"WHEN EVIL MEN PLOT,
GOOD MEN MUST PLAN"

By Karien van der Merwe
Photographer: Theo van Wyk

These wise words are from the pen of Insp Noah Mnisi, a policeman who has been writing poetry since the age of eleven. His skill with words was officially recognized when the Poetry Institute of Africa selected three of his poems for inclusion in their 2004 and 2005 anthologies of verse.

Insp Mnisi, who originally hails from Nelspruit but is currently stationed at Germiston SAPS, feels strongly about setting an example for the youth. He is convinced that people must persevere and follow their dreams. As for himself, he had seen a notice in the Germiston City News about entering poems for the 2004 anthology titled Trials and Tribulations. When he was told that his work had been accepted, he was, for once, speechless. His favourite topic is love, and the poem that was accepted, is titled “Strength to Love”. Respect for one’s elders and rising above other people’s ill-intent, are recurrent themes in the poem.

Insp Mnisi has entered two more poems for the 2005 publication, Departing Dawn. The one poem, aptly called “Attitude and Altitude”, conveys his strong sense of social responsibility: ... Focus on opportunity rather than on problems. / Give strong direction to people who have lost their way ... The main theme of the poem is about teaching the younger generation how to develop responsible leadership and self-actualization, without losing touch with their roots.
 

By Noah Mnisi

Ignorance is slavery
Education makes us free
Democracy without equality is a farce
No one is born civilised or primitive
Diversity of behaviour and custom is the fruit of learning
Nature exists to be subjugated and surpassed
Nothing stagnates

Be an Honest man
Be a Truthful man
Be a Quiet man
Be a Progressive man

Culture is everything to man
Culture is what man learns
A manifestation of thought
A fundamental pattern of human acts

No morality without intelligence
Reality cannot be escaped
An active brain is essential and irreplaceable
Quest for wisdom

Be toughened and strengthened
Be more fully man
Be strong enough to avoid exploitation

[The above poem by Insp Noah Mnisi was selected for inclusion in the anthology titled Departing Dawn. The anthology will be a fine quality, hard- bound volume of the best of today’s African poetry. It is scheduled for publication in the autumn of 2005.]

His second poem is about the quest for wisdom, and Noah proudly mentioned that the 2005 book title, Departing Dawn, had been derived from the sub-heading of his poem. Insp Mnisi has written poems for the International Pentecostal Holiness Church in Soweto, all the while trying to find a publisher. The acceptance of his poems by the Poetry Institute of Africa has made him determined to have his own volume of poetry published. He says the book will be titled “My Happiness”. At the time of this interview, Noah said that all was set to publish his own anthology in 2006. It is to be published by the Poetry Institute of Africa, and will comprise about 370 pages.

Apart from writing poetry, Insp Mnisi, who was born on 5 June 1967, enjoys reading and music. When asked about his career plans, he said: “I remain focused in my vision. My aspirations of becoming a lawyer are deeply rooted in strong beliefs about injustice. My overall aim is to minimize and, if possible, eliminate practices of racism and the various forms of discrimination that have been an unfortunate experience for both myself and the community.”
 

Strength To Love

By Noah Mnisi

When Evil men plot
Good men must plan
When Evil men destruct
Good men must construct
When Evil men burn and bomb
Good men must build and bind
When Evil men shout ugly words
of hatred
Good men must commit themselves
To the Glory of love

Being wise is better than being
strong
Knowledge is more important
than strength
Make careful plans before you
fight a battle
Planning Evil - you will earn
a reputation as a troublemaker

Strength to love
Pay attention to your teacher and learn all you can
Never, never move an old boundary mark

Listen to your parents
Without them you would not exist
When your mother is old show her your appreciation

Truth, Wisdom, Learning and
Good Sense
These are worth paying for
Let my life be your example
Strength to love
Whatever goes around also turns around

Published poet Insp Noah Mnisi - “Words are very powerful. For me, writing poetry is the best way to communicate with people.”