https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250321/african-poetry-based-on-fundamentals-of-spirituality-poet-says-on-world-poetry-day-1071193880.html
'African Poetry Based on Fundamentals of Spirituality,' Poet Says on World Poetry Day
'African Poetry Based on Fundamentals of Spirituality,' Poet Says on World Poetry Day
Sputnik Africa
World Poetry Day, celebrated on March 21, was established by UNESCO in 1999 to support linguistic diversity through poetry and amplify endangered languages. It... 21.03.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-03-21T11:49+0100
2025-03-21T11:49+0100
2025-03-21T12:59+0100
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African poetry is a "divine calling" integral to the continent's tradition of recording heritage, history, and culture, Zolani Mkiva, South African poet and former parliamentarian, told Sputnik Africa.According to Mkiva, in African society, poets are historians, philosophers, policymakers, librarians, and heritage practitioners. As the voice of the community, they encapsulate the nuances of life, acting as authorities on cultural values, norms, and all aspects defining a people, he added.He also asserted that poetry should play a key role in transforming the education system, noting that the colonial-era system is outdated for Africa's progress, and a fit-for-purpose system is needed to improve African lives.Mkiva highlighted language challenges, pointing to the colonial crushing of indigenous languages and the need to rebuild them with modern vocabulary. While acknowledging the divisive potential of language, he emphasized its importance for communication. Mkiva proposed strategically elevating Swahili to a continent-wide language, exporting it to the African diaspora, and matching its status to that of globally recognized languages like English, Russian, French, Spanish, and Arabic. He argued that language barriers hinder African collaboration and appreciation of its art, emphasizing the need to address these challenges for greater unity and global impact.
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africa, sputnik africa, poetry, south africa, culture, art, history, heritage, development, language, education, cooperation, kiswahili (swahili), unesco
africa, sputnik africa, poetry, south africa, culture, art, history, heritage, development, language, education, cooperation, kiswahili (swahili), unesco
'African Poetry Based on Fundamentals of Spirituality,' Poet Says on World Poetry Day
Ekaterina Shilova
Writer / Editor
World Poetry Day, celebrated on March 21, was established by UNESCO in 1999 to support linguistic diversity through poetry and amplify endangered languages. It aims to promote poetry reading, writing, publishing, and teaching worldwide, while also revitalizing poetry movements at all levels.
African poetry is a "divine calling" integral to the continent's tradition of recording
heritage, history, and culture,
Zolani Mkiva, South African poet and former parliamentarian, told
Sputnik Africa."The poetic verses have always been part and parcel of African civilization because they have always been the vehicle that transports knowledge from one generation to the other, transporting history from one generation to the next," he said.
According to Mkiva, in African society, poets are historians, philosophers, policymakers, librarians, and heritage practitioners. As the voice of the community, they encapsulate the nuances of life, acting as
authorities on cultural values, norms, and all aspects defining a people, he added.
He also asserted that poetry should play a key role in transforming the
education system, noting that the colonial-era system is outdated for Africa's progress, and a fit-for-purpose system is needed to improve African lives.
Mkiva highlighted language challenges, pointing to the colonial crushing of indigenous languages and the need to rebuild them with modern vocabulary. While acknowledging the divisive potential of language, he emphasized its importance for communication.
Mkiva proposed strategically elevating Swahili to a continent-wide language, exporting it to the African diaspora, and matching its status to that of globally recognized languages like
English, Russian, French, Spanish, and Arabic.
He argued that language barriers hinder African collaboration and appreciation of its art, emphasizing the need to address these challenges for greater unity and global impact.
