You will find poetry nowhere unless you bring some of it with you.
Joseph Joubert
South African poetry is an unmistakable component of the country's cultural heritage. With a long, famous and rich history, South African poetry is a branch of literary legacy to commemorate and cherish.
Today, we will look at the history of SA poetry and you will read more about some of the most famous South African poets who contributed whole heartedly to African literature.
History of SA Poetry
The late 19th century marked the beginning of indigenous South African writing, which grew very prolific in the 20th century. In the 20th century, Apartheid had a big impact on the country's literary expression.
The moral and creative difficulties posed by South Africa's circumstances inspired writers, but the country's fixation with race issues may ultimately have been detrimental to the development of authentic national literature. This gave rise to Apartheid protest poetry by well-known poets such as Dennis Brutus.
Afrikaans poetry, however, started its journey after The Anglo Boer War (1899–1902). There were outstanding Afrikaans poets in the 20th century. The foremost among them were C. Louis Leipoldt, whose short lyric poems, Slampamperliedjies ("Songs of a Reveler"), express a sensual appreciation of nature, and Eugène Marais, whose disillusioned and compassionate verse on human suffering, Jan F.E. Celliers, a pastoral poet, Jakob Daniel du Toit (Totius), who wrote some of the best elegiacs in Afrikaans.
The Dertigers ("Poets of the '30s"), a group of gifted poets who were introduced by W.E.G. Louw in 1934 with Die ryke dwaas ("The Rich Fool"), were the pinnacle of Afrikaans literature.
Before exploring Afrikaans poets and the list of famous African poets, it is important to consider what is poetry?
Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi (1875-1945)
Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi was a South African author and poet. He was born in the Eastern Cape Province and attended Lovedale College to become a teacher.
He was a pioneer of Xhosa literature and became one of the most influential writers of Xhosa prose and poetry in South Africa.
Did you know that Samuel worked on translating the Bible into Xhosa?
In 1905, he helped to standardise Xhosa's writing and grammar and became a full-time writer. Mqhayi's poetry was influenced by the oral traditions of his people, which he used to explore Xhosa history, customs and beliefs.
With his writings in a local newspaper, he earned the title ‘Imbongi yesizwe’ (The Poet of the Nation). He excelled in the Xhosa praise poem. The poem that represented him the best was ‘Aa! Zweliyazuza! iTshawe laseBhritani’.
Uys Krige (1910-1987)
When Uys Krige finished school, he studied at the University of Stellenbosch. He also had the opportunity to live in France and Spain from 1931 to 1935 where he learned Romance languages.
His creative writing career took off with a book verse entering (1935; “Turnings”); a play, Magdelena Retief (1938); and a volume of poetic tales, Die Palmboom (1940; “The Palm Tree”).
Krige had a pivotal position in South African literature and could write equally effectively in Afrikaans and English. He was a part of the earlier mentioned literary movement group The Dertigers and served as a mentor to them.
Krige left behind a literary legacy that is cemented into our language and culture.
Modern culture includes a new form of online poetry called instapoetry. Have you explored the works of any online poets, like Rupi Kaur, Nikita Gill, or Yung Pueblo?
David Wright (1920-1994)
The Daily Telegraph describes David Wright as,
Profuse, fluent, versatile and the foremost South African poet of his generation.
The Daily Telegraph
David Wright was born on 23 February 1920 in Johannesburg. When he was 7 years old, he got scarlet fever, and the results left him deaf. When he was 14 years old, he immigrated to England and studied at Oriel College, Oxford at a deaf school. He spent most of his life living abroad building his writing career.
His first poem was published in 1942 called 'Eton Hall'. His books included: "Poems" (1949), "Moral Stories" (1954) and "Poems and Versions" (1993).
His poetry often was sarcastic, lyrical and fictional.
Ingrid Jonker (1933-1965)
At the young age of 6 years old, Ingrid Jonker an Afrikaans poet, started writing poetry. Her first poems were published in the high school magazine. In 1946 her first collection of poems was called Na die Somer (After the Summer) - she was just thirteen. She kept writing for family magazines such as Die Huisgenoot and in 1956 her first collection of poetry was published called 'Ontvlugting' (Escape).
