Abstract
This study analyses selected themes in the poetry of E.J. Mhlanga. It reveals some of the techniques that he employs to reveal the direct and indirect themes in his poetry. These themes are education, love and religion. This study uses the qualitative research approach to collect data. It analysed three poetry books, which served as primary sources that Mhlanga wrote single-handedly and co-authored, namely Izigi Zembongi (2004) edited by Maphumulo, Izingcula Zembongi (1993) and Izingcazi Zogqozi (1987) both by Mhlanga. The secondary sources that are used in this study include journal articles, published and unpublished research works, dictionaries and online sources. The theoretical framework of post-colonialism serves as the basis of this study. The findings reveal that Mhlanga writes about timeless themes. The content that he presents is still relevant in South Africa today, although some of the poems are in anthologies that were published before South Africa gained its independence. Emancipation and liberty are observed in the way Mhlanga presents his ideas and messages to his audience. The findings also reveal creativity in the poetry of Mhlanga, where natural phenomena, such as the river, fountain, and birds, are used to describe the themes, which make it easier for one to understand the subject matter of the poems...
M.A. (African Languages)