Mazisi (Raymond) Kunene (1930 – 2006) was an
exceedingly distinguished
South African poet best known for his astonishing epic poem (book)
Emperor Shaka the Great. Before his death he was acknowledged as
African, and South African poet laureate.
From a very early age, Kunene began writing poetry and short stories
in Zulu, and later on his output became out of this world. He studied
at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London and was closely
affiliated with the African National Congress, acknowledged as their
main representative in Europe and the United States in 1962. His works
were written originally in Zulu and then translated into English.
UNESCO made him Africa's poet laureate in 1993, and in 2005 he became
the poet laureate of South Africa.
His published works include:
Zulu Poems (1970) Emperor Shaka the Great: A Zulu Epic (1979) Anthem
of the Decades: A Zulu Epic Dedicated to the Women of Africa (1981)
The Ancestors and the Sacred Mountain: Poems (1982), Isibusiso
Sikamhawu, Indida Yamancasakazi, Amalokotho Kanomkhubulwane, Umzwilili
wama-Afrika, Kagiso, Igudu lika Somcabeko.
South African poet best known for his astonishing epic poem (book)
Emperor Shaka the Great. Before his death he was acknowledged as
African, and South African poet laureate.
From a very early age, Kunene began writing poetry and short stories
in Zulu, and later on his output became out of this world. He studied
at the School of Oriental and African Studies, London and was closely
affiliated with the African National Congress, acknowledged as their
main representative in Europe and the United States in 1962. His works
were written originally in Zulu and then translated into English.
UNESCO made him Africa's poet laureate in 1993, and in 2005 he became
the poet laureate of South Africa.
His published works include:
Zulu Poems (1970) Emperor Shaka the Great: A Zulu Epic (1979) Anthem
of the Decades: A Zulu Epic Dedicated to the Women of Africa (1981)
The Ancestors and the Sacred Mountain: Poems (1982), Isibusiso
Sikamhawu, Indida Yamancasakazi, Amalokotho Kanomkhubulwane, Umzwilili
wama-Afrika, Kagiso, Igudu lika Somcabeko.
Studies:
Myth, history and politics in Mazisi Kunene's epic poetry by Ernest
Mathabela
Orality versus literacy in Mazisi Kunene's Emperor Shaka the Great by
Wole Ogundele )
Literary portraits of Chaka : Thomas Mofolo and Mazisi Kunene by
Charles Bodunde
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