Category : Literary Translators Award
Authors : Jeff Opland and Pamela Maseko
Book : D.L.P Yali-Manisi: Iimbali Zamanyange, Historical Poems
The collection is a wonderful collection of historical poems by Yali-Manisi. One cannot help but applaud the work of the translators who have tried to keep the original meaning and expression although not always easy or possible. The collection is great because it supports the oral history mode to tell the African story, this is made more exquisite by the voice of the imbongi. The reader cannot miss Yali-Manisi’s rhythm in the poems, rhythm that reminds one of great Xhosa praise poets such as Mbutuma and Mqhayi. Yali-Manisi tells the history of Mfecane, Mlanjeni’s War and Nongqawuse’s calamity with the expertise of a great story teller and lists the facts like a great historian would. It is the creative prowess of the translators that makes one vouch for the strength of this collection.