Phiri Cawe, journalist
Johannesburg, South Africa
"Mzwakhe is the hero for our struggle.
He will remain the hero even for generations to come.
FREE MZWAKHE!"

Thabang Ndlovu
Cape Town, South Africa
"He was in the country when the struggle was at its thickest.
That must count for something to someone somewhere.
He stood up and fought. When others feared
incarceration for their beliefs, he did not.
What can be more admirable than that?"

Dumisa Buhle Ntsebeza
Pinelands, Cape Town, South Africa
"When Mbuli was arrested and subsequently incarcerated,
I was, firstly, in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission [TRC]
and latterly, acting as a Judge of the High Court.
Especially as a judge, it would have been inappropriate
for me to express a view on the issue.
I have since enrolled as a pupil advocate, and if all goes well,
I should be writing a Bar exam in May, and hopefully
set up chambers in Cape Town thereafter.
From a distance, I have never been convinced that Mbuli is guilty.
There is something here that does not sound well.
I know how Mbuli should feel.
When I was framed in the TRC by a man who said my car was used,
driven by me, in a massacre in 1993, the experience was very traumatic.
I was more fortunate than Mbuli in that
I was cleared far more quickly than Mbuli.
I join all those who believe in his innocence,
and I am quite confident that in the end, truth will out.
Meanwhile, I hope that Mzwakhe will keep the spirit."
(submitted 25 March 2000)

Lesole Mogorosi
South Africa
"Please release Mzwakhe, for he is innocent."

Mary Paton
"The struggle for justice is not over.
We are remembering you, Mzwakhe.
I heard you on the radio the other night!
May you soon be free - yet your work continues 'inside'."

Vukile Eugene Mqingwana
Cape Town, South Africa
"I do think that the State should intervene in this matter,
because it is a national crisis that one of our most
prominent artists be treated this way under new dispensations.
And if they do not intervene, then the masses should be asking,
why did we vote for ANC, if it would not protect its supporters
after they have been successful in our struggle?
Is this really the new South Africa that we were fighting for,
or what is it, if the State can`t make the justice fair?"

Jinno Akira
Zentsuji, Kagawa, Japan
"Up to 1994 I was a campaign coordinator
of anti-Apartheid committee in Japan.
Now I teach African history in Shikoku-Gakuin University.
In my lecture I introduce Mzwakhe Mbuli's poems and songs
to students as a typical defiance to injustice of racism."

William Kiernan
Tampa, Florida, USA
"This man's case must be retried.
Kangaroo court murders all justice."

Themba Nkosi
South Africa
"For a long, long time now you have kept this man in the cells.
You should have realised the problem by now!
If not, does it mean that you don't do your job properly?
Is it all the struggle for freedom that we are in now?
If this man is really guilty, where did all these
conspiracies of apartheid come from?
Chaining him won't change the price of cheese, because
one-third of South Africans say the man is innocent.
Chaining him in the cell won't chain him in heaven.
Putting him behind the bars won't cut him down in his true-speaking songs.
You all are trying to cut him down 'cos he keeps it real!
You scandalize his name when you put it in the paper.
Wishing you set your people right,
if they aren't corrupted by the Y2K bug,
to think again and release this man, please!"

Samuel Konyana
Rustenburg, South Africa
"I'm signing this for the late Simon 'Mahlathini' Nkabinde."

S. Dube
United Kingdom
"After all you have done for us, Baba, the least we can do
is fight for you while you are bound and shackled.
South Africa, the world is watching you!
Is this a sign of things to come?
FREE MZWAKHE!"

Joe Maluleke, online journalist
Johannesburg, South Africa
"THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE
RELEASE MZWAKHE NOW"

Lennox Foote, Dean Sababu, Marcel Knox,
Richardo White and Tyrone Senior
African People Alliance, Mount Vernon, New York, USA
"Mzwakhe Mbuli's participation in the struggle
for equality and justice in South Africa is
living proof of sacrifice, courage and compassion.
Harassment and brutalization by apartheid's system
never kept him from maintaining his role in the battle
for liberation from racial discrimination and social injustice.
We believe that only a united campaign of global proportion
by people of conscience will impact the South African Government.
There is a sense of outrage amongst people of goodwill universally
at the cruel and unjust treatment of Mzwakhe Mbuli.
His conviction on false charges, imprisonment and shameful treatment
by South Africa's court system is obviously a result of his defiant
protest against corruption being practiced by some members
of the current political establishment in South Africa.
We ask without apology: FREE MZWAKHE, WITHOUT DELAY!
He is the personal embodiment of the people's struggle for an
uncorrupt, truly liberated South Africa where equality reigns."

Dorothy Flynn
CAMPAIGN FOR RELEASE OF MZWAKHE MBULI
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
campaign@mzwakhe.org
"The tradition of NO GIVE UP is the name of the game,
to TOTAL EMANCIPATION."    -- Mzwakhe Mbuli

Mark Loeb
Johannesburg, South Africa
"Why tricks and not solutions?
I am the conscience of the nation
I and money do not mix
I and the truth do not collide
Inside me, the spirit of resistance NEVER diminishes"
-- Mzwakhe Mbuli, unbroken spirit

Mosalagae Tena
N.C. State University
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
"Mzwakhe, you'll always be the hero, the champion and the
winner, no matter what. Just console yourself by saying that at the
end of it all you'll remove their engines of prejudice and hatred
and overload their hearts with love, so the truth comes out.
God forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing
to our People's Poet. We need people of your caliber.
VIVA MZWAKHE VIVA!"

Andiswa Koyana
Cape Town, South Africa
"All we ask is for justice to be done."

Franklin Ouma Okot
"...greatly dismayed by this miscarriage of justice..."

Dr. Charles Small
Jerusalem, Israel
"Mr. Mbuli is driven by a set of morals and ethics
rooted in his religious and political convictions.
He demonstrated a quality of leadership
that I only witnessed in one other person in my life
and that is when I met Mr. Mandela."

