Flying Above the Sky:

Selected Poems:

2008 saw the release of Lebo’s second anthology of poetry, which marked the poet’s first foray into self-publishing. The book contains 78 poems and is the culmination of three years of writing during which the author travelled extensively internationally and throughout South Africa. This work contains Mashile’s signature themes of gender, identity, spirituality, and politics. It also includes the new and significant theme of travel. Flying Above the Sky reflects the author’s maturity as a writer as it is a much more personal and vulnerable collection of work. Once again, Mashile’s unique sense of rhythm and performance is unmistakable.

Price: R150

In A Ribbon of Rhythm

Selected Poems:

Lebo Mashile’s debut anthology of poetry was published in 2005 as a joint partnership between Oshun (Struik) and Mutloatse Arts Trust. The collection is comprised of material that was written when the poet was between the ages of 21 and 25. During that period, Lebo began to create major waves on the cultural landscape of South Africa as a performance artist, actress and television personality. The work is reflective of a diverse array of influences from spirituality to oral tradition to identity. It went on to win the most prestigious literary award for African literature, the NOMA Award for Publishing the Africa in 2006. At the time, Mashile was the youngest author ever to receive this award.

Price: R100