poet muses: Isabella Motadinyane, poet (1963 – 2003)

Poetry Potion | September 11th, 2013 | current issue, poet muses | No Comments
source: © Poetry International Web

isabella motadinyane was a born genius she went as far as grade 5 at school… highly spiritual person chosen by her ancestors to serve them as a sangoma to be… if you argue or disagree without any valid reasonable point… uyadoya you fail dismal she would put you to shame and prove you wrong on the spot…” Ike Muila’s tribute in Bella the collected poems of Isabella Motadinyane, published posthumously by Botsotso Publishing.

This Soweto-born, South African poet was a member of Botsotso Jesters along with Allan Kolski Horwitz, Ike Muila, Siphiwe ka Ngwenya and Anna Varney.

Her poem ‘One Leg In’, inspired the naming of Botsotso Jesters.

Isabella was a unique voice in South African poetry. Writing with a mix of languages – tsotsitaal, Sotho and English – her poetry is vibrant and inspiring. As a performer she had a great energy and spirit. The musicality of her work, her strong singing voice has made sure that she has left an enduring legacy.

poetry-is-not-a-luxury

This the third print quarterly from Poetry Potion. Inspired by Audre Lorde’s essay, this edition is themed “Poetry Is Not A Luxury”

features: poet profile – Tereska Muishond who talks about how writing had affected her life positively and about her award winning chorepoem Te Veel Vir ‘n Coloured Girl.

poetry: Fasaha Mshairi, Mandy Mitchell, Ayabulela Tutuse, Saurell Boyers, Morula wa Kutukgolo, Monique Barnard

published in print quarterly number three Poetry Is Not a Luxury

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