Brian Covert
Osaka, Japan
"In anti-apartheid, human rights circles in Japan,
people are well aware of who Mzwakhe Mbuli is--the People's Poet
of South Africa who never hesitated to condemn apartheid
and stand up for those who had no voice in his country.
As a journalist/writer and former anti-apartheid activist in Japan,
I call on the authorities in "post-apartheid" South Africa to
release Mzwakhe and see that true justice is done in his court case.
I still remember the first words Mzwakhe uttered when he came on
the stage one night at a concert a few years ago in Japan.
He silently looked over the entire audience, then finally spoke:
"You think you are watching me, but it is I who is watching you."
To the corrupt police and prosecutors
who have unjustly jailed Mzwakhe Mbuli:
Remember those words!"

Jenny Odhiambo
Dallas, Texas, USA
"The shame is on you, South Africa..."

Oupa Collin Letsoalo Mphukudu
diesel mechanic
South Africa

John Kirkland
trade union activist
Trenton, New Jersey, USA

Mkgetlwe
Gaborone, Botswana

Gatua wa Mbugwa
New York, USA
"I am from Kenya. His poems speak for me,
as they do for his supporters in South Africa.
The people's poet is my poet, too!"

Zanny Begg, on behalf of Resistance
Australia's socialist youth organisation

Mokotedi Bolatlheng Alpheaus
Gaborone, Botswana
"NO FORCE CAN ARREST HIS TALENT!!"

Alan MacSimoin
Dublin, Ireland

Michael Stohr, MusicAfrica
Toronto's African music connection and producer of Afrofest
"Hope our words of support can give you
strength to endure your forced isolation,
as your words have strengthened so many before.
Trust that truth will always be the final victor,
and that one day we will embrace in celebration."

Tanaku Lithebe
Kopano Residence, University of Cape Town
Rondebosch, South Africa

Corey C. Jordan-Rutledge, artist
Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Ibrahim Alabi Oridota
AFRICA DIASPORA
Paris, France
"Fair trial is the pillar of democracy.
To gag a poet is to pave the way to those acts
(remember, Mandela!) that make the human river
flow so much blood -- not for South Africa, please."

Thapelo Reuben Mainole
Mochudi, Botswana

Nkskz Zenele Zitha
Indiana, USA
"Why do they cripple our endeavours
towards a brighter future of our country?
Keeping that hero in jail suppresses South African social prosperity.
RELEASE THE HERO, LET MZWAKHE OUT!!!"

Char Eberly
Miami Beach, Florida, USA

Mahlatse Toska Molepo
Computer software support student
Johannesburg campus
South Africa

Patrick Sartini
Lexington, Kentucky, USA

Sedula wa Mamabolo
South Africa
"THABO--PLEASE RELEASE MZWAKHE
BECAUSE HE IS INNOCENT."

Mark Lewis Taylor
Professor, Theology and Culture
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton, New Jersey, USA

Fred Krohn
"Any man who advocates nonviolent dissent is no enemy,
simply a voice in the new way. Give this man
a FAIR trial and sentence for actual crimes (if any),
not trumped-up charges. If he is not guilty
of any crime, release him and pay damages!"

Zakes
Kerry Road, Parkview
South Africa

Eugenie Lang
Scarsdale, New York, USA

Annouchka Bayley

Terry Townsend, on behalf of the
Democratic Socialist Party of Australia

Toni Asante Lightfoot
Washington, DC, USA
"Apartheid is not dead; it is just disguised.
Those who lift its veils should not be punished,
but instead leaders in the healing.
Freeing Mzwakhe is a stitch in a large wound."

Kula
Mafikeng, Northwest Province
South Africa

Felix Amankona Diawuoh, Ghana
Executive Director, Free Africa Foundation
Boston chapter, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
"Imprisoning Mzwakhe Mbuli in South Africa is like
letting Chief Abiola die in jail in Nigeria!"

Norm Dixon, journalist, music review coordinator
Green Left Weekly, Sydney, Australia
and online at http://www.greenleft.org.au

Michael Saji
Los Angeles, California, USA

Ninel-Thuan
Northern Germany

Manamela Nicodemus
"I just want to say, stay strong at all times
and pray to the Lord Jesus Christ. Sala kahle..."

Kenneth Mostern
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Solomon Tebogo Mamadi
University of Botswana
Gaborone, Botswana

Jose de Santos, musician
Valencia, Spain

Jacqueline Bikhovsky, journalist
RTBF television, Belgium
"I'll never forget the video I made about him.
Please, free Mzwakhe! HE IS FREEDOM!"

Jimmy Philippe
Brooklyn, New York, USA

Mafiri Manamela
South Africa
"I am from Northern Province.
Mzwakhe, everything is gonna be right. Don't panic..."

Zebulon Mzwakhe Debeila
South Africa
"With this poetic tribulation
I want to say to my hero:
The Lord is above all your sufferings
And the time to weep is over, for now is the time
To ask blessings from God to protect you
LONG LIVE THE UNBROKEN SPIRIT OF MBULI
VIVA MZWAKHE VIVA
I have visited him in prison eleven times
My love for him endureth forever"

Selina Mang Debeila
South Africa
"I want to share this grieving with Mzwakhe's family.
I loved you because my son Zebulon brought the name and
the reputation of this 'hero.' I was even more proud
when he told me that he had finally met Mzwakhe Mbuli.
When I heard my son reciting poems, I thought he was mad.
Then I saw Mzwakhe reciting at the Inauguration of Mandela.
I support my son for the love he has for you, Mzwakhe.
My family is behind you, whether in prison or in court.
GOD BLESS YOU!"

Pako
Mafikeng, Northwest Province
South Africa

Brian Rosenthal
Houston, Texas, USA

Thabo Molefe
Syracuse, New York, USA

Nkosenhle KaSibanda
Faculty of Law
University of the Witwatersrand
South Africa
"When recently freed victims turn their backs and laugh
at other victims, are they not liable to be called oppressors?
FREE THE SON OF THE SOIL."

