Struggle stalwart and poet, Mzwakhe Mbuli, will be inducted into the Wall of Fame at the Soweto Theatre. The Joburg City Theatre will induct The People's Poet, as he is affectionately known, at the Gibson Kente stage on Heritage Day. He will be among the recipients of the Legends of Soweto in the City of Gold to be honoured during the gala evening.

BIG HONOUR

The anti-apartheid activist, who first performed at the iconic Regina Mundi Church in Rockville in 1981, came to the spotlight when he recited two poems, Sies and Ignorant at a memorial concert for Father Castro Moyathula. People started to take notice as he performed in different political rallies around the country. By the time he released his debut album, Change Is Pain, in 1987, the National Party government banned him. Mbuli released a second album, Unbroken Spirit, which reached gold status without any radio or TV airplay. 

POLITICAL TIES

He was in almost all political and cultural circles, even where he was one of the few artists to openly defy the apartheid government. For his work of calling for the release of Nelson Mandela, Mbuli was arrested and tortured in detention. He is one of the political activists who were detained without trial by the notorious Security Branch. When Mandela was inaugurated as the first democratically elected president in 1994, Mzwakhe performed there at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. The September 24 event will see Mzwakhe being honoured by Joburg City Theatre's artistic director, James Ngcobo.

Called for comment, Mzwakhe said CEO Xoliswa Nduneni Ngema and her committee will issue public statements regarding the forthcoming event at the Soweto Theatre.