Celebrating the poetic voices of Somerset West

The Friends of the Somerset-West Library recently wrapped up their poetry competition with a prize-giving ceremony.

The competition, which attracted 24 creative entries, was a vibrant showcase of local talent, celebrating the theme "Place" across three language categories: English, Afrikaans, and isiXhosa.

The competition inspired a diverse range of interpretations, from nostalgic reflections on childhood homes, to vivid descriptions of natural landscapes.

The judges, Andrea Dondolo, Diana Ferris, Dorian Haarhoff and Melanie Willis, had their work cut out for them, but after much deliberation, three outstanding poets in each category were awarded for the poems they submitted.

In the English category, Patricia Pienaar took home the top prize,

The Afrikaans category saw Maroné Webb claim first place and in the isiXhosa category, prizewinner Phindile emani was celebrated for his powerful words.

The integrity of the competition was ensured by the diligent oversight of attorneys Miller and Bosman, who ensured that everything ran smoothly and fairly.

The Friends of the Somerset-West Library are thrilled with the success of this event and are already looking forward to next year’s competition.

They extend their heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and participants, and their sincere thanks to everyone who supported the event.

Afrikaans winning poem by Maroné Webb:

Ons Plek

Gordonsbaai is ons plek

Waar die son en see ons wek,

Waar die berg se groen

Ons met die natuur versoen.

Maar die wind kan ons waai

Tot anderkant Valsbaai.

En die see raak rof,

En groot en grys en onbeskof.

Tog, op hierdie plek wil ons bly,

Want hier voel ons vry

Om die lewe se golwe te ry

En op elke gebied te gedy.

Gordonsbaai ìs vir my.

English winning poem by Patricia Pienaar

Afternoon Tea

It would be nice, we thought –

Albert and I.

Tea – on Christmas day –

With them.

We brought some special chocolates:

a friendly gesture –

a thank-you.

There were mince pies on the splendid table –

And all the other festive

etcetera’s.

Being quite replete,

they did not eat,

but fed further

on the after-feast blandness

of their conversation.

My daughter was with them.

She loved their son, she thought,

and wore her lady mask with its painted smile.

And we, the Christmas after-thought,

said later,

“Good bye and thanks.”

We knew.

Theirs

IsiXhosa winning poem by Phindile Memani

Idolophu iCumakala

Kuloo minyak ingaphezu kwekhulu,

Batsho bancam oobawokhulu,

Belwela loo mmandl uqulethe lukhulu.

Am entla amaBhulu ebik ibuzi nembiba,

Ayibeke yaliwaka imiba,

Eyayibangela anganikezeli ngaloo mda weNciba.

Bango ndin elaphantse lasusa eyakwaZulu impi,

Afuth afufumal amaBhulu okwephimpi,

Lithulul ityhefu amathontsi eman ukuthi nkqompi.

Ayefanele phofu kuba luhl uhlaza!

Lwaloo mhlab umadlel aluhlaza,

Nezityalo ezifuz ukuwuphilis umhlaza,

Amanz amyoli aloo milambo,

Ixananaze nxa zonke okwemithambo,

Ejikojiko okomqokozo wentambo.

Ndaz iiNtaba zAmatola,

Ekuzingela kuz izanuse, nditsh amatola,

Zibinza ngekrele, nangeentolo zitola.

Int! idolophu ing iyaloya,

Neegusha zay ezitukutuku zenyama noboya.

Obumfumamfuma bumgaphetshethwa nangumoya.

Bobo boy obabuhlanjw eVolweni,

Kuloo fama yayimathaf adakas ooholweni,

Khawuhlohl engxoweni melusi undibhal edolweni!

Ngekhe ud uyoqabela kuQoboqobo,

Kuba sinazo nath iimazi zoqobo,

Nemiphaphalala yeenkab ezityhoboz iziqobo.

Ngeemini zengqele etsh uqhaqhazele,

Apho kutsh imilambo ebikad izele,

Ahlal eluhlaz amathaf akuXaxazele.

Itsh ingxol okweyabafana bebholorha,

Atsh aphapham ephaphazela amathongorha,

Ath ukufa kufikile kanti ziingxangxasi zamaxethuk aseXholorha.

– Phindile Memani

Translation:

The town of Stutterheim

In more than 100 years

Our ancestors fought in vain

Fighting for this land that carries much wealth

Those in power were not buying in their story

Stating thousand reasons

Not to succumb this land to them

This nearly resulted in a war

All parties involved very angry

Reasons kept on coming

I do not blame them as the land is very beautiful

With good grazing characteristics

Full of medicinal plants

With pure spring water easily flowing

Across this area like veins

Winding through the streams

I know Amatola mountains

Used by hunters effectively

Using all hunting mechanisms

The town is beautiful

With flock of sheep well bred

Reliable breeding improving enterprise profitability

Its wool is weaved

In one of the farms

All wools coming in big bags with shepherds for selling

You do not have to go to Keiskamahoek

As Stutterheim has good heifers

Masculine bulls with wide flat back as indicator of muscling

In wintry days with cold weather

All rivers become dry

Funny enough land maintains its greenery

You hear the sound of young men singing and ululating

Their sound waking up those in dreamland

Fearing that noise from valleys of Xholorha