Eastern Cape traditional poet Zolani Mkiva is flying the country’s flag high, showcasing African culture overseas.
Mkiva, who is Nelson Mandela’s former poet and known as the Poet of the Nation, is representing South Africa at the four-day International Spring and Poetry Festival in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Dutywa-born poet has travelled many countries, showing his flair for African poetry in the West, Middle East and other regions.
“I have been invited as a headline act and a guest of honour at this festival.
“I am happy to make an appearance in Turkey during these challenging times. I am excited to go there and be part of an event that is going to be entertaining, and educating for the general public.
“Istanbul is one of the most important cultural hubs in the world as it is an intersection of Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
“It’s a great honour for me to share a stage with poets and wordsmiths from diverse communities of the globe.”
Mkiva started using his gift of praise poetry at a young age, and rose to prominence in 1990 when he had the honour of praising Mandela at a welcome home rally.
He was later the praise singer at Mandela’s presidential inauguration in 1994, and became the president’s Poet Laureate.
Mkiva released his first solo album Halala South Africa in 1997, followed by Qadaffi in 2000.
In 2004, he was one of the three finalists at the World Tournament of Town Criers in England.
He has won numerous awards both locally and internationally, including the Die Woche Award, in Germany; the Prince of Afro-Poetry, Zimbabwe; the Sharq Toranorali Award, Uzbekistan; Best Traditional Artist in Africa, a KORA award; Champion of Oral Poetry, England; and Best Praise Poet, and South African Traditional Music Lifetime Achievement Award.
Poet of the Nation bringing the art of Africa to Istanbul
Mkiva, who is Nelson Mandela’s former poet and known as the Poet of the Nation, is representing South Africa at the four-day International Spring and Poetry Festival in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Dutywa-born poet has travelled many countries, showing his flair for African poetry in the West, Middle East and other regions.
“I have been invited as a headline act and a guest of honour at this festival.
“I am happy to make an appearance in Turkey during these challenging times. I am excited to go there and be part of an event that is going to be entertaining, and educating for the general public.
“Istanbul is one of the most important cultural hubs in the world as it is an intersection of Europe, the Middle East and Asia.
“It’s a great honour for me to share a stage with poets and wordsmiths from diverse communities of the globe.”
Mkiva started using his gift of praise poetry at a young age, and rose to prominence in 1990 when he had the honour of praising Mandela at a welcome home rally.
He was later the praise singer at Mandela’s presidential inauguration in 1994, and became the president’s Poet Laureate.
Mkiva released his first solo album Halala South Africa in 1997, followed by Qadaffi in 2000.
In 2004, he was one of the three finalists at the World Tournament of Town Criers in England.
He has won numerous awards both locally and internationally, including the Die Woche Award, in Germany; the Prince of Afro-Poetry, Zimbabwe; the Sharq Toranorali Award, Uzbekistan; Best Traditional Artist in Africa, a KORA award; Champion of Oral Poetry, England; and Best Praise Poet, and South African Traditional Music Lifetime Achievement Award.
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