Ingrid's poetry continues to be sought after and adored by millions of South Africans. Many used her poems to write documentaries, plays and even music.
Did you know Ingrid Jonker was one of the founders of modern Afrikaans literature?
Ingrid was a sensitive and gifted poet who certainly had a way with words.
Anonymous
Here is one of Ingrid's most-loved poems
Bitterbessie Dagbreek ("Bitterberry Daybreak")
Bitterbessie dagbreek
bitterbessie son
ʼn spieël het gebreek
tussen my en hom
Soek ek na die grootpad
om daarlangs te draf
oral draai die paadjies
van sy woorde af
Dennebos herinnering
dennebos vergeet
het ek ook verdwaal
trap ek in my leed
Papegaai-bont eggo
kierang kierang my
totdat ek bedroë
weer die koggel kry
Eggo is geen antwoord
antwoord hy alom
bitterbessie dagbreek
bitterbessie son
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892-1973)
Although he settled in England, John Ronald Reuel Tolkien was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa on 3 January 1892.
He was a brilliant writer, artist and poet. He is widely known for his books The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. He loved to tell stories of myths and legends. Apart from his gifted way of telling a fantasy story he was also excellent in writing poems.
Did you know that he wrote poems and songs for the magnificent Lord of the Rings?
With his spellbinding prose and charming poetry, he wrote epic tales and left an astounding literary legacy.
Antjie Krog
Antjie Krog is a famous Afrikaans poet known for her political and rhetorically crafted poetry. The general theme of her poetry is her historical experience within South Africa.
In 1970 she published her first book of verse, Dogter van Jefta ("Daughter of Jephta"). Since then she has published several more volumes.
She has won 2 Hertzog prizes along with others for her writings. Today, she still delivers keynote speeches and appears as a guest on current affairs programs.
An influential poet from South Africa indeed.
Breyten Breytenbach
An internationally famous dissident poet, Breyten Breytenbach, played a significant role in the development of Afrikaans poetry. He was opposed to Apartheid and was also a part of the Dertigers group.
You will be fascinated to know that he was arrested in South Africa in 1975 for treason. During his time in prison, he wrote five volumes of poetry and English prose.
He was born on 16 September 1939, and his birthplace was in Bonnievale.
Today, he is a renowned South African poet that has written over 1 600 poems. He is considered a living legend of Afrikaans literature.
Here is one of his most popular poems:
In a Burning Sea
how often were we wrapped in coolness on the floor
the smell of turpentine and fire
the canvases white to our empty eyes
night's indifference
and the moon a smile somewhere outside
out of sight
days decompose like seasons beyond the panes
leaves of rain, a face, a cloud, this poem
I wanted to leave my imprint on you
to brand you with the flaming hour
of being alone
no fire sings as clear
as the silver ashes of your movements
and your melancholy body
I wanted to draw that sadness from you
so that you might be revealed
the way a city opens
on a bright landscape
filled with pigeons and the fire of trees
and silver crows also out of sight in the night
and the moon a mouth that one can ignite
and then I wished that you could laugh
and your body bitter
my hands of porcelain on your hips
your breath such a dark-dark pain
a sword at my ear
how often were we here
where only silver shadows stir
only through you I had to deny myself
through you alone I knew I had no harbour
in a burning sea
A List of Some of the Best South African Poets of All Time
The African poets mentioned in this article are just a drop in the ocean> There are many more South African born poets who are worth mentioning such as:
- Finuala Dowling
- Ingrid de Kok
- Fredrick Guy Butler
- Don Mattera
- Joan Hambidge
- Kelwyn Sole
- Stephen Watson
- Vonani Bila
- Nadine Gordimer
- Andre Brink
- Gert Vlok Nel
All these poets writers are considered to be change-making poets as well, and many of them have even won the Ingrid Jonker prize.
We could write a book about the wonderful literary legacy that has been left behind and still continues to live on through everyone in South Africa.
These African poets are important to learn about as much of their published literary work has become part and parcel of literary setwork in South African schools. Should you need some help with analysing the collection of poetry by South African poets, ask one of our Superprof literature tutors to help you.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
Very informative. But a few names were overlooked .
Hi Nic,
We could only mention a selection of authors in this post. But, of course, there are many more talented local writers to be celebrated.