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On September 7th 2021, Innocent Madzhoni penned a short reflection on Izikhothane culture entitled “Izikhothane: free or meaninglessly wild” which was published on The Agitator on the 10th of October 2021. The following piece seeks to provide preliminary remarks to this reflection in an attempt to interrogate what literary theorist Michael Riffaterre refers to as…
Darkness engulfs this lonely, closeted space. The bouts of power outages have struck again with a debilitating blow, possibly to be gone for the next three to four hours, leaving their helpless victims stranded with a crippling anxiety and the frustrating impotence of making ends meet. Save yet for this small gathering of three people…
Perhaps of all his tireless catalogue of work, Johnny Dyani is best known for his collaborations with some of the best musicians in the American and European jazz scene. By the late 70s and early 80s, Johnny Dyani had cemented himself as the most sought after double-bassist in Europe, having worked extensively with the who’s…
By Sinegugu Perseverance Sithole The voice in my headIt is so strong I can hear its echoSaying I should set myself free and let go.It says there’s nothing to live forThan just misery and suffering.People around me are dyingSo what’s the use of trying. The voice in my head.It is getting louder each day.What can…
By Innocent Madzhoni ‘If history has taught us anything, it is to never trust its narratives.’ (“The Calling” by Bekzin Terris plays.) This was the time where the Izikhothane culture was dying out. That—I must sigh heavily—culture of young black boys who found expression and freedom by burning money; wearing exclusive clothes, mostly from Italy;…
The name Madala Kunene evokes awe and reverence amongst many contemporary artists in the country, particularly those in the jazz and folk scene. Musicians such as the eminent Nduduzo Makhathini, Banda Banda and Sibusile Xaba have sung their praises and paid the musical respects to him. And while he is such a highly revered musical…
By Innocent Madzhoni Genre: Crime, Mystery, RomanceAuthor: The GivenboyYear Released: 2020Publisher: Self-PublishedRatings: 2.5/5 I FORGIVE HIM BECAUSE I HAVE RECENTLY READ HIS LATEST OFFERING. The prose jeopardizes the well-thought and intelligent plot. In fiction, you have two primary concerns for a great book: prose and plot. Many writers get the plot right, but miss at…
By Innocent Madzhoni the full moon carves itself at the corner of my eyeas I vault the gate,irate chattering,four taxis spread on the side of the roadforming a shape of snake ready to eat its prey.the last bread on the ground, eyes wide open,no times for prayersguns blazingfive dead, including my friend.a child of a…
By Motheo Mofokeng Liberate me from the languageOf liberal liarsNever literal, but like it’s literatureEver littered with figures and ornamentsMetaphors and euphemisms Liberate me from the languageOf liberal liarsWhose lies resound at every pitchLike the snarls of an angry bitchWhose deception is ever easy to detectYet unspeakably, never easy to reject Funny how they cannot…
It’s a scorching Sunday afternoon in Cape Town. The sun is out and accompanying them is the presence of the ever-radiant sunflowers as they bask under the glory of the evening sun. Opting to be outdoors, I sit under the porch on a personalized brick chair as I take a rather peculiar smoke break (peculiar…
The Agitator 