Zolani Mkiva was born into a poor Xhosa family in Idutywa, South Africa. The family belongs to a renowned line of orators and imbongis (folk poets), and Zolani Mkiva himself grew up to become one of the most famous imbongis of his time. There is no formal training for would-be imbongis: it is a natural gift one inherits from one’s father, who inherited it from his.
Biography sample Zolani Mkiva earned national fame when he acted as imbongi at the celebration of Nelson Mandela’s release from jail. In he was appointed Imbongi Yesiwe, i.e. Poet of the Nation. In television viewers around the world watched his impressive performance at Mandela’s inauguration as President of the Republic.
The imbongis perpetuate Africa’s most ancient oral tradition. In the past they acted as intermediaries between the tribespeople and their leaders, the often timid people making their fears and wishes known through the imbongi. The imbongi also kept alive the acts and events from the tribe’s past. He was a walking chronicle, often endowed with a prodigious memory.
Zolani mkiva biography definition Zolani Mkiva Awarded for: Achieving international recognition in praise poetry and being an outstanding champion of African oral traditions who has done not only South Africa proud, but the continent as a whole. Profile of Zolani Mkiva. Zolani Mkiva, who hails from Idutywa in the Eastern Cape, was born in the seventies to Gindlala.
Another of his tasks was encouraging the warriors of his tribe during fights. His traditional attributes were the spear, the knobkerrie (a fighting-stick) and the fly-swish made of ox-tails.
Zolani Mkiva earned national fame when he acted as imbongi at the celebration of Nelson Mandela’s release from jail.
In he was appointed Imbongi Yesiwe, i.e. Poet of the Nation. In television viewers around the world watched his impressive performance at Mandela’s inauguration as President of the Republic.
Biography definition and examples Zolani Mkiva is one of the youngest practitioners of one of the oldest oral traditions in Africa, Ukubonga (praise singing). Hailing from Dutywa -a small town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, Zolani rose to prominence in when, barely a year after becoming a fully-fledged Imbongi Yesizwe (Poet of the Nation), the schoolboy was called upon to salute with a red hot rendition the.
Since then he has added lustre to many official functions with his powerful presentation, for instance when Walter Sisulu was awarded the freedom of the city of Johannesburg. Zolani Mkiva has received many honours; at a festival in Zimbabwe he was proclaimed King of African Poetry.
This site includes a poem by Zolani Mkiva in print, but only by way of exception.
As a contemporary carrier of the African oral tradition he does not seek publication, but prefers to be heard.
© Jabik Veenbaas (Translated by Ko Kooman)
[Zolani Mkiva took part in the Poetry International Festival Rotterdam This text was written on that occasion.]
Mandela's imbongi features in film