Veteran praise poet laid to rest

Jakobi Sixam, 54, of Mbashane in King William’s Town, a well-known praise poet in the BCM area, will be laid to rest today at his home. Sixam passed away last Wednesday.

Mncedi Liwani, a friend and fellow poet, says he first met Sixam in 1992 at the funeral of the victims of the Bhisho Massacre, where they engaged in praise poetry.

They remember Sixam for his works, but they also remember him for liking and appreciating his Xhosa language, according to Liwani.

“We will miss him because of the great contribution he made in training and nurturing budding praise poets until he led the Department of Water and Forestry in the Schools’ Competition for the Conservation of Forests and Rivers where the Eastern Cape province came back with awards for consecutive years. In terms of grooming emerging praise poets, he came out on top,” Liwani said.

Sixam has a number of awards and platforms that he walked on while he was alive.

He received these numerous awards after being honoured by the Department of Arts and Culture from various ministries.

Sixam excelled, according to Liwani, because he participated in events to commemorate days important to the Sebe Government during apartheid in the Ciskei.

Some of the platforms he walked on include struggle organisations’ events, the burial of aristocrats such as the late amaXhosa King Xolilizwe, the King of abaThembu baseRhode King Zwelenkosi, and Chiefs’ marriage gifting ceremonies.

“Years ago, when the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature was opened in Bhisho, since Premier Raymond Mhlaba days, Sixam’s praise poetry was extraordinary.

“Even when the House of Traditional Leaders was established, he contributed significantly with his praise poetry. Indeed, he has left his mark on the platforms of this province,” Liwani concluded.