The Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Anthology 2011

The inaugural European Union Sol Plaatje Poetry Competition Anthology honours the spirit of the legendary intellectual giant, Sol Plaatje, the activist, linguist and translator, novelist, journalist and leader.

This sparkling array of contributions from poets around the country will resonate with those who live in this country and those who love it from afar. The forefather inspiring this award and anthology, Sol Plaatje, observed the Boer War, translated Shakespeare, reflected on “Native Life” and played with proverbs. Wicked and beautiful as ever, so the poems in this anthology bring the depth and breadth of life in South Africa to a wider audience.

Personal themes of identity, isolation and and intimacy are pitted against the politics property and personhood, loss and love. Family and music, traffic and weather, bodies and buildings form the backdrop for the particular and familiar of South African life. Individual voices in a range of languages bear witness to all that is gruesome, glorious and gleeful. There is hope for a country when its poets pay attention.

Poets featured in the book include:

AFRIKAANS

Soekers Martha Pretoors

Verlore Beeltenis Martha Pretoors

ENGLISH

After Battiss Gillian Rennie

Anatomy Gail Dendy

Eight Critical Questions Kobus Moolman

Far Away Tanya van Schalkwyk

Has your Dad got a bird yet? Beverly Holm-Rycroft

His Explanations Kobus Moolman

In the Balance Dorian Haarhoff

List of Sound Effects Kobus Moolman

Miracle Dawn Garisch

My Ma se Blues Sadiq Khahn

She Imagines Luisa Soares

With her Feet on the Ground Gail Dendy

ISIXHOSA

Lovuka Lelisiko Bhekani Thabede

SEPEDI

Ga gese mekgotheng Puleng Nkomo

SETSWANA

Ba lebetse batlhoki Kea Modimoeng

About the award
The Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Award 2011 jury comprised distinguished South African poets Vonani Bila, Charl-Pierre Naudé, Robert Berold and Liesl Jobson. The jury deliberated on the entries and sent a shortlist to the country’s Poet Laureate, Professor Keorapetse Kgositsile, who will decide upon the winner.

Four finalists have been chosen and will be invited to attend the Poetry Africa festival in Durban in October 2011, and the winners will be announced by a European Union representative. A cash prize will be awarded. The anthology of the best poems will be launched at Poetry Africa on 20 October, 2011.

The Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Award is supported by the European Union.

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