Mbuli said he was honoured by the award because it’s from writers, but he wouldn’t accept an award from the government
Seasoned poet and activist Mzwakhe Mbuli says he’s humbled by being bestowed the lifetime achievement award at the 20th South African Literary Awards (SALA).
“I was not present to accept the award, but I am humbled and very honoured,” Mbuli told The Citizen.
The Literary Awards were held on Tuesday evening at the Roodepoort Theatre. The awards honour the voices shaping African storytelling.
The evening featured a thought-provoking lecture, a book exhibition and sales, and the awards ceremony and gala dinner.
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South African Literary Awards winners
Mbuli is one of the three other recipients of the lifetime achievement award. Poet Mavis Smallberg and Dr John Kani are the other recipients.
However, Mbuli’s award is from the chairperson of the awards, Prof. Zodwa Motsa.
Mbuli said he couldn’t attend the ceremony because he was given short notice about the award and was busy with a project.
“I’m engaged in some serious projects where I’ve signed contracts. I was in studio,” he shared.
Other winners on the night include Kwandile Hadebe, Zaheera Jina Asvat and Raphashe Abram Lesufi, who won the Nadine Gordimer Short Story Award.
There were four recipients for the Youth Literature Award, who include Seakgwe Phalatse for Menomasweu and Tiah Marie Beautement for A Tale of Many Tangents.
Lebogang Seale (One Hundred Years of Dispossession: My family’s quest to reclaim our land) and Happy Gladness Simelane (Thandeka) won in the First-Time Published Author Award.
Seakhoa said the thinking behind having more than one winner in each category stems from having authors who write in different languages.
“We are doing 16 categories across all the official languages, so you find that under one category, let’s say best novel, there are very good books, one in isiZulu, one in English and one in another language. So it’s on that basis that you’d find more than one winner,” he explained.
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Mbuli bemoans government
Mbuli, affectionately known as the people’s poet, said he accepts the literary award because it’s from writers. He, however, wouldn’t take an award from the government.
“Since the dawn of democracy, I have never been honoured. A person like myself has played more of a role [in the struggle] than the people who are packed in Parliament,” said the poet.
He adds that if he were to be honoured by President Cyril Ramaphosa, he wouldn’t accept the award.
“If I were to be honoured by the president of this country I would reject it and say it’s too late. You can’t honour me after 31 years.
“I’m one person who survived bullets, my home was attacked by hand grenades. Only in 2023 did I have surgery to remove bullets that were lodged in my right shoulder for 35 years,” said the activist.
Mbuli bemoaned how most South Africans are living below the poverty line.
“It’s ironic for us who fought during the struggle to see things such as the Madlanga commission and the likes of Mkhwanazi… it means that the country has lost direction or a country that couldn’t reach the promised land. People in South Africa today don’t have water, they don’t have electricity… people are given R350.”
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