S. E. K. MQHAYI

NOTABLE CONTRIBUTION TO XHOSA LITERATURE: MR. MQHAYI CREATES XHOSA RENAISSANCE

by

Guybon Bundlwana Sinxo

Mr. S. E. K. Mqhayi, known throughout Bantu South Africa as the National Poet is the only son of Ziwani Krune Mqhayi. His mother's maiden name was Qashani Bedle.

Mr. Samuel Mqhayi was born at Gqumahashe, Alice, in 1875. Before Samuel's birth, his parents had not had a single boy child and they wished so much to have one that special prayers were made to Heaven for a baby boy. How joyful they were when their prayers were answered and at last a boy was born to them. In thankfulness they named the boy “Samuel” which means “Asked of God” and with the same words used by the parents of one of Israel 's greatest prophets. Samuel dedicated the child to God. In that resolve their intentions may have been to train the boy for holy orders, but little did they know that their hopes would still be more amply gratified.

That same boy did not qualify for ministry as they expected but went in for a far wider pulpit---that of literature---and today he is one of the foremost Bantu men of letters.

At nine years of age Samuel was sent to live with his uncle, Nzanzana Mqhayi, who was headman of Khobonqaba village at Kentani. Whilst there he was a diligent little attendant of the “Inkundla” were in litigation and other affairs the customs and laws of the nation could be learned. Little did those old men know that the little boy who seemed to hang on their very words as they deliberated was assimilating all and would at a future time turn that knowledge to such good use.

Today that very boy has contributed that knowledge to Education departments and to the Union Government itself, and it is that same boy who at a time when most of the educated Africans in the Cape as well as the Europeans controlling Native education were looked down upon Xhosa stood up for our language and by pen and word of mouth created a Renaissance in our literature.

Not only did Mr. Mqhayi preach but he practiced his doctrine. Undoubtedly, it was the opposition which he at first met that produced from his fertile brain his first book The Life of Samson , a book, though unfortunately out of print, that still makes very good reading, and we positively owe his masterpiece, Ityala Lamawele , the best original book next to the Bible, as well as the most outstanding bestseller in the Xhosa language to his experiences at his uncle's “great place”, whilst it is to his vast travels amongst his people as well as his intimate knowledge of human nature that we owe his wonderful sketches, Ihambho Zika Don Jadu .

The man is a voluminous writer. He is dramatist, essayist, critic, novelist, historian humorist, biographer, translator and poet at the same time.

I put “Poet” last in the list not that poetry is the least of his accomplishments but for emphasis's sake as that is what the man really is. Every day of his life the public is thrilled by his sublime productions through the press, through his books and other publications.

I can safely say that the present popularity of the Xhosa language owes much to this African genius and that many a budding author and journalist began writing through the influence of this great man. This particularization need not be invidious as I do not at all exclude other great names like Soga, Jabavu, Solilo, Ndawo, Jolobe, that indefatigable European Mr. W. G. Bennie, as well as many others; in the noble work of the making of our literature.

Mr. Mqhayi has done Yeoman service for his race and well has he earned the honours that he is now receiving, especially that signal distinction of addressing at King Williamstown both the King's sons on their respective visits to the Union .

The Bantu World , July 20, 1935.

MQHAYI

by

H. I. E. Dhlomo

The death of S. E. K. Mqhayi removes a great man from us. Mqhayi was a Poet Laureate of the Xhosa people, and to hold a high position such as that in a community is an honour.

Mqhayi was a poet, novelist and biographer, and his works include two books of poems and an outstanding novel Ityala Lawele, all of which are major contributions to Xhosa literature. Mqhayi was a pioneer of Xhosa literature and helped to make Xhosa a vehicle of great power and beauty. Thus his contribution was not only to literature but to language. He was the last link, perhaps, between the tribal bard who could extemporize and declaim long lines of poetry at the spur of the moment, and the modern African who only writes verse. Mqhayi could do both; and even some of his written work is reminiscent of imbongi. Never will the writer of these notes forget the deeply moving experience he had each time he listened to Mqhayi composing and reciting poetry all at once. A great artist is more than the Voice of his people. He is their very culture. And Mqhayi is such a man. His world will live and be a source of pride and inspiration to generations.

Ilanga lase Natal , September 1, 1945.