Lesego Rampolokeng - Works

Works

Lesego Rampolokeng prominence happened in the 1980s, a very turbulent time in South Africa. He blew into the poetry scene and his interesting mix of poetry, rap and later music, set him apart from his peers. He refused to pay lip service to public figures in the past or currently - instead speaking bluntly and using his poetry to sharply criticise the establishment. His first instalment of poetry was Horns for Hondo (1991) and followed by a very provocative and uncompromising End Beginnings (1993). Lesego collaborates with musicians. He has performed in many countries and with musicians such as Julian Bahula, Soulemane Toure, Louis Mhlanga and Gunther Sommer. He collaborated with the Kalahari Surfers on the appropriately wooden and aggravatingly memorable track, "The Desk," found on the album End Beginnings. His stage performance is powerful and engaging. He may recite off by heart (memorised material), or he may choose to read (recital).

He is directly influenced by the writings of Frantz Fanon and he comes from the Black Consciousness era of the 1970s and 1980s. Horns for Hondo (1991, COSAW) launched Rampolokeng's writing career. He is a voracious reader and he has been "sucking the tit of Fanon" who he appreciates deeply. He idolises Ingoapele Madingoane, Matsemela Manaka and Maishe Maponya. Ingoapele Madingoane in particular had an immense influence on Rampolokeng becoming a writer.

Rampolokeng does not consider himself a poet, or what he does a poet. He is just a writer. He became popular for one of his poems where he claimed to shoot the English with bullets that are British. In another important piece of work Riding the Victim's Train (title of the CD / album is "The H.a.l.f Ranthology"), Rampolokeng calls himself a leper cast out in the desert, and cold, without a snout or paw in the pot of gold.

Rampolokeng has denied any relation or being a lap dog or mouth-piece of any political party. He is not only critical of the ANC or government, he is critical of politics / politicians in general.

Lesego Rampolokeng is one of the most respected poets of his generation in South Africa and he is a strong figure in the poetry fraternity of South Africa. His work is canonical and he is revered by many. He commands respect in the writing scene in South Africa - for his critical writing and his politically unforgiving statements. He has shared a stage with local and international poets including Kgafela oa Magogodi, Lefifi Tladi, Lebo Mashile and Natalia Molebatsi. Some academics and critics have compared Rampolokeng to the late Dambudzo Marechera because of his non-complacent and often confrontational writing. He appears in the documentary Giant Steps (2005) directed by Geoff Mphakati and Aryan Kaganof. He participated in the Poetry International Festival Rotterdam in 2001.