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33 poems by Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi, in isiXhosa and English translation, with a comprehensive introduction
Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi is renowned and justly celebrated as the most accomplished writer in the Xhosa language, the author of collections of poetry, novels, biographies, monographs, translations and an autobiography in book form. Mqhayi's Izibongo Zoogxa is a collection of 33 poems about persons and personages who lived during his lifetime (1875-1945). Originally published in ephemeral newspapers, none of the poems has subsequently been republished; all appear here in more permanent form for the first time.
Mqhayi's poetry was directed at readers of the Xhosa language (isiXhosa) and sought to encourage them, instil in them pride and hope, and sway them towards a more humane disposition. One of the striking features of the poems in this collection is the range of subjects, not just Xhosa but also Zulu, Sotho and Tswana; not just black leaders but white as well; male and female; South African as well as British and German; close friends as well as foreign politicians; chiefs and commoners.
Samuel Mqhayi was a much-admired, much-celebrated poet, a true man of the people, who lived his life, as he signed himself, enkonzweni yesizwe (in the service of the nation). The poems assembled here offer insights not only into their subjects but also into the life and thought of Mqhayi himself, Imbongi yesizwe jikelele (Poet of the entire nation), a cultural icon, humane patriot and passionate inspiration to his people.
University of KwaZulu-Natal Press: Southern African Development Community
Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi is renowned and justly celebrated as the most accomplished writer in the Xhosa language, the author of collections of poetry, novels, biographies, monographs, translations and an autobiography in book form. Mqhayi's Izibongo Zoogxa is a collection of 33 poems about persons and personages who lived during his lifetime (1875-1945). Originally published in ephemeral newspapers, none of the poems has subsequently been republished; all appear here in more permanent form for the first time.
Mqhayi's poetry was directed at readers of the Xhosa language (isiXhosa) and sought to encourage them, instil in them pride and hope, and sway them towards a more humane disposition. One of the striking features of the poems in this collection is the range of subjects, not just Xhosa but also Zulu, Sotho and Tswana; not just black leaders but white as well; male and female; South African as well as British and German; close friends as well as foreign politicians; chiefs and commoners.
Samuel Mqhayi was a much-admired, much-celebrated poet, a true man of the people, who lived his life, as he signed himself, enkonzweni yesizwe (in the service of the nation). The poems assembled here offer insights not only into their subjects but also into the life and thought of Mqhayi himself, Imbongi yesizwe jikelele (Poet of the entire nation), a cultural icon, humane patriot and passionate inspiration to his people.
University of KwaZulu-Natal Press: Southern African Development Community
Price: $120.00
Pages: 288
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Inc.
Imprint: James Currey
Series: Publications of the Opland Collection of Xhosa Literature
Publication Date:
09 December 2025
Trim Size: 9.06 X 5.91 in
ISBN: 9781847014603
Format: Hardcover
BISACs:
POETRY / African, Modern and contemporary poetry (c 1900 onwards), Poetry by individual poets
Foreword by André Odendaal
Introduction
1. Umfikazi u Mbokazi: The late Mbokazi (1902) [Annie Pamla]
2. Anazina ukuba Kumke i Nkosi Namhlanje kwa Sirayeli? Are you not aware that the chief departed Israel today? (1906) [Khona Maqoma]
3. Umfi u Nkwati Bika: The late Nkwati Bika (1907)
4. Umfikazi u Frances Nonhi Mkencele: The late Frances Nonhi Mkencele (1908)
5. Umfi u Thomas Ntintili: The late Thomas Ntintili (1911)
6. U Chief James Mama: Chief James Mama (1911)
7. U-Dalindyebo: Dalindyebo (1911)
8. Umfi u Jonathan Tunyiswa: The late Jonathan Tunyiswa (1913)
