The Elixir Poetry Podcast

25. African Literature, Language, and Cultural Identity with Silindiwe from Zimbabwe

Helen Wing

In this episode of Elixir, Helen is talking to Silindiwe, who is from Zimbabwe, about the Birthday Song she wrote in Ndebele for her son, Mbulelo, when he was born. 

  • The languages in Zimbabwe
  • English is considered the language of the elite in post-colonial Zimbabwe
  • Spreading awareness of African literature
  • Silindiwe: an ambassador for African literature 
  • Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
  • The politics of cultural identity in Africa
  • What the hell a kind of name is Jack?
  • The power of music to bridge linguistic, cultural and racial boundaries. 
  • The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born - Ayi Kwei Armah


Silindiwe's African Literature recommendations


Discover poetry through the heart of another…




Support The Elixir Poetry Podcast, buy Helen a coffee buymeacoffee.com/helenwing

The Podcast is Produced by Tom Platts at Sound Sapien
All Music Composed by Tom Platts
soundsapien.com