Arts and Culture Minister Pallo Jordan on Saturday paid tribute to Professor Mazisi Kunene in Durban, the winner of the SA National Laureate Prize, for his role in the preservation of African literature and history through poetry.
”The institution of poet laureate has an ancient lineage in African society. This is a title that was not lightly bestowed on its recipient,” said Jordan in his speech.
”The art of the classical poet and bard was in many respects about memory. It was honing and developing his or her skill to compose and perform high memorable poetry that a poet established a reputation.”
Kunene went to exile as an ANC political activist after completing his Master’s Degree in African Studies at the University of Natal.
He was appointed chief representative of the African National Congress in Britain and Western Europe while serving under the leadership of the late Oliver Tambo in 1963.
Jordan said it was while serving in that capacity that he first got to know him.
”We thank Kunene for nurturing our hopes with his poetry. With the SA National Laureate Prize we hope to encourage aspirant poets and to nurture new talents,” said Jordan.
He said among the responsibilities of a poet laureate will be ”uncovering of unrecognised talents and honouring the unsung custodians of our literary culture.”
”This is a task I am certain the nation can entrust to Professor Kunene with confidence,” said Jordan. He said Kunene’s poetry has shown that African traditional society was anything but prosaic. – Sapa