev B.S. Mazwi
Chapter 19: Vumisani! kwi Nyange Lemihla!!: Consult the ancient sage!
Chapter 20: Ingwe Idla Ngamabala!!: Spots feed the leopard
Chapter 21: I Afrika ihleli Ayiyangandawo!!: Africa stayed! She’s nowhere else!!
Chapter 22: Ikona na Intaba Oyaziyo? Kwezi Zimiyo Eyaka Yafuduka?: Show me the mountain that packed up and left
Chapter 23: Isimbonono Saba Zali!!: Lament of the parents
Chapter 24: Zipina Inkokeli Ezinje ngo Daniel?: Where are leaders like Daniel?
Chapter 25: Ifikile! Ingqongqo Yomnqamlezo!! (Good Friday).: He’s here! The Drum of the Cross!! (Good Friday)
Chapter 26: Sicope Emasebeni Emiti Njengentaka!!: We perch like birds on twigs
Chapter 27: Iziko Lenyembezi!!: The vale of tears
Chapter 28: Sahluke Pina Tina ku Kayin?: How do we differ from Cain?
Chapter 29: Izibuko!!: A ford!
Chapter 30: Ukutala! Ikwakukuvuma!!: Silence implies consent
Chapter 31: Umanyano! Nomfela ndawonye!!: Prayer Union and Die-As-One
Chapter 32: Kuguzulwa Okumkani! Kumiswe Okumkani!!: The king is dead! Long live the king!
Chapter 33: Isizwe! Esingavaniyo! Nesingavelaniyo! Siyadwatywa Zezinye!!: Strangers strip a squabbling nation
Chapter 34: Utywala Sisiqu Sempundulu!: Liquor’s the lightning-bird itself
Chapter 35: Siyayibinza!-I Afrika!!: We’re stabbing Africa!
Chapter 36: Imimiselo ye Zizwe! Iwugqwetile Lomhlaba ka Palo!: Foreign laws have upended this land of Phalo!
Chapter 37: Izililo! Ze Afrika!!: Africa’s wailings
Chapter 38: Emva! Kumasiko Andulo!!: Back to age-old ways!
Chapter 39: Abafazi! Bomtandazo!! Pulapula!!!: Women of the Prayer Unions. Listen!
Chapter 40: Saxulutywa!-Ngamatye Omsebenzi!!: Our efforts stone us!
Chapter 41: Mene! Mene! Tekele! Ufarsin!!: Mene! Mene! Tekel! Parsin!!
Chapter 42: ”Masizake”!! Yin’ nale!!!: What’s this? Let’s build for each other!
Chapter 43: ”Ub’inqo”! We-Afrika!!: Africa’s petticoat
Chapter 44: Umfula! Wosizi!!: The stream of despair
Chapter 45: Ziyazaliseka-Ngoku! Izihlabo ko Ntsundu!! Pulapula!!!: The prophecies about blacks have now come to pass! Listen!
Chapter 46: Ingonyama! Yobumnyama Isagquma!!: The lion of blackness still roars
Chapter 47: Amaqaba! Pulapula.: Reds! Listen
Chapter 48: Singu-Ndabamlonyeni!: We’re the topic of talk
Chapter 49: Lunguza! Ku-ya-sa: Take a look, dawn’s breaking
Chapter 50: Sesanina? Esisimb’onono?: What’s this lament?
Chapter 51: Lityumtyum! E-Afrika!! Pulapula!!!: Something’s rotten in Africa. Listen!
Chapter 52: Inyikima e Rautini! Gqala esase Sodom!!: Joburg earthquake: remember Sodom
Chapter 53: Wabutwana-Afrika? Njengezitungu-Zesanda?: Are you bundled for threshing, Africa?
Chapter 54: Yintsomi yo Nomeva!!: The tale of the wasps
Chapter 55: Ukuba Umntu! Akakawazi!! Ukuyongamela Eyake-Indlu!!! Angatinina Ukupata Isizwe Sika Tixo?: If a man can’t rule his own house, how would he manage God’s nation?
Chapter 56: Hosanna!! Melkizedek!!! (Xmas): Hosanna! Melchizedek!! (Xmas)
Chapter 57: Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa! Zeza Nenkungu!!: They are stealing our cattle on misty plains!
Chapter 58: Yaqengqelekana Iminyaka Umi Ndaweninye?: Will the years roll by while you mark time?
Chapter 59: Watsha Umzi! Lupawu Luka Kayini!! (Passport): The mark of Cam (the pass) enflames the land
Chapter 60: Ubusuku-Bunzulu! Ekuzeni-Kokusa!!: The night is deep before the dawn
Chapter 61: Wazinyatela na? Intombi Zezwe Lako Zibe Ngamakoboka?: Are you trampling your nation’s girls to enslave them?
