THE NATION’S BOUNTY:
THE XHOSA POETRY OF NONTSIZI MGQWETHO
for Jenna and Madison
the next generation
THE NATION’S BOUNTY:
THE XHOSA POETRY OF NONTSIZI MGQWETHO
edited and translated by
Jeff Opland
AFRICAN TREASURY SERIES 22
Wits University Press
1 Jan Smuts Avenue
Johannesburg 2001
South Africa
ISBN 10: 1-86814-451-8
ISBN 13: 978 1 86814-451-8
ISBN 13: 978 1 77614-318-4 (EPUB)
ISBN 13: 978 1 77614-319-1 (MOBI)
© Jeff Opland
First printed 2007
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express permission, in writing, of both the author and the publishers.
Typesetting and reproduction by Positive Proof, Johannesburg, South Africa
Cover design by Limeblue, Johannesburg
Printed and bound by Creda Communications, Cape Town
CONTENTS
2Imbongikazi Nontsizi u Chizama
Nontsizi Chizama, the woman poet
4Imbongikazi No “Abantu-Batho”
The woman poet and Abantu-Batho
8Ingxoxo yo Mginwa ku Magqoboka!
11Yacombuluka! Inamba u 1923 ebisoloko ifukamele ukunduluka
A long lying-in, then the python uncoils and leaves! (1923)
12Ufikile! Udubulesendlwini bac’ol’i nto emnyango! Kuse beyifanisa (New Year)
It’s here! Find-at-the-Door-What-you-Shot-from-Inside and only later identified! (New Year)
14Abaprofeti benyaniso-nabo-buxoki
15Zatsha! Inkomo Nomazakuzaku!
16Induli ka Xakeka!—Enyukwa ngu Ntu!!
The hill Difficulty the black man scales
17Umanyano! Basebenzi Abantsundu!!
18Umpanga! ka Rev B.S. Mazwi
19Vumisani! kwi Nyange Lemihla!!
20Ingwe Idla Ngamabala!!
21I Afrika ihleli Ayiyangandawo!!
Africa stayed! She’s nowhere else!!
22Ikona na Intaba Oyaziyo? Kwezi Zimiyo Eyaka Yafuduka?
Show me the mountain that packed up and left