Published in 2021, “Water and Lights” focuses on themes of love, politics and social issues including corruption, inequality and poverty.
Elaborating on the inspiration behind the book, Madinana said: “It’s been almost 30 years since we attained our freedom but the quality of life in the black townships has not improved much.
“We are still faced with water shortages and power cuts. The money that is meant to improve the lives of the people is being stolen by politicians, which is very sad.
“And the youth is drowning in the oceans of alcohol and dying of drugs. There’s a high rate of murder in our society. We need to learn to love again.
“As a concerned citizen of this country, I have a responsibility to address the issues I am not happy about.
“I don’t have to be apologetic about questioning the leadership of this country. We have been dealing with load shedding for a very long time in this country but we still do not have measures in place to better the situation.
“The youth of this country is unemployed, the economy is still in the hands of the minority. There’s still so much inequality in this country.”
He credits his artistic influences to some of the continent’s greats including contemporary South African poet Mafika Gwala, Nigerian poet and novelist Ben Okri and South African anti-apartheid activist Bantu Stephen Biko.
The chapbook earned him a third prize in the Sol Plaatje EU Poetry Award in June 2021.
Meanwhile, the Joburg-based star continues with his poetry journey in and around the African continent.
“Poetry allows me to speak the truth without any fear. It is a literary genre in which I can express myself very easy.”
“Water and Lights” is available at Bridge Books and The Commune, in Cape Town, and at Clarkes Bookstore and Surplus Radical Bookstore.
