Mthunzikazi Mbungwana was born in a small village in Upper Indwana, Cala in the former Transkei. She grew up as an awkward child who did not fit in, so she used books as her saving grace.
Her late brother, Mncedisi nurtured her love of reading and left a great collection of literature which she devoured. She writes poetry and short stories. Mthunzi as she is affectionately called has performed in a variety of poetry sessions and corporate functions in and around Johannesburg.
She was named one of the top 5 winners of the Express Yourself poetry competition which was run by SAFM in 2007. She recently participated in the 19th annual Poetry Africa Festival which is convened by the University of KZN.
POEMS FROM UMNIKELO BY MTHUNZIKAZI MBUNGWANA:
Ababuyanga
Ababuyanga abantwana
Namhl’ilanga litshone emini
Inja nganye izikhotha amanxeba
Ababuyanga abantwana
Akukho mntu oyinokozayo
Yinyewe yakwamkhozi
Imandlalwana yabo ilalelwe livukazi
Phaya ngasegoqweni
Abafazi bayagixa emva kocango
Amadoda Ayangqukuleka enkundleni
Abatshakazi bawuphekile
Bawuphothula
Bawuphaka umqa
Kungoku nje
Ugcwele iintanda
Akabuyanga amadodana entabeni
In my culture women are not allowed to talk about these things, it has been thirty nine days since my brother went up the mountain
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Thula Ukhalelani?
(Marikana, 16 August 2012)
Ifikelele kwesi simo
Kuchithek’ilindle
Labolisa yonke indawo
Ungagxeka bani ke ngokufa kwebhokhwe
Isezwa iyeza
Ubungekhe usijul’entlango
Wakugqiba usirhalisele ngamathontsana amanzi
Uwuhluphezile umbundlwana
Ngoku yingqeqe edlavuza
Amaqath’endwendwe
Lo mzi awungeni bantu
Thula ukhalelani?
Liphalele igazi labantwana babantu
Bengenatyala
Ziqungquluzile iizidumbu
Bafa njengezinja
Usizi luzotywe ebusweni kwiintsapho nezalamane
Abantwana bayazidlalela emva kwezindlu
Bejong’enkalweni
Becula besithi
Utata uyeza ngomso
Uzakusiphathela izibiliboco
Zase marikana, marikana
Marikana
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Msokoli Othandekayo
Uyayazi ukuba ndiyakuthanda
Msokoli nawe njengendoda
Kufuneka uyifumane into esiza kuyipheka
Asikwazi ukuhlala apha endlini sityana nothando
Sibhodla indlala
Ndikubhaqile ulimenemene
Le ndoda engafuni kwenza nto
Uvuka ekuseni ukhuphisane
Nekati ngokugcakamela ilanga
Ngaloo mzuzu
Ndicocana namakhitshi abanye abafazi
Ukuze abantwana balale betyile
Ndibiza iintanga zam
Oo “medem” ndifundisa
Abantwana babo ukubhala
Isimilo nokuziphatha
Abam abantwana abatyanga
Uhlala apha endlini
Imini yonke
Uthsuthsuza
Ugcada amaqanda
Ulale
Uvuke
Usuza
Ugqibana ne “Oros” yabantwana
Msokoli ndiyakuthanda
Kodwa njengendoda
Nawe khawuzibonakalise
Uthando alusithengi isonka
Bumba icebo
Kungenjalo uphume ngala mnyango
Umkhulu
Amagxa am ashushu
Kukutyathana negxibha
Lenqenerha
– End –
Ndakuva Ngawe
Lakuphel’uthando
Kunqum’inqatha
Kophuk’umqheba
Litshon’ilanga
Ndakuva ngawe
Lakucim’ilahle
Lakuphel’uthando
Wakophuk’umqheba
Lakutshon’ilanga
Ndakuva ngawe.
– End –
Mthunzikazi Mbungwana - Artist Profile,
