By Unathi Sandi
Legendary isiXhosa writer Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi is being honoured this week by Rhodes University’s School of African Languages and Literatures. SEK Mqhayi Week, which launched on Monday, celebrates the writer’s profound contributions to the isiXhosa literary tradition across multiple genres, and highlights his enduring impact on South Africa’s cultural landscape as a whole.
Siphosethu Jente, a drama and IsiXhosa joint honours student at the institution, reworked Mqhayi’s landmark novel, Ityala Lamawele, for the stage. Judging by the audience’s response to the performance this week, she did a stellar job in re-imagining this masterpiece which Lovedale Press first published in 1914.
The director told Grocott’s Mail about her creative process including understanding the story’s cultural significance. Jente said she and her team incorporated traditional isiXhosa elements such as the ukombhela, umnqungqo and the isiXhosa dialogue to bring the cultural context of the play to life. To do this, she consulted with cultural and linguistic experts such as Professor Linda Kwatsha and Dr Bulelwa Nosilela to ensure linguistic accuracy and integrity, which was a great part of Mqhayi’s work.
“My biggest challenge as the director of the play was balancing cultural sensitivity and artistic expression by ensuring that in our interpretation of Tat’Mqhayi’s work we still maintain respect and the authenticity,” Jente said. “Additionally, finding ways to adapt the traditional Xhosa music and ceremonies for a theatrical setting while maintaining cultural respect was a challenge.”
Anele Liwani, assistant stage manager for Ityala Lamawele, said, “Usually, being a stage manager for a production is to make sure the set is in order. However, with this production, it was different because we first had to understand the play itself — understand its context so that we could deliver not just for the audience, but also in making sure the vision of both the director and the performers is well-executed as far as things such as the set, the lighting and the costumes are concerned.”
Another notable highlight of this week’s celebration was the presence of Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, who delivered a public lecture honouring Mqhayi’s enduring legacy. Additionally, Dr X. Tshongolo offered a thought-provoking address on the lasting impact of Mqhayi’s work on contemporary poets, reflecting on the significance of his contributions 150 years after his birth.
