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This is a simple poem where a poet depicts his love for South Africa, calling forth praise from the valleys,
the plains, the mountains and the sea, as well as from all the people living therein.
It is, however, poetry with a purpose: to unite the people in fervour for their country. This is not the poet
speaking of his own inner self but rather the poet striking a nationalistic tone.
ABOUT THE POET
Sandile Dikeni was born in Victoria West in the old Cape Province -- today the Northern Cape -- but
would finish high school in the Eastern Cape in what was then the Ciskei.
He made attempts at studying law at both Wits University and the University of the Western Cape but
would eventually receive a National Diploma in Journalism through the Peninsula Technikon.
Dikeni became drawn into student politics and unrest during the dark days of the 1980s, and would spend
some months in prison. It was then he discovered that poetry had a power to move people and could be
used for political purposes.
He began to conduct readings of poetry while in prison. After his release, he would continue these
readings at political and cultural events. He has, however, also appeared on international stages around
the world.
He worked as a journalist and became editor of Die Suid Afrikaan, a bilingual political journal.
Thereafter he was involved in radio with the SABC and later became the arts editor at The
Cape Times.
His poetry, however, had already found its way into newspapers and, in 1992, his first anthology called
Guava Juice was published. This was soon followed by Telegraph to the Sky.
Initially he was known as a political poet but, after the democratic elections in 1994, he moved steadily into
themes of broader appeal.
His public recitations are always from the heart, never bound to his text and therefore always differing from
the printed versions.
Today he lives and works in Cape Town where he is still committed to poetry, with regular workshops at
the Phillipi informal settlement.
Have you looked at the questions in the right column?
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TEST YOURSELF!
Read the left column and then answer the following questions:
"My country
is for joy
so talk the mountains
with baboons
hopping from boulder to boulder
in the majestic delight
of cliffs and peaks"
- Why would the poet choose the mountains to symbolize joy? (4)
[Need help?]
In a sense, it is the baboons which are talking on behalf of the mountains. One could certainly argue that
the baboons show a degree of joy and freedom as they hop from boulder to boulder.
On the other hand, the mountains when personified are ancient and wise, contemplating for aeons the
beauty of the universe.
Although one would be hard-pressed to say that a monk was happy under his cowl, contemplating in the
darkness, he nevertheless is so -- a deep, slow, contemplative happiness as he communicates with his
maker. This would then also be true for the mountains.
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- Why does the poet speak of the "majestic delight of cliffs and peaks"? (4)
[Need help?]
There is a sense of boundless delight when one views the mountains and the peaks from close up and
away from human habitation. They are so big, so awesome, so majestic.
One feels that God -- or the Universe -- is speaking through them, delivering a quiet message of eternity
and tranquillity. By contrast, humans appear so small and our lives so brief.
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"My country
is for health and wealth"
- What items does the poet choose as examples of "health" and
"wealth"? (4)
[Need help?]
The poet speaks of the "jewels of fish" in the blue sea, and the "golden voice" of the miners
as they sing their songs of praise far beneath the surface of the earth.
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- Is the poet's juxtapositioning of "health" and "wealth" a logical one? (4)
[Need help?]
Both images are indeed symbols of health and wealth.
The blue sea and the fish darting around in it bring to mind restful holidays and delight -- both health and
wealth.
The miners dig for gold -- wealth -- but have to be healthy in order to expend such energy while singing
lustily as they dig.
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"hear
the golden voice
of a miner's praise
for my country"
- Is the poet being romantic rather than accurate when speaking of "the golden voice" of the
miners? (4)
[Need help?]
It has long been the symbol of working class political parties -- like the Communist Party -- to portray
the workers as well muscled and with shiny, smiling faces which encapsulate their joy in working for their
country.
This is a most romantic picture which is portrayed for political purposes: to rally the workers to the cause.
The same is true when speaking of the miners' golden voices.
One could argue, however, that this is merely a romantic picture that has no real link to reality.
Miners are often sickly, suffering from emphysema from the constant exposure to dust. Their songs are
not of joy at all but of hard labour, beating out a rhythm which carries them through long hours of drudging
work.
If they could, the miners would definitely be doing something else. Indeed, if they had such golden voices,
they would make more money as pop-singers.
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GENERAL QUESTIONS:
In the final two stanzas, the poet moves away from personification and calls instead for a use of human
observation.
- What words underline this change? (3)
[Need help?]
"Hear the golden voice of a miner's praise."
"Feel the millions" and "see their passion."
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The poet adopts a most romantic stance within the final two stanzas.
- Is he correct in doing so? (4)
[Need help?]
The poet writes with a purpose: to uplift the people. It is poetry with an end in mind, not poetry to express
the inner feeling of the poet himself.
He therefore utilizes the tried and tested romantic images of the working hero singing in joy as he labours,
plus the millions of people united in their celebration of their country.
In this sense, it is a very nationalistic poem which uses themes of nationalistic revival.
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Comment on the words "we shall celebrate" as a fitting conclusion to this poem. (4)
[Need help?]
These words must be seen in the context of the poet's nationalistic theme: praise of his country, using
words to conjure up nationalistic fervour.
When viewed in this light, the words "we shall celebrate" are most fitting because they tie together
this most nationalistic objective.
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