Zolani mkiva biography sample

Zolani Mkiva is one of the youngest practitioners of one of the oldest oral traditions in Africa, Ukubonga (praise singing). Hailing from Dutywa -a small town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, Zolani rose to prominence in 1990 when, barely a year after becoming a fully-fledged Imbongi Yesizwe (Poet of the Nation), the schoolboy was called upon to salute with a red hot rendition the recently released Nelson Mandela at his Welcome Home Rally in Transkei.

1991 saw Zolani complete his matriculation, after which he went on to complete a degree in Social Sciences at UWC (The University of the Western Cape), all while continuing his practice as Imbongi, assisting and heading up community projects.

His studies included oral traditions, history and cultural issues, and in this way, he became a dual practitioner and scholar of African Poetry as well as Traditional Music. This opened a new path of a wonderful combination as he employed his poetry for musical compositions.

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