9. Umfi u Wm. Kobe Ntsikana: The late William Kobe Ntsikana (1914)
10. Umfi Thos Mbilatsho Mqanda: The late Thomas Mbilatsho Mqanda (1915)
11. Jabavu - Makiwane: Jabavu - Makiwane (1916)
12. Umfi u Rev. Chas. Pamla: The late Rev. Charles Pamla (1917)
13. A - Gweb'inkumbi!!!: Hail, Gwebinkumbi!!! (1921)
14. U Mhlekazi u Sonzobo Libalele Mhala: His Majesty Sonzobo Libalele Mhala (1924)
15. Zachariah Keodirelang Matthews B.A., Edwin Mtobi Ncwana B.A.: Zachariah Keodirelang Matthews B.A., Edwin Mtobi Ncwana B.A. (1924)
16. Umfi u Provincial Wm. Gcule: The late Provincial William Gcule (1926)
17. Umfi u Mpondombini: The late Mpondombini (1927)
18. Umfi Rev. Solomon Kuze: The late Rev. Solomon Kuze (1931)
19. U-Mhlekazi U-Tshekedi: His Majesty Tshekedi (1933)
20. Umfi u President Von Hindenberg: The late President Von Hindenburg (1934)
21. U Dr. R.T. Bokwe: Dr R.T. Bokwe (1934)
22. A, Ngangezwe!!!: Hail, Ngangezwe!!! (1936)
23. Uphumlo Luka Mavigala (Dr. MacVicar): Dr Macvicar's retirement (1938)
24. A! No-Ndwe!! (Mrs. M. Ballinger): Hail! No-Ndwe!! (Mrs M. Ballinger) (1939)
25. A, - Chith' I-Bhunga! (General Smuts): Hail, Chithibhunga! (General Smuts) (1939)
26. Umfi UmHlekazi Seeiso Griffith: His Majesty the late Seeiso Griffith (1941)
27. John Henderson Soga: John Henderson Soga (1941)
28. A Ngangemvula!!! Sir Patrick Duncan: Hail, Ngangemvula!!! Sir Patrick Duncan (1941)
29. E Dikeni!!! [Jimmy Gray, Maya Koboka, James Chalmers, W.L. Geddes, Mary Brown]: Lovedale (1941)
30. A, - Sithwalandwe! Col. The Hon. Denys Reitz: Hail, Sithwalandwe! Col. The Hon. Deneys Reitz (1942)
31. U-Tsalitorho: Gen. Hertzog: Tsalitorho: Gen. Hertzog (1943)
32. Umfi Howard Ben-Mazwi: The late Howard Ben-Mazwi (1943)
33. A, - Zwelizolile!!!, A, - Bambichanti!!!, A, - Zanethongo!!!: [R.H.W. Shepherd, Arthur Wellington, D.A. Hunter] (1944)
Sources
References
Introduction
1. Umfikazi u Mbokazi: The late Mbokazi (1902) [Annie Pamla]
2. Anazina ukuba Kumke i Nkosi Namhlanje kwa Sirayeli? Are you not aware that the chief departed Israel today? (1906) [Khona Maqoma]
3. Umfi u Nkwati Bika: The late Nkwati Bika (1907)
4. Umfikazi u Frances Nonhi Mkencele: The late Frances Nonhi Mkencele (1908)
5. Umfi u Thomas Ntintili: The late Thomas Ntintili (1911)
6. U Chief James Mama: Chief James Mama (1911)
7. U-Dalindyebo: Dalindyebo (1911)
8. Umfi u Jonathan Tunyiswa: The late Jonathan Tunyiswa (1913)
9. Umfi u Wm. Kobe Ntsikana: The late William Kobe Ntsikana (1914)
10. Umfi Thos Mbilatsho Mqanda: The late Thomas Mbilatsho Mqanda (1915)
11. Jabavu - Makiwane: Jabavu - Makiwane (1916)
12. Umfi u Rev. Chas. Pamla: The late Rev. Charles Pamla (1917)
13. A - Gweb'inkumbi!!!: Hail, Gwebinkumbi!!! (1921)
14. U Mhlekazi u Sonzobo Libalele Mhala: His Majesty Sonzobo Libalele Mhala (1924)
15. Zachariah Keodirelang Matthews B.A., Edwin Mtobi Ncwana B.A.: Zachariah Keodirelang Matthews B.A., Edwin Mtobi Ncwana B.A. (1924)
16. Umfi u Provincial Wm. Gcule: The late Provincial William Gcule (1926)
17. Umfi u Mpondombini: The late Mpondombini (1927)
18. Umfi Rev. Solomon Kuze: The late Rev. Solomon Kuze (1931)
19. U-Mhlekazi U-Tshekedi: His Majesty Tshekedi (1933)
20. Umfi u President Von Hindenberg: The late President Von Hindenburg (1934)
21. U Dr. R.T. Bokwe: Dr R.T. Bokwe (1934)
22. A, Ngangezwe!!!: Hail, Ngangezwe!!! (1936)
23. Uphumlo Luka Mavigala (Dr. MacVicar): Dr Macvicar's retirement (1938)
24. A! No-Ndwe!! (Mrs. M. Ballinger): Hail! No-Ndwe!! (Mrs M. Ballinger) (1939)
25. A, - Chith' I-Bhunga! (General Smuts): Hail, Chithibhunga! (General Smuts) (1939)
26. Umfi UmHlekazi Seeiso Griffith: His Majesty the late Seeiso Griffith (1941)
27. John Henderson Soga: John Henderson Soga (1941)
28. A Ngangemvula!!! Sir Patrick Duncan: Hail, Ngangemvula!!! Sir Patrick Duncan (1941)
29. E Dikeni!!! [Jimmy Gray, Maya Koboka, James Chalmers, W.L. Geddes, Mary Brown]: Lovedale (1941)
30. A, - Sithwalandwe! Col. The Hon. Denys Reitz: Hail, Sithwalandwe! Col. The Hon. Deneys Reitz (1942)
31. U-Tsalitorho: Gen. Hertzog: Tsalitorho: Gen. Hertzog (1943)
32. Umfi Howard Ben-Mazwi: The late Howard Ben-Mazwi (1943)
33. A, - Zwelizolile!!!, A, - Bambichanti!!!, A, - Zanethongo!!!: [R.H.W. Shepherd, Arthur Wellington, D.A. Hunter] (1944)
Sources
References