Harnessing the past for the future: the recontextualising of Ndebele izibongo

Abstract

This paper discusses the use of isiNdebele praise poetry during the crucial year of 1988 when the Ndebele people were called upon to vote for or against independence, and flowing from that, the acceptance of the homeland system in an otherwise undemocratic South Africa. Those opposing independence, namely the royalists and their followers, made extensive use of praise poetry to further their cause. Of particular interest was the fact that the izibongo used in these political meetings seemingly had nothing to do with contemporary circumstances. For instance, the person used as role model, namely Mabhoko Mahlangu, lived between 1820 and 1865. The paper tries to show why and how these praises were placed into a new context.