Fisa Lembede
Economics Institute, University of Colorado
Boulder, Colorado, USA

Betty deGroot
Richmond Hill
Ontario, Canada

Mulogoli
Kenya

Boago Sebaka, student

Ras Ital
Jamaica

Lulama Kunene
Craighall

Thami Mbongo
South Africa
"Let us not forget that Mzwakhe is the one
who was giving us hope in our Beloved Country.
Justice, tell me -- WHY TRICKS, NOT SOLUTION?"

Bonnie Sue Zeigler
Madison, Tennessee, USA

Mokete D. Mokoena
University of Natal
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
"Let Mzwakhe enjoy freedom like everyone in South Africa."

Tariq Khan
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Joseph Rath
York University, Canada

Thapelo
Ponte City, Berea
South Africa

Cai Lin Liu
People's Republic of China
"Please free Mzwakhe -- he is African hero!"
~ from us in China

Matsebe Ivor Phasha
Northern Province, South Africa
"We hope that truth will be revealed and justice be done
to the alleged 'framing' perpetrators..."

Tracey Lue
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Bobby S. Williams
San Antonio, Texas

Winston Molokele Molokele, student
Mafikeng, Northwest Province
South Africa

Wayne M. Samuels

Sipho
South Africa
"Mzwakhe is just great...
Jail or no jail, the man is still brilliant...
Release him, and chase the real criminals
that are destroying our lovely South Africa."

Quett Setshwaro
Student, UNIWEST
Mafikeng, Northwest Province
South Africa

Cardigan McClain

James Tay
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Mpuang Phetogo
Gaborone, Botswana

Tremayne Mthandenyi Senye
"Tricks are not solutions while the truth is hot and chilly,
the tricked trio will soon or later shine the oil of gladness.
Beloved brother, know that you're loved far beyond
the borders of your home town. Nothing is above God.
Baba Mzwakhe, khula o khukhube.
Know that I believe in your innocence!"

G. Sousa
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jeanette Martindale-Cox
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Andile Sivisa
"I wish you all the best in whatever you do, big brother."

Rufus S. Chester, III
USA

Mathieu Correa de Sa
Verigny, France

Ethan Bloomberg, radio host
Afrika Kabisa
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA

Otsetswe Bogosibokae
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
"South Africa is where it is today
because of people like Mzwakhe.
He has been with us in the struggle from ever since.
Let's be with him, wherever he is!"

Lesedi Mere
Student, UNIWEST
Mafikeng, Northwest Province
South Africa

Tabby Moyo, journalist
Windhoek, Namibia
"RELEASE OUR INNOCENT POET!"

Rowena Evans
South Africa

Stuart Russell
Senior Lecturer
Department of Jurisprudence
Macquarie University
Sydney, Australia

Sonja Klein
Sydney, Australia

Thapelo Molelekoa, computer engineer
South Africa

Lina Stohr
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Jowi Taylor, host
Global Village, CBC Radio Network, Canada
"I was involved in a festival in Toronto he was part of.
Most striking was his brimming good will and easy friendliness.
Seeing him perform was like watching a combination of
pain, strength, and joie de vivre, transforming
life into art and stasis into action.
I will urge people to sign this petition on Global Village,
on CBC, on Radio Canada International short wave
and from the home pages of CBC and RCI."

Samuel Mogotsi
Tsetse, Mafikeng
South Africa

Marlena Oliver

Danilo Vukotic
Belgrade, Yugoslavia

James Upshaw
Toledo, Ohio, USA
"The truth will overcome,
the truth will overcome..."

JoAnne Young
University at Stony Brook
New York, USA

Khalil Tian Shahyd
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Wilfred Baisako
!Gai||naxas, Namibia
"The God of peace and love will greatly bless
those people who work vigorous and tirelessly
to make sure the whole world knows
about the plight of Mzwakhe Mbuli.
Let the Lord give those who are his enemies
the wisdom to make peace with the world.
My message is:
THE TRUTH SHALL SET MZWAKHE FREE!
FREE AT LAST, MZWAKHE, FREE AT LAST!"

Monica Sherrill Jones, poet
United States

Xvellem Indlovu
"Release Mzwakhe NOW!"

A.M. Auset, Ph.D.

Adeoshun Ifalade

Tracy Hartford
New York, USA

Jos Zimny
Heerlen, the Netherlands

I. Jerome Taylor
Brooklyn, New York, USA

Joshua Razikua Kaumbi, Omaruru Poet
Republic of Namibia
"Yes, we all know the Tall Man has always been innocent.
His intelligence is beyond malicious allegations.
Bureaucrats can dump him in a guarded four-walled cell, but not his legacy.
His voice continues to serve as a lullaby,
echoing against the walls of injustice,
vibrating through the annals of our march to Utopia.
They can imprison us but cannot stop us
from unpainting the pain of our people.
How ironic that those who gave them sleepless nights,
who reduced their status to that of dogs and of criminals,
have red carpet rolled out for them and their deeds,
while those sons and daughters (Lest We Forget)
who rot in jails are turned into lepers.
To the poet's children:
be strong, and know that life has always been harsh
(pardoning Barendt Strydom, while punishing Friday Mavuso).
History alone absolved others,
and history alone will absolve the Tall Man.
They call you 'Triple B.'
Yes, I too will call you 'Triple B:'
B for Black, B for Bravery, B for Best!
You have been the symbol of blackness,
arousing fear and admiration,
the absent touch of humanity,
roaring like the best lion in the jungle of Dedan Kimati.
I know you will come out!"

A. Kamau
Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Leo Boitumelo Bakoko, student
Gaborone, Botswana

Victoria Pasley
U.K. citizen in Washington, D.C., USA

Christopher Spadone
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
"I am shocked and saddened
by this miscarriage of justice."

Masedi Ramsay Molosiwa
Cape Town, South Africa

Norma Martinez

Chae Carriere

Michel Daigneault
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
"FREE THE PEOPLE'S POET!
FREE THE BEAT OF AFRICA!
Mzwakhe moved a lot of folks during his
brief appearance in these parts. ~ Solidarity"

Gregory Greene
Mannheim, Germany

Kerry Covey
United States

Furaha Mbele

Merementsi Ntwakgalo Calvin
Botswana
"Please release the People's Poet.
He is innocent."

