The South African poet Zama Madinana will tour the continent with his debut chapbook, “Water and Lights.”
“Water and Lights,” published in 2021, focuses on love, politics, and societal issues such as corruption, inequality, and poverty.
Madinana elaborated on the idea for the book as follows: “It’s been about 30 years since we gained our independence, but the quality of living in the black townships has not improved significantly.
“We continue to experience water shortages and power outages.
“It is quite unfortunate that politicians are stealing money intended to improve the lives of the people.
“And the kids are drowning in alcohol and dying from drugs.”
“There is a high murder rate in our culture. We must relearn how to love.
“As a concerned citizen of this country, it is my duty to discuss the issues with which I disagree.
“I am not required to apologize for criticizing the leadership of this nation.
“This country has been coping with load shedding for a very long period, but we have yet to implement measures to improve the problem.
“This country’s youth are unemployed, and the minority still controls the economy.
There is still a great deal of inequality in this country.
The Ladysmith-born actor emphasized that his passion for African literature inspires his work.
Some of his artistic inspirations are South African poet Mafika Gwala, Nigerian poet Ben Okri, and South African anti-apartheid activist Bantu Stephen Biko.
“I look up to people like Mafika Gwala, Steve Biko and Ben Okri.
“Thank you, Gwala and Biko, for reminding us that Black is great, that self-love is crucial, and that Black is sufficient.
“I wish we could all review Steve Biko’s writings, especially in these times when being a leader is no longer about serving the people, but rather about enriching oneself.
“Because I admire Ben Okri’s imagination, “The Famished Road” is one of my favorite books.
In April, Madinana began his book tour in Botswana, which he described as a “wonderful experience.”
“We share many similarities with other Africans. And I was recently in Mozambique… Even though the majority of the population speaks Portuguese, they received my work quite well.”
In June 2021, the chapbook gained him third place in the Sol Plaatje EU Poetry Award.
Madinana is now writing a full-length book slated for publication in 2023.
In the meantime, the Joburg-based star continues his poetry tour throughout the African continent.
“Poetry enables me to communicate the truth fearlessly. It is a literary form in which I can easily express myself.”
Water and Lights is available at Bridge Books, The Commune, Clarkes Bookstore, and Surplus Radical Bookstore in Cape Town.