1970’s: Poetry Timeline

1971 Closure of The Classic, by Nat Nakasa, editor. Publication of ‘Sounds of a Cowhide Drum’, Oswald Mtshali’s first book of poetry, by Renoster Books, Johannesburg. 1972 Renoster Books publishes Mongane Serote’s first book of poetry, 1973 Wopko Jensma’s first book of poetry, Sing for Our Execution, is published,illustrated with his own woodcuts. 1974 The Writer’s and Artist’s Guild formed, to provide structures of support for all creative practitioners in South Africa. ‘Tsetlo’, Mongane Serote’s second book of poetry, is published. Wopko Jensma second book of poetry, Where White is the Colour, where Black is the Number, is published by Ravan Press. 1975 Sipho Sepamla’s first book of poetry, Hurry Up to it, is published by AD Donker. 27 June, Where white is the Colour, Where Black is the Number is banned by a notice in the government gazette in Pretoria (Pretoria Bureau 1975). 1976 June 16 Soweto Uprising. 100 students shot dead by police. A nationwide rebellion lasts for three months. Sipho Sepamla’s second book of poems, The Blues is You in Me’, is published. 1977 Sipho Sepamla’s third book of poems, ‘The Soweto I Love’, is published. Wopko Jensma’s third book of poems, Have You Seen My Clippings is published Banning of 18 cultural organizations and two Black-edited newspapers in 1977 1978 PEN, Johannesburg founded to bridge the gap between the Writers and artists Guild and the townships. It organised readings and performances in many parts of the country. These readings were attended by large and enthusiastic gatherings (Ndebele, p149, Gwala 1984, pp. 44-45). Jol ’nKomo, is published, Mafika Gwala’s first book of poetry First issue of Staffrider magazine published Behold Mama Flowers, is published, Mafika Gwala’s second book of poetry 1978 Call Me not a Man by Mtutuzele Matshoba, is published. Chris Van Wyk’s poetry collection, It is Time to Go Home, is published by AD Donker.