Mazisi Kunene
Encyclopedia
Mazisi Kunene (May 12, 1930 – August 11, 2006) was a South African poet best known for his poem Emperor Shaka the Great. While in exile from South Africa's apartheid regime, Kunene was an active supporter and organizer of the anti-apartheid movement in Europe and Africa. He would later teach at UCLA and become Africa's and South Africa's poet laureate.
, in the modern province of KwaZulu-Natal. From very early he began writing poetry and short stories in Zulu, and by age eleven he was being published in local papers. He later undertook a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Natal
in Zulu and history and later a Master of Arts in Zulu Poetry. His Master's thesis was titled An Analytical Survey of Zulu Poetry, Both Traditional and Modern. There he criticized the changing nature of Zulu literature, and its emulation of the Western tradition. He won a Bantu Literary Competition in 1956 and left for London to study at the School of Oriental and African Studies
, London in 1959.
, quickly becoming their main representative in Europe and the United States in 1962. He would later become the director of fiance for the ANC in 1972. He became a Professor of African literature at the University of California, Los Angeles
in 1975 after teaching in a number of universities as a cultural advisor for UNESCO
. He remained at UCLA for nearly two decades, retiring in 1992.
and then translated into English. In 1966, his works were banned by the Apartheid government of South Africa. In 1970, Kunene published Zulu Poems, an anthology of poems ranging from "moral reflection to political commentary."
In Emperor Shaka the Great
, published in English in 1979, Kunene tells the story of the rise of the Zulu under Shaka
. World Literature Today contributor Christopher Larson described it as a "a monumental undertaking and achievement by any standards." This extremely nationalistic work charted the growth of the Zulu nation under Shaka, as he reforms the military and the nation and conquers many of the tribes around Zululand.
Anthem of the Decades:A Zulu Epic published in English in 1981 tells the Zulu legend of how death came to mankind. In 1982, Kunene published a second collection of poems titled The Ancestors and the Sacred Mountain: Poems containing 100 of his poems. This collection had a particular emphasis on socio-political topics.
until his retirement. UNESCO made him Africa's poet laureate in 1993 and in 2005 he became the poet laureate of South Africa. He died August 11, 2006 in Durban after a lengthy bout of cancer. He was survived by his wife and four children.
Early life
Kunene was born in DurbanDurban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
, in the modern province of KwaZulu-Natal. From very early he began writing poetry and short stories in Zulu, and by age eleven he was being published in local papers. He later undertook a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Natal
University of Natal
The University of Natal was a university in Natal, and later KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, that is now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College in Pietermaritzburg, and expanded to include a campus in Durban in 1931. In 1947, the university...
in Zulu and history and later a Master of Arts in Zulu Poetry. His Master's thesis was titled An Analytical Survey of Zulu Poetry, Both Traditional and Modern. There he criticized the changing nature of Zulu literature, and its emulation of the Western tradition. He won a Bantu Literary Competition in 1956 and left for London to study at the School of Oriental and African Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
, London in 1959.
Career
He opposed the apartheid government as the head of the African United Front. Fleeing into exile from the country in 1959, he helped push for the ani-apartheid movement in Britain between 1959-1968. Kunene was closely affiliated with the African National CongressAfrican National Congress
The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a...
, quickly becoming their main representative in Europe and the United States in 1962. He would later become the director of fiance for the ANC in 1972. He became a Professor of African literature at the University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
in 1975 after teaching in a number of universities as a cultural advisor for UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
. He remained at UCLA for nearly two decades, retiring in 1992.
Literary works
Kunene wrote and published poetry from very early in his life. His works were written originally in ZuluZulu language
Zulu is the language of the Zulu people with about 10 million speakers, the vast majority of whom live in South Africa. Zulu is the most widely spoken home language in South Africa as well as being understood by over 50% of the population...
and then translated into English. In 1966, his works were banned by the Apartheid government of South Africa. In 1970, Kunene published Zulu Poems, an anthology of poems ranging from "moral reflection to political commentary."
In Emperor Shaka the Great
Emperor Shaka the Great
Emperor Shaka the Great is an epic poem based on the Zulu oral tradition, compiled in Zulu then translated by South African Poet Mazisi Kunene. The epic follows the life of Shaka Zulu. The poem documents his exploits as a king of the Zulu people, produced considerable advances in State structure...
, published in English in 1979, Kunene tells the story of the rise of the Zulu under Shaka
Shaka
Shaka kaSenzangakhona , also known as Shaka Zulu , was the most influential leader of the Zulu Kingdom....
. World Literature Today contributor Christopher Larson described it as a "a monumental undertaking and achievement by any standards." This extremely nationalistic work charted the growth of the Zulu nation under Shaka, as he reforms the military and the nation and conquers many of the tribes around Zululand.
Anthem of the Decades:A Zulu Epic published in English in 1981 tells the Zulu legend of how death came to mankind. In 1982, Kunene published a second collection of poems titled The Ancestors and the Sacred Mountain: Poems containing 100 of his poems. This collection had a particular emphasis on socio-political topics.
Late life
Kunene returned to South Africa in 1992 where he taught at the University of NatalUniversity of Natal
The University of Natal was a university in Natal, and later KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, that is now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College in Pietermaritzburg, and expanded to include a campus in Durban in 1931. In 1947, the university...
until his retirement. UNESCO made him Africa's poet laureate in 1993 and in 2005 he became the poet laureate of South Africa. He died August 11, 2006 in Durban after a lengthy bout of cancer. He was survived by his wife and four children.