Michael Schembri
Sydney, Australia

Mark Holmshaw
London, U.K.
formerly of Pretoria, South Africa

Debra Huddleston
Illinois, United States of America
"My prayers are with you.
What is done to one is done to all."

Tiyesha Meroe
Oakland, California
"Justice shall prevail."

Gill Boehringer, Senior Lecturer
Department of Jurisprudence
Macquarie University
Sydney, Australia

Metali Jain

Petros Mogabali
South Africa
"I HATE THIS 'JUSTICE' OF OUR COUNTRY."

Racheal Juarez

Sirrön Ed Yeldbarb
Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Pamela Plummber

For the late Robert Nesta Marley, from "Redemption Song"
"How long shall they kill our prophets
While we stand aside and look?"

M.L. Saloy
"Please release Mzwakhe Mbuli!"

Daniel Goosen
Burlington, Vermont, USA

Marianne Mommsen
Rifton, New York, USA
"In solidarity"

Alessandro Caprotti
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Nora Petty
Vermont, USA
"There is so much hate and cruelty in our world.
It is time that we don't turn our backs and look away."

Blaine Stevenson
Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, USA
"May justice prevail."

Carina Odenyo
Uppsala, Sweden

Mokotedi Bolatlheng Alphaeus
Gaborone, Botswana

Bothay N. Velempini
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Botswana
Gaborone, Botswana

Linda Tanaka
Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada
"I will always remember Mzwakhe's performance in Canada.
Free Mzwakhe, so he can perform again."

Adam Silva

Beth Maina Ahlberg
Kenya and Uppsala, Sweden

Judy Erlam

Obi C. Iheme
"...My reading of his struggle, his plight, have inflamed me, and
it has reinforced my belief that men and women with his courage
and passion are what this world needs. May the struggle continue."

Nothemba Nombewu

Gift Ramaotwana
Australia
"Mzwakhe is always right.
Allow Mzwakhe out to play his music freely."

Malika Booker
London, England

Trevor MacPherson
Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada

Simphiwe Ntombela
Grahamstown, South Africa
"LET MZWAKHE FREE!
Let him tell the truth to the people."

Tracy Harford
New York

Todd Fraracci

Gazza Rama
"The poet is not gone...
This is the time when the Lord will
show us His will to comfort those agonised.
South Africa shall know no freedom
till all in the south are free.
YOU ARE THE PEOPLE'S POET AND WILL REMAIN SO."

Ariel Teplitsky

Hakan Gidlof
Uppsala, Sweden

Jenny Ford
Brooklyn, New York, USA

Michelle Perry

Freeman Dube
Zimbabwe
"If P.W. Botha is free
and Steve Biko is dead,
why should Mzwakhe not be free?"

William White
South Carolina, USA

Todd Bistany
"LET HIM FREE!"

Boemong Tshosha

Mkuleko Hikwa
"WITH YOU EVEN IN DARKNESS
Still hoping light will shine in South Africa
Shine bright in new South Africa
Brightness that will conceal the ills of the apartheid past
Abantu abahle bakhanye ubuhle
Abahle izenzo bakhanye msulwa
Abahle kuZulu babonakale ngokunjalo emthethweni
Mfowethu sizolibamba lingaze latshona kuzolunga
I thought a saw the sun rise in 1994
I will have to learn not to trust
My eyes, my ears
For what has been trumpeted as a new era in South Africa
Nevertheless, I shall trust my intelligence
It will never let me down
And the son of Africa shall be free
Iqinisa lizonqoba!!!!!!
PLEASE FREE MZWAKHE!
Give him a fair trial.
He is a son of the soil, the voice of the voiceless,
the drumbeat from the South.
Hawu! Where is the free South Africa,
When a son of Africa suffers behind the bars?
Khulani okambule!"

Semere Kidane Adgoy
Uppsala, Sweden

Lindiwe Makhoza Malunga Dlamini
Student, University of Natal
Pietermartizburg, South Africa

Tina McCoy

C. Galioto
United States

Scott Mitchell

Moses Mohlomi

Ryan J. Williams

Colleen M. Kelly-Crooks
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

Evert Potgieter
"Free the innocent...
A voice can hurt, but a gun obliterates."

Andrea von Wahl
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
"To the Honorable President Thabo Mbeki,
Please listen to the voice of the people -- FREE MZWAKHE!
Remember, power to the people! Amandla!"

Charlene Barney
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
"I think it is wrong to put anyone in jail for a crime that
he/or she did not commit. Justice ought be fair and honest."

Reuben S. Dlamini
Swaziland
"Peace unto you
Truth will set you free"

Thami
"It is only GOD who can judge him."

Martina Lippuner
Winterthur, Switzerland
"Peace from Switzerland to all the people of South Africa!
FREE MZWAKHE!
Make South Africa a better country for your children!"

Thabo Daniel Madeba
"One day we will celebrate Mzwakhe's return from jail."

Gazza Lou Deveila
South Africa
"We've experienced all kinds of badness in our fatherland.
Why do people not understand what is good and what is wrong?
What is justice in my land? Is it justice with no mercy?
Or justice with no criminal record?
The government is full of drug maulers.
MBULI MUST COME OUT!"

Robert Windsor
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
"The Truth Commission
Forgives criminals of apartheid
What stands for innocent souls?
Steel bars of prison cells"

Sasja Odenyo
Uppsala, Sweden

L.M. Hlabatau
"Mzwakhe's freedom of expression is that of all of us."

Jason B. Ward

Dr. Biko Agozino
"Not alone, all alone any more
for the world is with you
in solidarity and not confinement!"

