Guest : Zinhle Zulu

Zinhle Zulu is a modern day praise poet. She pays tribute to her heritage not only with
words, but finely detailed illustrations too. Growing up, she heard extraordinary tales of
Zulu culture. Safeguarded by oral tradition, these chronicles of history have been
passed down over generations. Through her art, Zulu contributes to the evolution of
storytelling. “I want to use my culture as a tool for teaching and uplifting others,” she
says.
While studying at the Open Window Institute in 2017, Zulu won a Gold Craft Loerie
Award for her zine, Holy Hustle. The recognition bolstered her confidence. To continue
sharing these vital stories, she founded Zuluvisual. The illustration studio’s projects
place a contemporary twist on the proverbs and fables of Zulu heritage. In her work,
Zulu depicts her culture using vivid colours and bold textures. Her latest venture is a
comic about a heroic young girl, Nandipha, who is tasked with protecting the Zulu
Kingdom.
In celebrating her heritage, the illustrator is encouraging reading among youth.
“Learning to read and write is the foundation to changing the future for the better,” Zulu
says. Her tales engage South African audiences and enable children to discover their
own stories. “If I can get Zulu kids to read things they can relate to when they see their
culture, then I’ve done my job,” she says. With pen in hand, Zulu is advancing the
tradition of storytelling

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