Inzuzo By Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi

ISBN: 9781776149162

Wits University Press, 1 September 2024

Paperback, 152 pages

Inzuzo is a classic anthology of S.E.K. Mqhayi’s poetry from 1943 about nature, social and religious topics, as well as praise poems about historical events and people that had a significant impact on society. Mqhayi was a pioneer in combining modern versification with the diction and artistic form of izibongo (praise-poems) in his writing.

Inzuzo is a classic poetry collection from 1943 that comprises five sections: Izabelo (Distributions), Izibongo ezingokufa nokuthwasa komnyaka (Poems about death and the beginning of the year), Izibongo ezingabafi bethu (Poems about the dead), Izibongo ngabawele iilwandle (Poems about people who have travelled overseas) and Ingqokelela (Collection). In each section, Mqhayi proved himself to be a literary writer with the ability and skill to combine the style of a traditional poet with modern poetry. This ability is most evident in the first section called Izabelo with poems that are composed in a manner that demonstrate western influence in their structure.

Mqhayi’s poetry is also a storehouse of historical events as depicted in poems such Umnyaka omtsha, 1915 (New Year 1915), Aa! Zweliyazuza! (Hail Great Britain on whom the sun never sets!), and Umfikazi uCharlotte Manyhi Maxeke, a tribute to Charlotte Manyhi Maxeke. In these poems, his masterful style as a praise poet is distinct.

The poems contained in the book portray Mqhayi as a religious poet, social poet, and poet of the people who took a keen interest in the welfare of his people and embraced African culture. Known as the father of isiXhosa contemporary and traditional poetry, Mqhayi was a well-known imbongi (praise poet) who was revered as Imbongi yeSizwe Jikelele (National Poet).