IsiXhosa Written Poetry and the “Glasnost” Epoch: 1990-1994
Abstract
The central argument of this interdisciplinary article is that the “glasnost” context of the last phase of the Apartheid regime (1990-1994) had a profound impact on the content and form of isiXhosa written poetry. An analysis and interpretation of selected poems produced by writers of the period, namely Shasha, Xozwa and Mbelu, exposes that contestation at an ideological level permeated the cultural manifestations. The study exposes the state of the repressive state apparatus which was established for the control of the quality and quantity of literary production. Additionally the article argues that there are parallels between the Soviet Union glasnost and the South African “glasnost”, as writers of both communities recognised the power of poetry as a weapon for resistance to political repression and for advancing socio-political transformation.
Opsomming
Die sentrale argument van hierdie interdissiplinêre artikel is dat die “glasnost” konteks van die laaste fase van die apartheidsregime (1990-1994) ‘n groot invloed op die inhoud en vorm van isiXhosa geskrewe poësie gehad het. ‘n Ontleding en interpretasie van geselekteerde gedigte wat deur skrywers van die tydperk vervaardig is, naamlik Shasha, Xozwa en Mbelu, stel voor dat die betoging op ideologiese vlak die kulturele manifestasies deurdring het. Die studie stel die toestand van die onderdrukkende staatsapparaat bekend wat ingestel is vir die beheer van die gehalte en hoeveelheid literêre produksie. Daarbenewens beweer die artikel dat daar parallelle is tussen die Sowjet-Unie glasnost en die Suid-Afrikaanse glasnost, aangesien skrywers van albei gemeenskappe die mag van poësie as ’n wapen vir weerstand teen politieke onderdrukking herken het en om sosio-politieke transformasie te bevorder.
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