Raceal Francois
Laguna Niguel, California, USA

Adrienne Gallagher
Pennsylvania, USA

Karabo Mokoena
South Africa

Goodman Moroamohube
South Africa
"Mbuli, indeed you are commended all over the world.
I know you are arrested for no apparent reason.
Due to this situation, I feel the pain of calamity.
When I listen to your poems, I feel happier...
May God bless your enemies to live longer,
to see your contribution."

Mark Bidwell
Saskatoon, Canada

Vusi Nyoni

Julien Devergie
Dublin, Ireland

William J. Carr
Toledo, Ohio, USA

Tammy
Portland, Oregon, USA

Johnnie Wallace, Jr.
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA

Zoran Pistotnik
State Undersecretary, Republic of Slovenia
"We believe Mr. Mzwakhe Mbuli will be free soon, and we'll have
an opportunity to invite him to appear on our music festival,
Druga Godba/The Other Music Festival."

Emerita Emerencia
"In a democratic society
people are innocent until proven guilty.
RELEASE MZWAKHE MBULI NOW!!!
GIVE HIM A FAIR TRIAL!
In not doing so you create bad karma for yourselves.
Remember, the universe is watching your every move!"

Peter L Ndhlovu
Gauteng, South Africa
"The truth shall always prevail. Mzwakhe is an innocent man
who now happens to be oppressed by his own government, as if the
four hundred years of white oppression was not enough.
You can run, but you cannot hide!
FREE MZWAKHE NOW!"

Carolyn Rosen
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
"I add my name to the list of those who
support the immediate release of this man."

Karina Kernz
Tamaulipas, Mexico
"Mientras mas tiranico sea un gobierno, mas habla de libertad.
Aquellos que niegan la libertad a otros no la merecen para si,
y bajo un Dios justo no podra conservarla mucho tiempo."
Translation from Spanish to English:
"The more tyrannical a government, the more it talks of liberty.
Those who negate the liberty of others do not deserve it for themselves
and under a just God do not have much time."

Theodore Sylvester John
SANKOFA Productionz
Jacksonville, Florida, USA
"Stories like these are heart-shattering,
what one would expect from movie writers/producers/directors.
But sadly enough this is REAL, VERY REAL.
Shame on the South African government!!
I will commence immediate campaign on my end
(North Florida) for the release of MZWAKHE MBULI."

Lance
Ulundi, KwaZulu/Natal,South Africa
"Set him free TODAY!"

Joe Oppong

Lionel Akue
"I am very disturbed to hear that after decades of apartheid,
we will have to go through another era of injustice.
Mzwakhe Mbuli is indeed a voice for improvement of our human
conditions, and those who choose to throw a chilling chapter on
his quest to more freedom and justice will be very disappointed,
because we will not tolerate any form of inhumanism.
He is in prison because he refuses to close his eyes on
the corruption and ill of South African society,
and we demand that Mbuli be released immediately."

Karl Warner

Kirsten Haushalter
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
"FREE MZWAKHE MBULI!"

David Bellous
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Petra van Enckevort

Shannon Smith
Port Orchard, Washington, USA

Angelica Galagal
USA

Mandy Vere
News from Nowhere Community Bookshop
Liverpool, England
"We are publicising Mzwakhe's case.
He will return!
Freedom, truth & justice!"

Shawn Farner

Rosalie Marie

Josh Bruney

James Beckman
"THE WHOLE WORLD IS WATCHING!"

Fatima
Cape Town, South Africa

Khulani Qoma
Empangeni, South Africa
"Mzwakhe, I love you, you are my hero,
despite you being imprisoned for nothing.
I pray and so wish that you be released.
We need you, and we can not afford to lose you."

Ahmeda Mansaray
Canada

Frederick Felgen

Amanda Muhammad

Velaphi Hlatshwayo
Faculty of Bioscience
University of Cardiff, Wales, U.K.
"I am a Swazi by birth and like Mzwakhe's music very much.
You know why? The answer is simple. The guy speaks for the
voiceless and the poorest of the poor in society.
He has made the captive to breathe a sigh of hope.
VIVA, Mzwakhe!!
The people who put you behind bars
are enemies of justice and human rights!"

Dan Magaziner
Chicago, Illinois, USA

Ernie
Johannesburg, South Africa
"Soon, you will be free."

Stephen Fine
London, England, U.K.

Jobiba Chinkhumba

Frederick Treichel
San Francisco, California, USA
"Mzwakhe, they can imprison you
but not your mind, your words, your music.
My thoughts are with your family
and that beautiful place you call home."

Van Yeboah-Dattey
"Please look at the facts of this case again.
We know how many of our brothers and sisters have been
wrongly accused and viciously murdered. Even innocent children."

Chaim Spencer Mdaka
Dallas,Texas, USA
"There is no logic in the imprisonment of Mzwakhe because
of his speaking against corruption that is taking place in
our beloved country. He has the right to speak against corruption,
especially as he has greatly contributed to the formation
of the present so-called Democratic South Africa.
It would be very rational and fair if those in power
can release him from prison forthwith.
I, therefore, appeal to Our Honourable President, Thabo Mbeki,
to exert his influence to the effect of releasing
our distinguished poet, Mzwakhe Mbuli."

Chris Khanjana
Springfield, Missouri, USA
"Please release Mzwakhe NOW."

Dr. Ishmael Doku
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Don Mathanga
"His poetry lifted so many in the struggle against injustice,
not only in South Africa, but all over Africa."

Eleanor Gausden
London, England, U.K.

Chitama Yusufu
Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
"FREE MZWAKHE NOW! Yes, now, and not later!
Free the People's Poet! AMANDLA!
Free this great poetic hero of our time!
Mzwakhe, soon you'll be free, for they know you are innocent.
WE MISS YOU, MZWAKHE!"

Efe Aruede
"If the South African government indeed has a case,
they would not deny a visit from Amnesty.
It was against injustice of this sort that they fought for years.
That is why they received support all over the world.
For them to deny Mzwakhe's rights is a sad reflection on the ANC.
If a person has committed an offence, he should be punished only if
guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt, subject to appeal.
I get the impression this has not been followed in this case.
I live in a society which thrived on this until very recently.
I therefore understand Mzwakhe's plight and appeal to the authorities
to speed up the appeal, which hopefully will restore his freedom."

