The sixth edition of Imbiza Journal for African Writing has a special focus on anniversaries and other historic moments, while at the same time recognising emerging talent. This dual focus of Imbiza is embedded in its objectives of celebrating seasoned writers while recognising new talent.
The year 2023 is a significant one, marking the 200th anniversaries of both the founding of Lovedale Press as the first publishing house in South Africa, and the 200th anniversary of isiXhosa as a written language. The legacies of literary greats such as Sindiwe Magona, who turned 80 on 27 August, and William Bloke Modisane, who would have turned 100 on 28 August, are also celebrated. A number of articles critically engage with the works and legacies of these writers and highlight the significance of the historic moments. The works of these luminaries are juxtaposed with that of the new generation of authors such as Lebo Mazibuko, Jarred Thompson, Tshidiso Moletsane and Lebohang Masango, among others.
The literary feast in this edition also features writers from other African countries, including Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Lesotho. The regular menu of book reviews, interviews, poems, short stories, essays book reviews, is enhanced by new aesthetics. We have added the new element of pinup posters of writers that our readers may choose to keep for posterity. Imbiza firmly believes that writers deserve greater recognition in society. That is why our literary journal will always be a space for literary voices as well as a platform for profiling writers as both chroniclers and interlocutors of truths of our historic moment.
This pot has been simmering for a while, blending flavours to perfection. We are, therefore, delighted to finally dish out yet another sumptuous literary feast. We have no doubt that the menu will delight all our readers and sate their intellectual hunger.
Siphiwo Mahala, PhD.
Editor-in-Chief