This book examines the life and work of Mazisi Kunene, the only recognized poet laureate of Africa, a Nobel Prize nominee, and a key symbol of African cultural independence. Kunene is widely recognized for his epic poems that assert cultural identity and condemn the disruption of the growth and development of African culture through colonialism/postcolonialism. This book explores how ‘oraliterature’ and cultural traditions informed Kunene’s poetry, how Kunene’s poetry highlights African women and mothers, and how activism, mythology and transnational identities are depicted in his verse to promote cultural and generational continuities from Africa to the Diasporic Africans. Drawing on a range of interviews and comparative studies, the book situates Kunene’s work in a wider conversation about South African social struggles. This book is an important contribution to our understanding of one of the giants of African literary history. As such, it will be of interest to researchers across African literary and postcolonial studies.

New Perspectives on Mazisi Kunene shares with readers an interview inspired by correspondence and prolonged conversations on the telephone. The focus of this interview, Mazisi Kunene, is arguably one of Africa's greatest poets. Kunene's contributions to African literature as both scholar and artist remains significant, given his commitment to writing in his indigenous Zulu language and translating his corpus into English. Ntongela Masilela, a close friend to Kunene and scholar who has written extensively on Kunene oeuvre, shares views that center primarily on Kunene's importance in African literature, and his role and place in South African literary and cultural revolution.

In Two Zulu Poets, Dike Okoro brings to our attention the sparkling wealth of African poetry in indigenous languages. Modern African poets and scholars owe so much to the pioneering efforts of these two South African poets. Dr. Okoro has surely, in this bilingual edition of two Zulu poets, unearthed invaluable gems of poetry. Tanure Ojaide, Frank Porter Graham Professor of Africana Studies, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte “Mazisi Kunene is simply one of Africa greatest poets.” N'gugi wa Thiong'o, University of California Irvine, CA, USA “There is a direct line of continuity between Benedict Wallet Vilakazi and Mazisi Kunene concerning the fundamental issue that African literature should be written in the African languages by New African intellectuals”, The Historical Figures of the New African Movement". Ntongela Masilela, PhD, Professor Emeritus of Creative Studies

Chaka is a genuine masterpiece that represents one of the earliest major contributions of black Africa to the corpus of modern world literature. Mofolos fictionalized life-story account of Chaka (Shaka), translated from Sesotho by D. P. Kunene, begins with the future Zulu kings birth followed by the unwarranted taunts and abuse he receives during childhood and adolescence. The author manipulates events leading to Chakas status of great Zulu warrior, conqueror, and king to emphasize classic tragedys psychological themes of ambition and power, cruelty, and ultimate ruin. Mofolos clever nods to the supernatural add symbolic value. Kunenes fine translation renders the dramatic and tragic tensions in Mofolos tale palpable as the richness of the authors own culture is revealed. A substantial introduction by the translator provides valuable context for modern readers.