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1. NDABEZINHLE SIGOGO : THE GODFATHER OF NDEBELE LITERATURE
A short thread....
Sigogo is credited for structuring how the Ndebele novel was to be written. He was editor at the Literature Bureau, which was a government department in Rhodesia. Before that he was a teacher.
A short thread....
Sigogo is credited for structuring how the Ndebele novel was to be written. He was editor at the Literature Bureau, which was a government department in Rhodesia. Before that he was a teacher.
2. A lot of Zimbabwean writers, in all languages went through his hands. Sigogo edited over 21 novels and at least 200 writers went through his hands during his career at the Literature Bureau. One of the finest authors to emerge in those days is Barbara Makhalisa.
3. Some of Sigogo's proteges include Phathisa Nyathi, Cont Mhlanga & Albert Nyathi. Sigogo edited a lot of Ndebele novels.
4. According to Cont Mhlanga, Sigogo "... is the godfather of Ndebele literature. The reason why he is so under-appreciated is that he chose to express himself in an indigenous language. It’s not that he could not write in English."
5. To date Sigogo's poetry works and novels are used at high school and university level.
6. According to Phathisa Nyathi Sigogo was "... generally a quiet man who didn’t say much. It was at parties, after he had one or two, that Sigogo the writer would emerge. He would start reciting poetry & showing you some moves..."
7. Sigogo died in 2006. Some of his famous works include Etshabhini, Indlalifa Ngubani?, Gudlindlu Mntanami,USethi Ebukhweni Bakhe, Lapho Intsha Isivukile, Amandla Othando, Iziga Zalintombi, Noma Sengifile, A visit to the graves & Akugobo Lingeqondiswe.
