I'm currently in launch for the re-print of Malibongwe: Poems from the struggle, which was an anthology of poetry by women in the ANC and in exile

Speaking now is Mam Lindiwe Mabuza, who edited and compiled the first edition. She's explaining how Prof Kgositsile, and ANC delegation to FESTAC contributed to and shaped the collection while scattered all over the world

The book was, of course, banned in South Africa, but found life in Europe and was subsequently translated into a number of languages. This is the first time, almost 4 decades later, that the book has occupied artistic & historical real estate in South Africa

Dr Uhuru Phalafala found out about this book from Prof Kgositsile while reading towards her PHD on him. She describes this process as one of repatriation

Post Sharpeville, the banning of many leaders led to what has been termed the silent decade when it comes to the liberation arts in South Africa, however, the 1960's produced so much. This led her to her scholarly enquiry into the movements and activities of this period.

Her project "recovering the subterranean archive" understand that we will not find ourselves in the mainstream. We must look at fugitivity. We must look at the underground in order to "recover", to bring wholeness, to bring healing...

Makhosazana Xaba wrote the introduction for the re-print. She speaks about the intimacy, and the connections history has created for her, as a woman, as an activist, as a feminist, as a writer

Ambassador Mosholi, who contributed to the book, urges us to remember Mam Florence Moshodi, who ironically died on the 9th of August in 1985.

Mam Florence, and OR Tambi understood the importance of this work and encouraged the young women of the ANC, in exile to contribute

More on Florence Moposhe here: https://www.sahistory.org.za/people/florence-mophosho

Ambassador Mosholi mentions that there was also an anthology of short stories.... but no-one really knows where or how to find it now

Ambassador Sankie Mthembu-Mahanyele, who wrote and operated under the nom de guerre Rebecca Matlou adds on the topic of remembering, and encourages to approach the trends of "the first black" and "first black women" with humility and the weight of history

Lindiwe Mabuza, who is about to read from the book, reminds us that this is not the first time the poems will be heard. They were broadcast over Radio Freedom.

Lindiwe Mabuza, before reading a poem by Zindzi Mandela, tells us that the first copy was handed to OR Tambo, who exclaimed, this is us.

This is the only poem in the anthology that came from inside the country... written by a young Zindzi Mandela, who Mam Lindiwe describes as "just a child"... it's a heartbreaking poem that reminds us of how black children were robbed of youth and suckled on mourning and longing

Ambassador Mthembi-Mahanyele reads her poem. She tells the back story: They were in the GDR (East Germany), enrolled in a journalism course. One day while out, a man sent their table a bottle of wine in an act of solidarity. Out of that evening came her poem.

Mam' Baleka Mbete takes a moment to thank her sisters and fellow contributors before vangile gantso reads her poem "Exile Blues"

A guest asks a question about the Quatro Prison Camp in Angola. Ngithi Yikes bazalwane.

On Quatro: https://www.justice.gov.za/trc/media/1997/9707/s970722f.htm