Reflections on KPD Maphalla’s poetry: political, spiritual and social perspectives

Abstract

This article explores the poetry of KPD Maphalla as a distinguished creative writer who left his footprint on African literature, Basotho literature in particular. His creative writings has brought significant changes in the lives of Africans who found hope in poetry. His creative writing reflects an African worldview because his poetry is like a mirror that Africans can hold up to look at themselves. It a mirror that shows them who they have been and who they are now. His artistic expression gave Africans a voice, and his creative works are viewed as having a positive impact in many societies. Maphalla’s creative art played an important role in the social and cultural development of the Basotho community, and his creative expressions in different genres expressed the political, spiritual, historical as well as social concerns for his people. His creative writing covers dimensions such as political, historical, and sociological issues. For this article, both thematic discourse analysis and multiplicity of meaning will be employed as guiding frameworks to examine Maphalla’s poetry under discussion.