Chapter 62: Lipina Iqula Lamanzi e Afrika?: Where’s a well in Africa?
Chapter 63: Tabata! Naso Isitshixo!! Esikinxe Izwe Lako!!!: There’s the key to the lock on your land: take it!
Chapter 64: Vumani! Siyavuma!!: ”Agree!” ”Agreed!!”
Chapter 65: Zapela Inkomo! Luqaulo Lwemitshato!!: Cattle are lost in divorce
Chapter 66: Mazibhange! Izikumbuzo Ezingenalo u Manyano: Stop the divisive commemorations
Chapter 67: Wapulwana Afrika Njengesitya Esingananziweyo?: Africa, are you trashed like a worthless plate?
Chapter 68: Siyavuma!!: Agreed!
Chapter 69: Ngubani Oti Ukuvumisa Akufuneki?: Who said there’s no need of divination?
Chapter 70: Tsheca-Lomgibe!!: Snap this snare
Chapter 71: Ukuxoka! Pulapula!!: Gossip! Listen!!
Chapter 72: Nantso-Igushakazi! Pantsi Kwabaguguli!! (Good Friday): Behold the lamb set for shearing (Good Fiiday)
Chapter 73: Qengqa!-Elolitye!! (Easter): Roll back the stone! (Easter)
Chapter 74: Tixo Wam! Tixo Wam! Undishiyelanina?: My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?
Chapter 75: Hambani! Niyekuzenza Abafundi Zonke Intlanga!!: Go forth and teach all nations
Chapter 76: Siyakuzizekela Ninina Uzuko?: When will we gain ourselves glory?
Chapter 77: Hosanna! Cibi Elino Mnqwazi Ngapezulu!! (Xmas): Hosanna, Lake with a bonnet on top! (Xmas)
Chapter 78: Zemk’ Inkomo Zetafa!! 1925: On the plains they’re stealing our cattle! 1925
Chapter 79: Yaqengqelekana Yonke Iminyaka Umi ndaweninye? (1926): Will the years all roll by while you mark time? (1926)
Chapter 80: Ilizwe-Liyakutungwa-Njengengubo!!: The country will be patched like clothing!!
Chapter 81: Umanyano! Mihlamb’ Eyalanayo!!: Unity, diverse sheep!!
Chapter 82: Nalo Igazi! Lidyob’ Umzimba Wake!! (Good Friday): Look at his blood-flecked body (Good Friday)
Chapter 83: Vuyani! Uxolile u Tixo Wezulu! (Easter): Agree! God in heaven’s reconciled!! (Easter)
Chapter 84: Umona! Pulapula!!: Envy! Listen!!
Chapter 85: Simi pina?: Where do we stand?
Chapter 86: Isizwe Esingena Tixo Siyatshabalala: A godless nation perishes
Chapter 87: U-Yehova Uyasivana?: Does Jehovah hear us?
Chapter 88: Namhla Izwi Lake Lise Zaqwitini!! (Usuku loku Nyukela): Today he roars in a whirlwind! (Ascension Day)
Chapter 89: Isimbonono se Afrika!!: Africa’s lament!!
Chapter 90: Utando!!: Love!!
Chapter 91: Umanyano Nomfela Ndawonye!: Prayer Union and Die-As-One
Chapter 92: Yeyapina Lemfundiso?: Where does this teaching come from?
Chapter 93: Siyayikumbula Njena Indlala?: Do we remember the famine?
Chapter 94: Uvelwano! Pulapula!!: Sympathy! Listen!!
Chapter 95: Yacombuluka Inamba Ebisoloke Ifukamele Ukunduluka (Abefundisi): A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves (Ministers)
Chapter 96: Umonde!!: Patience
Chapter 97: Yayisenzelwa Ntonina i Bhaibhile?: Why was the bible created?
Chapter 98: Azi Le Afrika Iyakuze Ibuye na?: Will this Africa ever come back?
Chapter 99: Vumani! Siyavuma!!: ”Agree!” ”Agreed!!”
Chapter 100: Lomzi Wakona na Sawubizana?: Did we invite this nation of theirs?
Chapter 101: Sabelani Niyabizwa Balindi: Watchmen, respond: you’re summoned!!
Chapter 102: Gqumani Zilwandle! Gcobani Mihlaba! (Xmas): Roar, oceans! Frolic, continents!! (Xmas)
Chapter 103: Zemk’Inkomo Zetafa-Vula Ndingene!: On the plains they’re stealing our cattle!
Notes
Bibliography
About the author
Jeff Opland is Visiting Professor of African Language and Literatures at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and Research Fellow in the Department of African Languages at the University of South Africa, Pretoria.
More ebooks from the same author(s) / Editor
67,644 Ebooks in this category
