Andile Nayika - From Storytelling Roots to Driving Literary Change in Makhanda
Friday, 29th August 2025
Meet Andile Nayika, a Makhanda-born poet, writer, activist, and Mandela Washington Fellow. With over two decades of experience in poetry, theatre, music, and media, Andile uses the arts to preserve heritage, amplify community voices, and drive social change. As the founder of the Tshintsha Literary Revival, he continues to inspire a new generation of creative minds in Makhanda and beyond.
I am Andile Nayika. Ecalpar is a name I inherited from the arts. I am a humble man living in Phumlani Ext 2, Joza, Makhanda. I was born at home in the late 80s in R Street, Tantyi, and I am the youngest of four boys. Today, I live with my wife and our one-year-old daughter.
I have been drawn to the arts since childhood. In fact, it was my late grandmother who unlocked the creative spirit in me. She was a natural storyteller and an orator, reflecting her own realities. By modern standards, she was considered illiterate — she could neither read nor write — yet her memory was as sharp as an elephant’s. The way she vividly and colourfully portrayed past situations, using creative language, inspired me deeply. She helped me realise the power of self-mastery, of self-expressed art and creative freedom.
I am an alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship in the United States for young African leaders. I have over two decades of experience as a creative writer, having participated in and co-led poetry and literary collectives in Makhanda since the mid-2000s, while still a teenager. Through groups such as the Makana Language and Literary Arts Forum of the Makana Arts Council, Poetic Tuesdays, Writers Movement, Poetic Revival, The Cycle of Knowledge and now Tshintsha Literary Revival, I continue to volunteer and play a role in encouraging literary arts.
Between 2006 and 2016 I hosted numerous poetry and hip-hop events in Makhanda and Johannesburg. In 2007, together with my ArtEffects crewmates, I produced an EP titled Night Music. ArtEffects, a multiracial hip-hop group from Makhanda, also promoted local hip hop and poetry through its music production, recording studio and live performances.
Over the years, my work has been published in New Coin, Ons Klyntji Zyne, New African Poetry Anthology 2021, Badilisha Poetry Xchange and more. In 2019, I released my debut poetry collection Akuwe, launched at the Amazwi National Literature Museum during the National Arts Festival. I have also explored performance arts, playing key roles in theatre productions at the Ikhaya Theatre at the Egazini Outreach Centre, under the guidance of thespian Bongani Diko and in collaboration with poetry collectives. These productions featured at the National Arts Festival, including Poetic Ankles (2007), Juda's Diary (2008), My Xhosa Genealogy (2008), Through Dead Eyes (2008), Exam No Enigma (2009) and Cycle of Knowledge (2013). My most recent performance was The Wrath of My Spoken Sword at this year’s Festival.
My passion for writing and social justice has extended into media and activism. With over 16 years of experience in both local and mainstream media, I have worked with outlets such as Mail & Guardian, Grocott’s Mail, Media24, and radio stations including Radio Grahamstown and Lukhanji FM. I currently host a weekly show, The People’s Hour, on Rhodes Music Radio in Makhanda, amplifying community voices. I also produce my own podcast series (podumentary), The African Agenda News, available on YouTube.
Alongside media work, I have served as a community facilitator with the Public Service Accountability Monitor (PSAM), mobilising and organising communities to strengthen civic action and promote accountability. I believe strongly in freedom of expression — especially creative expression — as a cornerstone of democracy.
"As artists, we are activists and creative agents of change in our communities. With more support, this drive can continue to bring even greater change."
About Tshintsha Literary Revival
Tshintsha is, first and foremost, an attitude — a change-seeking attitude. The word itself, from isiXhosa, means “change” and is central to the vision of the movement: to see the arts flourish and drive transformation in Makhanda and beyond.
The arts played a vital role in liberation struggles worldwide, and in South Africa’s unfinished journey toward full democracy, they remain essential. Tshintsha aims to promote and support literary arts democratically through a variety of platforms: regular poetry readings and open mics, writing workshops, publications (print and digital), poetry on radio and digital media, school programs, reading clubs, theatre productions, and more.
One of its flagship programmes is Poetic Tuesdays, which takes place weekly at the Duna Library Hall in Joza. Every Tuesday evening, community members gather to share poetry, performance, and dialogue in a welcoming space, from school learners to adults, encouraging both artistic growth and civic engagement.
The movement welcomes support and participation from everyone — from school learners and university students to youth, adults, senior residents, and both private and public stakeholders.
“Our stories carry the weight of who we are. To write, to perform, to create — is to keep our heritage alive.”
“Art is not just expression; it is a tool for accountability, for mobilising people and building stronger communities.”
“When we nurture the arts, we nurture imagination — and imagination is the beginning of real change.”
