BOOK REVIEW

THE ZULU MAN WITH A RICH VOCABULARY

Impiselo is an isiZulu poetry book authored by the doyen-in-waiting, or rather custodian-elect of isiZulu language Linda Ndlovu. Born in Soweto 26 years ago and raised in the green thousand hill valleys of Kwazulu-Natal, Ndlovu has in so few years managed to master the language that he is proud to say, "ulimi lukaJama - olukaPhunga no Mageba".

That is rich coming from a young man. Impiselo is made up of 63 praise, protest, celebration, love, grief, reminisces, hopes and wishes poetry that crosses through different landscapes of existence. In music circles they tend to say, there's something for everyone. Impiselo does not fail either.

However, being a custodian of a language spoken by so many South Africans is a liability Ndlovu carries with him into this collection. A liability he will continue to carry at the risk of ego-centred self-indulgence. In a poem titled Inkomo Zawobabamkhulu he writes, "zakhony' izinkunzi zakwaZulu/ zabikik' okwezinyoni zizifela zeZulu/ ukuphehla kwamafu ngomusi/ zangikhwelisa kwilimagade abomvu/ ngakhuhla sangola yobubha/ zasongoz' izinkunzi zawoBabamkhulu". This is what I call self-indulgence. However the plus is that the context is broad, it can relate to everyone the way it touched Ndlovu.

The one poem that stood out for me because of its relevance and universal message is Mhla kushona ilanga eZimbabwe (2002-2004). Relevant because in a few weeks time Zimbabweans are once again going to rubberstamp the next bout of their own oppression. "Kucoshwa amaphepha/ amaphepha aphelile/ apheshulwe imimoya kahulumeni/ kosho abantu/ kuphuzwa izinyembezi/ itshe lome inhlama/ kwalala izidumbu ezweni lamaNdebele/ hawu isikhalo sikaMzilikazi/ izingane zilila esikaNandi/ liyashona ilanga eZimbabwe/ lapho elashona khona/ liyovuka".

One is left with a feeling that some of Ndlovu's poems can be more effective with a little translation. Let's hope someday he will do so as he is also an excellent English writer with scores of short stories and poems which appeared in New Coin, Botsotso, Timbila and many more. He is also a literature analyst and critic.

Finally, perhaps ironically, Ndlovu bears his all in an emotionally charged Introduction, "Leli qoqo lihlanganisa imizwa nemizindlo yami ngezalapha eningizimu ne-Afrika, ngisho namanye amazwe engo makhelwane. Zibhekiswe ezehlakalweni ezenzeka nezenzekayo. Lezi izinyathelo zokuqala okufanele izizwe zizicubungule futhi zizilandele ngendlela ezoqculisa umphakathi wonkana".

Impiselo is published through funds acquired from the National Arts Council of South Africa and is one in a series of twelve collections that Timbila Poetry Project will publish this year.

It is available from the publisher at 015 291 2088 or Timbila Poetry Project, P.O. Box 470 Elim Hospital 0960 Limpopo Province, South Africa. Cyber surfers can drop their request at timbila@lantic.net. Those far away from computers, the telephone and the post office but still willing to smoke on Ndlovu's rich isiZulu poetry can quote ISBN 0-9584640-7-3 and get your bookstore to order you one.

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