Sefela sa Mphahasa Raboleka Kgosi: When praise becomes song

Abstract

Mphahasa Raboleka Kgosi's sefela is an intriguing example of a praise poem rendered in the style of a migrant worker's chant. The overlaying of two established oral genres emanates from the singer's intention. He sets out to warn his fellow singers not to underestimate his artistic abilities. While praising himself in the textual component in typical battlefield idiom, he demonstrates his mastery of the poetry of migration in the melodic component, thereby confirming his rightful position among the verbal artists of his nation.