The poetry of South Africa covers a broad range of themes, forms, and styles. This article seeks to identify the major poets of South Africa and describe their works and influence.

Notable poets

The following poets have contributed a large amount to South Africa's poetic character in the 20th century.

Lionel Abrahams

Main article: Lionel Abrahams

Lionel Abrahams (1928 - May 30, 2004) was a poet, novelist, editor, essayist, and publisher. Abrahams's work is largely philosophical, praising integrity and compassion. His poems are characterized by free verse with emotional strength.

Tatamkulu Afrika

Main article: Tatamkulu Afrika

Although born in Egypt, Tatamkulu Afrika (December 7, 1920 - December 23, 2002) went to South Africa at an early age. His first volume of poetry, Nine Lives was published in 1991. Afrika's poetry is rich in natural imagery, and the mood of his poems differ, from simple and innocent to lonely and frightened.

Gabeba Baderoon

Main article: Gabeba Baderoon

Gabeba Baderoon (1969 - ) is a female poet born in Cape Town. Her poetry has a tone of calmness and quiet, but it focuses on the moral issues of cultural identity and the meaning of life.

Michael Cope

Main article: Michael Cope

The son of writer Jack Cope , Michael Cope (1952 - ) is a jeweller and novelist as well as a poet. Cope's first volume of poetry, Scenes and Visions , was published in 1990. His works detail people, their stories, and environmental imagery. Much of his poetry also quietly offers Cope's views on world-wide issues, such as business and poverty.

Patrick Cullinan

Main article: Patrick Cullinan

Patrick Cullinan (1932 - ) has published eight volumes of poetry, an anthology on the work of Lionel Abrahams, a biography of Robert Jacob Gordon , and a novel, Matrix . Born in Pretoria, he was educated in Johannesburg and Europe. Cullinan's poetic style is dreamy and full of imagery, with a recurring theme of love. He was given the title cavaliere in 2003 by the government of Italy for his work translating much of his poetry into Italian.

Ingrid de Kok

Main article: Ingrid de Kok

Isobel Dixon

Main article: Isobel Dixon

Finuala Dowling

Main article: Finuala Dowling

Keorapetse Kgositsile

Main article: Keorapetse Kgositsile

Antjie Krog

Main article: Antjie Krog

Mzi Mahola

Main article: Mzi Mahola

Seitlhamo Motsapi

Main article: Seitlhamo Motsapi

Charle-Pierre Naudé

Main article: Charle-Pierre Naudé

Mxolisi Nyezwa

Main article: Mxolisi Nyezwa

Karen Press

Main article: Karen Press

Others

• Robert Berold
• Herman Charles Bosman
• The Botsotso Jesters
• Breyten Breytenbach
• Andre Brink
• Jeremy Cronin
• Sandile Dikeni
• Joan Hambidge
• Cornelis Jacob Langenhoven (1873 - 1932) author of Die Stem van Suid-Afrika; produced the first version of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam in Afrikaans.
• Douglas Livingstone
• Mzwake Mbuli
• Croc E Moses
• Malika Ndlovu
• Lesego Rampolokeng
• Mongane Wally Serote
• Tracey Splinter
• Wilma Stockenström
• Stephen Watson

See also

• List of South African poets

External link

• Welcome to South African poetry - Poetry International Web