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eventREF E-0011424Revised

Event record

Mgqwetho,the first poem of Nontisi is published

Mgqwetho,the first poem of Nontisi is published

Date
23 Oct 1920
Updated
30 Sep 2019
Mgqwetho,the first poem of Nontisi is published

Mgqwetho, the first poem of Nontisi (Cizama, Imbongikazi yakwaCizama) was published in Umteteli under her clan name, Cizama. She is the sole significant female Xhosa poet up to now and her work is only now being rediscovered. She contributed close to ninety poems, which urged South African Black people to put aside their differences and unite to fight against the White oppressors. Her poetry also recognised the role of rural people in the struggle against apartheid. Click here to read more about the arts in South Africa Click here to read specifically about South African literature

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How we know this

  1. 01Sonderling, N.E. (ed.) New Dictionary of South African Biography, v. 2.
  2. 02Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Mgqwetho,the first poem of Nontisi is published. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011424

South African History Online (2011) 'Mgqwetho,the first poem of Nontisi is published', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011424 (Accessed: 8 August 2026).

South African History Online, Mgqwetho,the first poem of Nontisi is published [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011424, (accessed 8 August 2026).

"Mgqwetho,the first poem of Nontisi is published." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011424. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

South African History Online. "Mgqwetho,the first poem of Nontisi is published." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011424.

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