First published in 1971 and reissued in 2012, this landmark collection gives voice to the working men of South Africa under apartheid. Mtshali’s poems capture both the banality and the extremity of daily life — the indignities of The System, the energy of the ancestors, the quiet endurance of ordinary people living under extraordinary oppression.
More than an artistic pastime, this collection is a medium for articulating feelings, ideas, and beliefs that history tried to silence. This edition makes the work available again after many years, presenting the poems in both English and the original Zulu — a bilingual testament to South Africa’s literary and cultural heritage.
A landmark in South African poetry. Perfect for readers of resistance literature, SA poetry, and bilingual editions. Pairs beautifully with the work of Mazisi Kunene and the broader canon of South African voices of struggle and heritage.
Rated ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ on Goodreads (~4.1/5) — “A landmark in South African poetry.” / “Mtshali’s voice is raw, lyrical, and unforgettable.”
A paperback in Fair condition — visible wear, but all pages present and intact.