Beverly Gould Shaw
Austin, Texas, USA
"They can imprison your body but not your message!
Mzwakhe, I will make a joyful noise to Jah Almighty and pray
the sinners will release you from their evil clutches."
Abundant love, Sista Irie (Beverly Shaw)

Chris Card
United Kingdom
"I had no idea this incredible man was being treated this way.
If the government wants to convince people that he is
being held fairly and treated in a humane way, they must answer
questions put to them rather than avoiding the issue.
I hope that together his supporters will be able to bring
sufficient pressure to bear on the government, which is still very
immature, so that Mzwakhe can rejoin his friends and family."

Soffie Ceesay
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
"Allow TRUTH and JUSTICE to flourish in the South Africa
we marched for in the Gambia during those harrowing years of
apartheid. Please Mr. Mbeki, release Mr. Mzwakhe Mbuli."

Rachel Evans
"I read about Mzwakhe in Green Left Weekly and was horrified
to hear the ANC has targeted this anti-apartheid hero.
The struggle obviously continues as a layer of officials
(in the new government) become corrupted by power and greed.
I hope the court cases go well and that the people do not forget."

Aaron
Student, UCD, Dublin, Ireland

E.N. Kasuto
South Africa
"I also believe in the innocence of the People's Poet."

Ntsiki Kubheka

Nancy Hillary
South Africa
"Mzwakhe is a beautiful and kind man.
He is innocent - please look at the facts!!!!"

Fatmata McCormack
Beltsville, Maryland, USA
"I've followed this case through the international press.
I believe there has been a great miscarriage of justice.
The truth will emerge eventually."

Freckson T. Ropi
Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Kodwo Ababio
New York, USA
"In an environment of lies, the truth becomes a stranger."
The truth should never be silence.
FREE THE PEOPLE'S POET!

Cam Parker
Sydney, Australia
"Your struggle for liberation is but one chapter in the
struggle for the liberation of a country still in chains.
They can imprison the revolutionary but not the revolution!
FREE MZWAKHE!"

Victor Somutun

Real Abdul Malik Lapalme
Berkeley, California, USA
"May justice prevail, especially
in this country of hope, model to the world."

Emmanuel Tava
Dallas, Texas, USA

Jopie Dullaart
Mtubatuba, KZN, South Africa
"The struggle continues..."

Sharetta Pieter

Ramosotho Mokgadi

James L. Enlow
Columbia, South Carolina, USA
"Have sent article about Mr. Mbuli's tribulations
to our local Amnesty International chapter.
My support and my prayers are with you all."

Amon Ngavetene-Ombujovakuru
Republic of Namibia

Chris Kilala
Düssledorf, Germany

P.C. Kodisang
"Keep your head up; don't let the negative forces
hold you down. We are with you all the way!"

B. Kukuri
Windhoek, Namibia

Frank Bures
Oregon, USA
"Does the new South African government stand for freedom
and justice--or aspiring to imitate its predecessor?"

Sabrina Adamsky
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Pedro Bully
"We call on the South African Government
to release the "People's Poet".
From singing praise songs for Madiba on his inauguration,
to being a criminal?? This cannot be true.
The Truth will out, one day!!!"

Sabelo Zamisa

Mihe Gaomab II
"Because I know the message he delivers through his poems,
I believe that a fair trial is the answer to determine the
real truth behind these charges of our poet."

Annika Bolten
Varese, Italy

Fiona Hopper
United Kingdom

Dr. Kofi Ellison
Washington, D.C., USA
"I have followed the case against poet Mbuli and thought that
he was by now a free man because of the suspicious nature of the
case against him. I am surprised that he is still incarcerated.
I saw Mr. Mbuli on television giving a resounding poem
before Mr. Mandela's Inaugural Address (in 1994).
I have watched a tape of his poetry reading several times since.
It is indeed a shame that for apparently political reasons,
an innocent man is being held in prison.
This is a travesty of justice.
PLEASE RELEASE MBULI NOW!!!!"

Thembinkosi Nyathi

Victor Buhali

Andy
United States of America
"People in the USA are watching events in South Africa
with the keenest interest. The events surrounding the arrest
and imprisonment of Mzwakhe Mbuli will determine the views
that many Americans hold on South Africa for some time.
It is not in the interest of the people or government of
the great nation of South Africa to hold political prisoners
and thus portray themselves to the world as a nation still in
thrall of Apartheid rather than the presently held image
as the world's freest and most ethical nation."

Emily Andreas
Windhoek, Namibia

Gibby Chris
"FREE HIM!
We want him out of that place.
Hear our request!"

Cy Kassoff

Sue Ryrie
United Kingdom

Ilene Michaud
USA
"Please free this father.
His children need him."

Rick Russell

Zebulon Debeila
"Why are these convictions necessary?
First that bank, now other allegations -- WHY?
You'll be free, Mzwakhe. Be patient.
GOD BLESS YOU!"

Marie Gettings
United Kingdom
"This is an urgent request that Mzwakhe Mbuli
be speedily given a date for an appeal.
He performed on more than one occasion in our city and is
remembered by many with respect, as an inspirational poet & leader.
The authorities who keep him imprisoned do nothing
to cultivate the respect of free-thinking people."

Miha Nabergoj
Slovenia

Conney Baloi
"I am a citizen of South Africa, but I am now in America.
Please release Mzwakhe Mbuli.
I know he did not commit any crime.
It is not fair for him to be treated like a criminal.
I hope the President takes this into consideration."

Pacnik Jan
Slovenia
"A friend brought this injustice to my attention.
After reading this and knowing his poetry for some time,
I sign and send a message to the world:
FREEDOM IS GETTING RUSTY
ON THE PAVEMENT OF OPPRESSION!"

Edith Vanterpool
"I am praying for you!"

Diane Bourgois
"Set him free!"

