Sihle Ntuli, a poet, editor, and classicist originally from KwaMashu and now based in Newlands West has in the past decade published four poetry collections and carved out a distinctive voice in South Africa’s literary landscape. In his conversation with The Springfield Weekly Gazette (SWG), Ntuli reflects on his journey, influences, and the lessons learned along the way.
Springfield Weekly Gazette (SWG): Let’s go back a little. Where did your love for poetry begin?
Sihle Ntuli (SN): I was born in KwaMashu in 1990, and my first encounters with poetry were oral—through voices like Mzwakhe Mbuli and Zolani Mkiva. Later, after moving to New Germany and then Newlands West, I found myself missing the sense of community I once had. Writing became a way to recreate that warmth and belonging.
SWG: What inspires you in your daily surroundings?
SN: Small but powerful things: the smell of incense from a neighbour’s home, the call to prayer, the songs of the Shembe congregation on a Saturday morning. These everyday rhythms give me grounding and material.
SWG: Who are the poets and artists who influence you most?
SN: I admire people who use language in inventive, fearless ways. Locally and globally, there are too many to name, but I’ve always returned to writers who experiment with form and don’t shy away from politics and history.
SWG: As a poet who writes in both English and isiZulu, how do you approach language in your work?
SN: I see language as fluid. Sometimes English is the sharper tool, sometimes isiZulu carries the weight and music I need. The two aren’t in conflict—they enrich each other.
SWG: Your publishing journey hasn’t always been smooth, yet you’ve managed to put out four books in just over ten years. What kept you going?
SN: It hasn’t been easy. There were harsh reviews, moments of doubt, and the challenge of navigating the pan-African literary space, where competition is fierce and often dominated by bigger names. But writing is how I process life. Even when the reception wasn’t what I hoped, I knew I had to keep at it. Each book taught me something that prepared me for the next.
SWG: Zabalaza Republic in particular stirred conversation for its boldness. Looking back, what does that book represent for you?
SN: Zabalaza Republic was a turning point. It forced me to think deeply about audience and responsibility. It also taught me resilience. You cannot control how your work is received, but you can stand by the integrity of what you’re trying to say.
SWG: Alongside your writing, you’re also an editor and classicist. How do these roles shape your poetry?
SN: Editing sharpens your eye for language—you become more aware of what doesn’t need to be there. Being a classicist allows me to place African voices in dialogue with world traditions, which is something I try to foreground. It gives my work a wider context without ever losing its roots.
SWG: Your latest collection Owele has already been praised for its depth and resonance. How do you feel about this book compared to your earlier works?
SN: I am not a fan of calling any work my strongest, but Owele is the one I am the most satisfied with. It was written during the pandemic, a difficult time for everyone, and it reflects not just my growth as a writer but also the lessons of persistence, patience and experimentation I’ve carried through my career.
SWG: Finally, what advice would you give to young poets in KwaZulu-Natal who want to follow in your footsteps?
SN: Read widely, and not only poets. Be patient with your own growth. Find mentors, seek out communities of writers, and don’t be afraid of criticism. Most importantly, stay rooted in your own voice—because that is what will set you apart.
