Exposing impropriety and the degeneration of ubuntu through satire in selected isiZulu poems

Abstract

This article examines the skill employed by poets in creating satirical isiZulu poems and the extent to which these satirical elements have been used in exposing indecent and immoral acts that reveal the degeneration of ubuntu culture. IsiZulu writers and researchers have not dealt with the aspects of satire as a literary genre much. As a result, this article discusses model satirical poems to unearth rare skills used in isiZulu satire. This is beneficial to reluctant writers and those who have little exposure to satire. The article is centred on five poems by four prominent writers chosen for their richness in elements of satire. The study adopts a discourse analysis method as a qualitative approach to textual analysis. Critical discourse analysis is used to support the interpretation and analysis of the idiomatic language used in the poems. The author argues that some of the satirical isiZulu poems resemble traditional praise poems where the poets criticise and ridicule those in power for their stupidity or vices. The study concludes that the poets use certain elements of satire depending on the context of the poems.