Safiya Mohammed
Somalia and USA

Frank Mabutla
Salisbury, North Carolina, USA
"I have closely read about Mzwakhe.
I am convinced that he is innocent.
May his release be made speedily, the sooner the better
for all his friends, family and countrymen."

Ayodeji Dee Adeyinka

Dr. A.B. Bodomo

Johnnie Kwaku Miller

Alpha Jallow
"I want to add my support to the campaign to release Mbuli.
I would like you to know, Mzwakhe, how much I appreciate your music.
You have done so much to enlighten people and to entertain them.
Keep up the struggle!"

Tony Bensusan

Leah Rosch
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
"I send my best wishes and prayers
to the children and family of Mzwakhe Mbuli.
I pray for your safety, comfort and perseverance
until the joyful day when you are able to see
your father, husband, and relative again.
Peace be with you."

Latrice R. Love
"I am praying for the Mbuli family.
May God bless those who take a stand
in the fight against injustice.
I will be sending this website to everyone I know."

Leanne McIntyre
Canada
"An amazing friend of mine loves Mzwakhe Mbuli,
so I am on my way to love him also."
Mzwakhe, all my best to you and your truth."

Linda Carroll
Kansas City, Kansas, USA

Ina Dunbabin
Australia
"How could you do that to your own countryman?
FREE MZWAKHE!"

Mujara Bosele Machengedza
University of Botswana
"God is greater than man.
You shall prevail."

Scott Bickford
Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Andrew Alexander
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I.
"Black Man does not get anything easy.
The truth will always prevail."

Gary Garrett
Melbourne, Australia
"In the spirit of justice, strengthened with unity,
I call on the readers to DO THE RIGHT THING
and release this man back to his family."

Tyrone Senior
"I am a resident of the USA and one of those people
who have been inspired by the works of Mzwakhe.
I hope that justice will be served by
granting this great poet his freedom.
My prayers are with you, Mzwakhe Mbuli!"

Timothy Nevin, a.k.a. DJ Esperanto
Chicago, IL, USA

Ella Ganon
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Zingisa Zibonti
"Release Mzwakhe. His family needs him.
Criminals are walking freely on our streets
while a good citizen is in prison."

Hayley Mezei
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
"SET THIS GREAT MAN FREE!
From a follower who has been enriched and touched
by the music and words and truth of Mzwakhe. Courage!"

Mohammad A. Gani

Hitjevi Obafemi Tjiroze
"Free him! Or else let him free us!
Our minds are in dire straits."

Robert Nhlengani Maluleke
"Don't worry,
hi na wena hi nkarhi hinkwayo!"

Renata Reck
"I was a teenager in South Africa in the 80's.
Mzwakhe inspired people like me to become a poet.
He is our South African 'Tupac.' FREE HIM!!"

Jaye Arney
Arcata, California, USA
"I'm tired of all these obvious injustices.
What are we going to do?"

Dintlefatso Gabana
"Certainly one day the truth will prevail.
Mzwakhe, I believe your "pen will roll without a stop."
We miss that voice."

Eliva Atieno Ambugo
Principia College
Elsah, Illinois, USA

David G. Richardson III
St. Louis, Missouri, USA
"It is sad that there would still be
human rights violations by the year 2000.
Where has mankind come from?
Where is the human race going?
How much time and flesh must be wasted
before there is justice?"

Kemi Mohammed
Elsah, Illinois, USA

Kristin Ake

Mathew J. Schario
Athens, Ohio, USA
"This is another sign of the terrible
injustices which now plague and desensitize
judicial systems around the globe.
When will we ever learn?"

Emefa Nutor

Janine Davic
St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Kitoye Eke
"It is unfortunate that our leaders
never learn from their mistakes.
There is enough doubt in the evidence that such a trial
wouldn't have taken place in a decent society.
We as Africans must lift ourselves
above these backward tendencies.
The whole judicial system is on trial,
and maybe Mzwakhe was destined
to expose this cancer worm.
I am optimistic that the Appeal Court will exonerate him.
His personal sacrifices may be the price to cleanse the Police.
May God give you the strength and comfort in your fight
to liberate the downtrodden and forgotten."

Tisha Ludmillad
"FREE THE PEOPLE'S POET!"

Katherine Robson
North York, Ontario, Canada

Cynthia Fianu
"PLEASE FREE HIM!"

Crissy
"I'll pray for him.
He is in my prayers."

Lisa Krause
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Arttu Tolonen
"I would like to urge the present administration of
South Africa to refrain from taking a page out of the
apartheid regime's law-and-order philosophy.
I would like to believe the future belongs to Africa
if only it would start respecting its citizens.
Politicians, soldiers and officers of the law
have always been the continent's greatest liabilities."

Joel Dipatane
Seattle, Washington, USA

Razikua Joshua Kaumbi, Omaruru Poet
University of Namibia, Republic of Namibia
"Another sun went buried
Yet no news of his release
Another day of hypocritical talks
One bureaucrat parading the other
Bureaucrat's love for justice
Yet a son rotting in jail
His rights rotten
His rights a political game
His rights a ticket to hide
Fleshiness of the heart
The sound of the key to freedom can fade
The pen shall never fade
In shackles it shall write
In shackles it shall vomit
Uprooting the shrubs of organized insanity
Yes, comrade poet, sing, for Afrika listens
A free man belongs under the sun"

Mrs. L.S. Zwane
South Africa
"God will help you.
HE is the only one who can remove those chains
around your ankles and hands.
Pray -- don't give up!"

Melissa Hazlitt
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
"How such darkness could be bestowed
on such a bright person, I do not know.
I have never met him, but his light
touches me across the seas.
As a teen, I feel such pain for his children.
To those who keep him from the people,
I say this: FREE MZWAKHE MBULI!
They will pay their dues.
If not, in this life time,
then the next.
Keep your head up."

Kevin Mollo
Kelvin-Grove, QLD4059, Australia
"It's not far before the world knows the truth.
In spirit, we are with you.
Re go tlhwaafaletse."

