Journal aims to nourish African readers, writers
Thanduxolo Jika caught up with critic and playwright Siphiwo Mahala at the Book Circle Capital in Melville to chat about his new journal, Imbiza
Siphiwo Mahala caught the eye when he won a literary award with his debut 2007 novel, When a Man Cries. He explains the inspiration behind his latest work, a journal titled Imbiza — an isiXhosa word for a three-legged pot. “When we write something we usually say something is cooking, and then we cook with what? We cook with imbiza. You can have potatoes, you can have carrots at the end of the day, and you put all of that together to have a delicious meal. What does food do? It nourishes. So how do we nourish the mind? So through that thinking, I feel Imbiza best captures what I envisioned.”
The word imbiza takes on a different meaning in isiZulu. It translates into natural herbs or any mixture of roots, bulbs and leaves used for medical purposes. Mahala reckons it captures the same spirit in both languages, bringing a sense of healing and nourishment to African readers and writers.
“Also, the symbolism of it, the round shape, for instance, represents unity, the three legs are all about partnerships; you don’t stand alone. I felt that it captures what I wanted to do.”
Imbiza, which was officially launched on Friday, is a potpourri of literature — from essays to book reviews, humour and comics, paintings, poetry, short stories and profiles from different contributors across the continent. Mahala says the idea behind this is to cater for every reader so they can find their point of interest on one platform.
As we chat, Mahala whips out a tiny black-and-white journal titled Aerial Prose 2001. It has sentimental value as it contains his first published work. He has a strong affinity for journals such as Staffrider, which he says opened doors for aspiring writers.
“It excites me and it’s always been my kind of passion to give opportunities to those whose voices are suppressed.”
Mahala believes that academic and creative writing can coexist.
“So there’s this wall between academia and creative writing and yet we write expecting academics to critique our works. And also academics wouldn’t exist without creative work. So I always imagined a platform where you bring the two together.”
Imbiza also brings together young writers and seasoned authors on one platform. Talented young writers such as Stacey Fru and Liso Zenani appear alongside literary giant Zakes Mda.
“We climb on the shoulders of giants. I’ve been very conscious of paying tribute to those who’ve been here before us while also making an effort to pave the way for a new generation. For instance, including Stacey Fru’s story means the journal is accessible to the younger generation. In 10 years’ time they’ll probably be where Fred Khumalo is today. So that’s why it excites me.
“An author like Zenani, when I read his story, [it] is set in the 1800s. I was convinced this story is probably written by a retired professor or some historian somewhere, only to find out it is written by a 20-year-old and this is his very first publication. To me that was gratifying because my idea of a journal is that it helps to discover new voices, and Liso is one of those voices.”
Mda says Imbiza is rich with stories and articles of different genres and is of great quality. “We have fiction and nonfiction, we have recipes, we have works of visual art by a very wonderful artist, Khehla Chepape Makgato. I am sure in future issues there will be art by various other artists as well.
“Another thing I love about this journal is the age range of its contributors, ranging from old crocks like us to very young writers like Stacey Fru. I like that as well because there is that developmental aspect. I also love the fact that you have wonderful works in different languages. You have works in isiZulu, isiXhosa and KiSwahili. I like that you didn’t even attempt to translate them into English because works in our indigenous languages are valid on their own terms,” says Mda.
In his message of support for Imbiza, professor Njabulo Ndebele says the journal takes over from where The Classic magazine, founded by Nat Nakasa in 1963, and Staffrider left off.
“The significance of Imbiza is that it represents both continuity and consolidation at that particular moment when the demographic norm in South Africa, previously rendered powerless by apartheid, is now at the heart of the nationstate, by far the source of creativity and the source of the life of the future economy of this country. So I see Imbiza thriving in a population that is at the heart of this country’s life, with increased levels of reading and participation,” he says.
Mahala is passionate about preserving African languages in their purest form, hence the journal publishes works in KiSwahili, isiXhosa, isiZulu and others.
“It is our inherent responsibility to preserve our languages. Ngugi [wa Thing’o] says language carries culture, so when you talk about language it is not just the verbal way of communication but you are communicating culture, you are communicating history. It is about identity.
“When I say ndingu Mpandla, u Tshayingwe, it’s not just praises, but I’m also reciting the lineage of my family. It is about the history. So, out of language you learn history, you learn culture, you learn everything that people identify with. Language is not just a communication tool,” Mahala says.
‘It is our inherent responsibility to preserve our languages’
Siphiwo Mahala