A Video Of South African Poet Makhafula Vilakazi (with selected comments from that video's discussion thread)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of South African poet Makhafula Vilakazi whose poetry is "a fusion of Tsotsitaal, English, Zulu and Sotho interspersed into an uncompromising depiction of township life"...

Selected comments from this video's discussion thread are also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural and aesthetic purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Makhafula Vilakazi for his powerful poetry and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Makhafula Vilakazi at POETRY AFRICA 2014



Centre for Creative Arts, Published on Feb 12, 2015

Going by the name Makhafula Vilakazi (the title of one of his poems), Matodzi Gift Ramashia grew up in Chiawelo, Soweto. His poetry is a fusion of Tsotsitaal, English, Zulu and Sotho interspersed into an uncompromising depiction of township life, exploring issues which affect his community such as HIV and AIDS, unemployment and crime. An exponent of a genre which he calls ‘Kasie Poetry’, Makhafula Vilakazi says his writing is influenced and inspired by the striking similarities of life’s contrasts.

He has recited his poetry on various television shows over the years including Shift, Morning Live, Mzansi Insider, Mzansi Magic, and Dlala Ngeringas. In 2012, he was a guest commentator in the critically acclaimed documentary series Why Are We So Angry? He was invited to write and recite a tribute poem to Nelson Mandela as part of the SABC 1 memorial services for the late President. Over the years, he has been invited to recite at a number of commercial radio stations including YFM, Metro FM, Power FM, Ukhozi FM, 702 Talk Radio as well community radio stations such as Kasie FM, Eldos FM, Thetha FM, Jozi FM and Alex FM. He has published some of his poems in an anthology Sections of Six which was published by Botsotso Publishers.

Recently, Vilakazi collaborated with renowned, respected and award-winning South African rapper Tuks Senganga in his album Tshwanelo – an album that was nominated for a South African Music Award (SAMA). He is also featured in a critically acclaimed poetry documentary by legendary poet Lesego Rampolokeng titled Word Down The Line, which explores the state of the country 20 years into democracy.
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Here are some selected comments from this video's discussion thread (with numbers added for referencing purposes only):

1. abel chuma, 2015
"nothing like this Vilakazi's work true kasi poetry"
-snip-
From https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Kasi
"Kasi
kasi is the name used for South Afica black's hoods.
I'm tsotsi from kasi
I am gangster from the hood.
by marvin October 01, 20043."

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2. Nomfundo Mndebele, 2016
"yho, this guy.
where is he from?
informed,creative, brutally honest,funny"

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REPLY
3. Nuckie China, 2016
"Nomfundo he's from Soweto,, one of South Africa's best actually"

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4. Fikile Shangase, 2016
"YOHHH THE VOICE ALONE LURES MY MIND AND MY EARS TO KEEP LISTENING TO THIS GUY....WOOOW"

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5. Gao Rakate, 2017
"Makhufula uya khafula, the truth about the township, the truth about the uprising a black child, teen and Man...The creativity and the truthfulness is out of boundaries... Much Love to African poetry"

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6. kholeka shabalala, 2017
"My heart tore with each poem he recited. He's very talented. Wow!!"

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7. Thandeka Mbhele, 2017
"Aiybo....WOW! Nice work."

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8. Samuel Mokolutlo, 2017
"I bow. He is one of the best poets I have ever heard"

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9. Tshepang Khitshane, 2017
"This man is very powerful yho"

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10. Thapelo king, 2017
"eish this poem "ding shapa pelong" remind me my township life KAGISO EXT12, Swaneville , Mnandini, Tshepisong . Vilakazi your talented"

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11.
Boikarabelo Lekoane, 2017
"Glen Dlamini, Glen Magalagala, Glen maDustbin, Glen never clean, never married...never employed"

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12. Mduduzi Nkosi, 2018
"Thank you my brother"

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13. DJ Almo, 2018
"Listen man this is some crazy scary lovely creative poetry....u can never find this type any where else....respect"

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14. Tizozo Matravanka, 2018
"This guy is powerful he is really khafuling good gamz"

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15. Pakamani Pungulwa, 2018
"Raw and Lyrical Poems...Outstanding Performance. Kasi Wise.Ghetto Minded. Uyabulala Bra."

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16. Abram Thabeng, 2018
"Malume, each time your pen touches paper there is fire..

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