Nothing will shut poet up

THE People's Poet, Mzwakhe Mbuli, is known for his venomous outbursts on issues close to his heart. Even a recent throat operation has failed to shut him up.

In fact, he says his detractors had set their heart on him not being able to speak again after the operation.

"There were murmurs that I was not going to be able to speak again. Some were even saying that I would have to learn sign language," says Mbuli with a foxy smile.

It is heartening that he has somehow found a new purpose in life; that of pioneering and honouring the departed. His passion for this cause is unmistakable and this is the project that has sparked a rift between him and Minister of Arts and Culture Lulu Xingwana.

So are he and the minister sworn enemies?

It is an emphatic "no" from Mbuli and he is quick to justify that. It appears it all stems from the Makeba Tribute Concert, which Mbuli believes was successful, despite the minister's alleged tireless efforts to sabotage it.

"The problem started when the minister wrote the lottery people a letter asking why they were funding a criminal to stage a concert. For me it was pure jealousy because the festival was a success though it clashed with two big events on that day.

"Her behaviour was unbecoming. She had no reason to do that. Even the Lotto people replied to her letter telling her that there was nothing unbecoming about my being funded.

"So you ask yourself, is this person in the Arts Department to unite or sow division? Instead of cleaning her house (the depart-ment), where R150million is unaccounted for, she is busy calling me a criminal.

"When I and other artists were campaigning for the ANC elections I was not a criminal. And now that she is a minister I am a criminal," says a visibly resentful Mbuli.

What irks him even more is the fact that artists were in the forefront of the ANC's election campaign and now counterfeit companies are trading with impunity, he says.

"Artists are beaten by counterfeit producers in front of law enforcers and nothing is being done about it. I have seen it with my own eyes.

"The very department that is being headed by Xingwana is supposed to be fighting piracy but she is not doing anything about it," Mbuli says.

Mbuli claims that after approaching Luthuli House in connection with the rift between him and the minister, efforts are afoot to arrange peace talks. He is willing to forgive the minister if she apologises.

"Yes, I am willing to forgive her. I am obliged to forgive for the sake of the arts and the rights of artists," he adds.

But don't expect Mbuli to be as robust campaigning for the rights of artists as he has been known to be in previous years.

He reckons he has done enough and now has another cause to occupy his time.

"Artists must fight for themselves as I have done too much for them. I mean, we can't expect Mandela or Tutu to be still fighting for us in this day and age.

"They have done their bit and, likewise, it is time for the artists to do it for themselves. I believe in passing the baton.

"But, a pastor will always be a pastor. So I will always be there for the artists fighting for their rights, but my heart and commitment is with Siyabakhumbula Awards," he says.