Difference between revisions of "Mongane Wally Serote"

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== Biography ==
 
== Biography ==
 
Serote was born in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, South Africa on 8 May 1944, and went to school in Alexandra, Lesotho, and Soweto. He was held in detention in 1969, left the country in 1979 to live in Botswana. On his return he became head of the ANC Cultural Desk.  
 
Serote was born in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, South Africa on 8 May 1944, and went to school in Alexandra, Lesotho, and Soweto. He was held in detention in 1969, left the country in 1979 to live in Botswana. On his return he became head of the ANC Cultural Desk.  
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===His writing===
  
 
His published poems include ''Yakhal ‘inkomo'' (1972), ''Tsetlo'' (1974), ''No Baby Must Weep'' (1975) ''Behold: Mama, Flowers'' (1978) ''Selected Poems'' (1981), ''Come and Hope with Me'' (1994) and the novel ''To Every Birth its Blood'' (1981).  
 
His published poems include ''Yakhal ‘inkomo'' (1972), ''Tsetlo'' (1974), ''No Baby Must Weep'' (1975) ''Behold: Mama, Flowers'' (1978) ''Selected Poems'' (1981), ''Come and Hope with Me'' (1994) and the novel ''To Every Birth its Blood'' (1981).  
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His poetry has often been used in performances. Notably also at MDALI’s Black Arts Festival in Soweto in 1973.
 
His poetry has often been used in performances. Notably also at MDALI’s Black Arts Festival in Soweto in 1973.
  
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He contributed to the creation of the musical play ''[[Phiri]]''.
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==Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance==
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For a time he was chairman of the Board of Directors of [[Jo'Burg City Theatres]].
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===As playwright===
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His plays include:
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* ''[[Phiri]]'' (with [[Barney Simon]], [[Oswald Mthsali]], [[Stanley Motjuwadi]], 1972)
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* ''[[Shades of Change]]'' (1982)
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* ''[[The Way We Heal]]'' (2013)
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He wrote the plays ''[[Shades of Change]]'' and ''[[The Way We Heal]]''.
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===Documentary===
  
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Chairman of the Board of Directors of Jo’Burg City Theatres.
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Serote is featured in ''[[Wally Serote - South African Poet]]'' a 1987 documentary film by [[Meridian Productions]].
  
 
== Awards, etc. ==
 
== Awards, etc. ==

Revision as of 12:32, 8 October 2026

Mongane Wally Serote (1944-). Highly regarded poet and novelist.

Biography

Serote was born in Sophiatown, Johannesburg, South Africa on 8 May 1944, and went to school in Alexandra, Lesotho, and Soweto. He was held in detention in 1969, left the country in 1979 to live in Botswana. On his return he became head of the ANC Cultural Desk.

His writing

His published poems include Yakhal ‘inkomo (1972), Tsetlo (1974), No Baby Must Weep (1975) Behold: Mama, Flowers (1978) Selected Poems (1981), Come and Hope with Me (1994) and the novel To Every Birth its Blood (1981).

His poetry has often been used in performances. Notably also at MDALI’s Black Arts Festival in Soweto in 1973.

Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance

For a time he was chairman of the Board of Directors of Jo'Burg City Theatres.

As playwright

His plays include:


Documentary

Serote is featured in Wally Serote - South African Poet a 1987 documentary film by Meridian Productions.

Awards, etc.

ACT Award 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award – Literature.

Sources

SA History Online [1].

Wikipedia [2].

https://www.artic.edu/artworks/244087/shades-of-change

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