Mafika Gwala


Mafika Pascal Gwala was a contemporary South African poet and editor, writing in English and Zulu.

Early life and education

Mafika Gwala was born and grew up in Verulam, north of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. He completed an M.Phil. in Politics from the University of Natal and was a researcher at Manchester University.

Work and activism

Gwala spent most of his adult life in Mpumalanga Township, west of Durban. He worked in a factory, as a legal clerk, an industrial relations officer, a high school teacher, and a guest university lecturer, aside from writing and editing.
Gwala was active in the struggle against apartheid and a leading light of the 1970s Black Consciousness movement, of which he says:

Writing

In 1982, Gwala published a book of Black Consciousness poetry in a collection called No More Lullabies. His work is characterised by a rhythmic musicality he attributes to the Zulu language. In 1991, he edited and translated into English a collection of Zulu writing entitled Musho! Zulu Popular Praises.

Works

Poetry
  • Jol'iinkomo
  • No More Lullabies
Edited