Jabulani Mzinyathi

In the Steel Talons Jabulani Mzinyathi

This work from the mind of Jabulani Mzinyathi deals with the themes that are dealt with in the collections of poems entitled Under the Steel Yoke and Righteous Indignation. The poems deal with among other themes oppression, corruption, despair, liberation and hope. Zimbabwe was torn to shreds under the misrule of Mugabe. A dangerous personality reigned supreme. There was a deification of Mugabe who drove millions into exile through draconian rule. Corruption ran riot. These poems under the title In The Steel Talons capture those issues and the inability now of the country's non existent health system to cope with a whole host of diseases including the scything covid 19. The poet has a fascination with steel due to the Stalinist methods employed by the ruling elite to suppress any dissenting voices. Mugabe duped the world and masqueraded as a nationalist. Heidi Holland called him ' the freedom fighter who became a tyrant.' The poems are an insider's view that seeks to show the resilience of Zimbabweans under despotism. Hope refuses to die!