Africa-Press – Namibia. POETS reflect on the state of the nation in a new Namibian anthology published by Township Productions, Titled ‘Naming the Tomb: An Anthology of Poetry from Namibia’ (2021).
The collection was compiled and edited by Keamogetsi J. Molapong and features the work of 27 poets. To collect the composers, Molapong engaged poets he’s encountered, many of whom emerged through the activities of Township Productions’ poetry workshops, programmes and creative exchanges.
“Some of the poets are bold, others are subtle. Some others are witty and clever and the rest are feasting on words and making the ‘words work for them’,” says Molapong.
“I have come to appreciate them as poets, individuals and humans with a story and a scar to share.”
The scars, packaged in poetry and for all to see, include Namibia’s plague of sexual- and gender-based violence, the life of women, the country’s culture of corruption and the despair inherent in poverty.
While often socio-political or socio-economic in its themes, ‘Naming the Tomb’ also allows insight into the interior lives of its poets, shedding light on their beliefs, burdens, mental health, dreams and aspirations.
Featuring poets from across the country, ‘Naming the Tomb’ presents a selection of diverse voices and perspectives as activists, students, doctors, motivational speakers and social media managers find their voice.
“Our primary aim is to publish Namibian literature and share it with national, regional and international readership. What we want the readers to take away from this anthology are the thoughts, ideas, aspirations, frustrations and at times celebration of socio-political realities Namibians are facing every day,” says Molapong.
“We want the readers to hear the underlying stories that are, in most cases, silenced by the political and economic issues of the mainstream agendas.” The anthology’s title reflects these themes, says Molapong.
“Many of the participating poets wanted to know what I meant by ‘Naming the Tomb’ – I meant just that. I wanted us to discuss through poetic verse, the many ills in our society that are not necessarily talked about,” says Molapong.
“Phrases like ‘under the carpet’ and ‘the writing on the wall’ are loosely used but nobody has really lifted the carpets to see and take stock of what is hidden beneath. The anthology is aimed at naming these hidden yet open secrets and to write on the walls and project what we have written,” he says.
Beginning with an acknowledgement of the poets who wrote before them, namely Mvula ya Nangolo, Ben Ulenga, Hans Daniel Namuhuja and Dorian Haarhof, ‘Naming the Tomb’ arrives with passion, purpose and hope.
‘Naming the Tomb: An Anthology of Poetry from Namibia’ (2021) is available online through Amazon Books.
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