Teresa Domka
Seattle, Washington

Shepiso Senye
"Beloved brother, we know that there is no regime
that can hold the hot lid of a boiling pot forever.
GOD IS POWER.
GOD BLESS YOU."

Marothi wa ga Phoshoko
Windsor Park, Randburg, South Africa

Warra Khumalo
"Be strong, as you did before."

Eugene Haslam
Ottawa, Canada
"Mzwakhe Mbuli played at my nightclub,
Zaphrod Beeblebrox (http://www.zaphodbeeblebrox.com)
I urge the South African government
to treat him fairly and justly."

Kathy Newnam
Australia

Kara Bachman
"Innocence should not be stolen
from those who have earned it.
Return Mzwakhe's innocence
and let him return to his people."

Keiko Kusunose
Japan
"Justice will overcome.
Human Rights should be guaranteed
in democratic South Africa."

Tuovi Tolonen
Mikkeli, Finland

Joseph Kinahan
Dundalk, Ireland

Birgitte Romme Larsen
Copenhagen, Denmark

Kageso Dockskin Malepa
"Mzwakhe, please don't cry.
You got to keep your head up,
even when the police don't let you.
Never give up."

Tony Mphethle
"Mzwakhe is innocent.
The Truth shall set you free, Baba.
Free the son of the soil!"

Esteban Curia
Andorra la Vella
Principat de Andorra

Benji Jeffrey Sibanda
Seshaya, South Africa

Karen Smith
"It has come to my attention
that a crime has been committed against the world --
not just against South Africa, but the world!
I believe that this man is a gift from God.
Please free GOD's gift!"

Amina Barleci
"Is freedom a puzzle?
Is freedom a quiz?
What is freedom?
And what is the meaning of freedom?"
(from Freedom Puzzle, by Mzwakhe Mbuli)

Piet T. Kekana
"To you hard-hearts, you cruel men of South Africa:
KNOW YOU NOT MZWAKHE??
How can you fight crime with corruption?
MZWAKHE IS INNOCENT!
Please, we need him back!!"

Daniel Horgan
"I think this is a bloody outrage,
that this man with so much stamina is in jail!"

Roxanne Spruance
Chicago, Illinois, USA
"Freedom is a natural right, not a privilege.
Return to him the freedom that we take for granted.
Keep fighting, Mzwakhe! We all are!"

Ngwangwama Matthiax Mpareke
Namibia
"Please release an innocent man now!!!"

Victoria
"Keep your head up!"

Blaire Alyn Novick
USA
"It frightens me to know people are still this abusive and racist.
I am from America, and we all know about Mumia Abu Jamal.
This injustice must stop immediately!
I am, as well, a poet and thinker and activist.
We all have our right to do things that makes others happy,
and Mzwakhe's poetry made people happy!
I hope he is released into freedom, where we can all
hear the echoes of his poet's voice again."

Hadji James
"Mzwakhe, I beg you to behave in prison,
because I need you to be back home
sharing your words of power with the public!"

V.P. April
Stellenbosch, South Africa
"Mzwakhe has not killed anyone.
How many killers are flocking up and down our streets?
Replace him with all the people who belong in prison."

Phillip Ncombo
Pretoria, South Africa and Brooklyn, New York, USA
"I would like to appeal to the persons responsible for
Mzwakhe's imprisonment to please come forward and tell the truth.
Think of the poor children who still need their father,
the poor woman who has to be a mother as well as a father to them.
FREE Mzwakhe! They need him.
South Africa needs him, and so does the whole MOTHERLAND."

Matolela Eric Halahala
Gaborone, Botswana
"When will true justice be done?"

Joanna Lake
"In everyone's eyes, this man is a hero.
Heroes should be allowed to walk on this earth, not be locked up in it.
To his children, I send my love.
Your daddy will be home soon.
God bless you!"

Catherine Mommsen
Vancouver, USA
"In Solidarity"

Ahmed F. Mbalia
"Africa thanks you for your contributions
in the continued pursuit of the liberation of our people.
Our struggle is a just one, and justice will prevail.
Our struggle is a protracted struggle, and as your case highlights,
a struggle against both national and class oppression.
We thank you for your energy.
Africa will be free, united and socialist.
Long live the struggle of our people.
Forward to Pan-Africanism!"

Bernard Mokase
South Africa
"No matter what you can do to Mzwakhe,
he is my hero, my role model and my main man!
He is the man of reason, of hope, of love,
of conscience and of unbroken spirit."

Floyd
South Africa
"Ukwanda kwaliwa umthakathi."

Pedro Babb
"I would like to appeal to the 'authorities' that are
denying the rights of a free man to allow him to speak
and enable him to be what he is to the people of South Africa:
a poet of the people.
Remember him.
Please let him be a free man!"

Julia Wolff
The University of Georgia, Georgia, USA

Norben Neidel
"Mbuli has been a great inspiration to me,
and with this I find him not guilty.
Please release this innocent man who talks the truth
that destroys those who have oppressed.
The people's poet has the way to the truth,
so it seems if you tell the truth, you remain the enemy.
RELEASE MBULI!
This I say because I care for those who miss their Dad.
With love, from Norway"

Robert Mjoli
South Africa
"Release the HERO, and stop racist hatred!"

Tracy Mallinson
United Kingdom
"Shame on you, Rolihlahla and Thabo!!
In all my time in South Africa from 1978 to 1997,
I never felt anything but love and admiration for you.
Nelson, I screamed when you were released and ran on the road in Dube.
At night I danced outside your small house you lived in before jail,
hoping you were coming back--even as a gesture--and you did.
I didn't come into your garden, even though you were seeing people then.
I felt embarrassed that white people had locked you up, and I am white.
I will regret not embracing you in person for the rest of my life.
Believe me when I say I am very saddened by Mzwakhe Mbuli's imprisonment.
I class him with the beautiful people I grew to love in South Africa.
Many people have gotten away with things that were awful.
It has been proved that they were guilty, but in the name of
truth and reconciliation, they have been able to go free.
Many of those crimes were not political at all.
I have been threatened many times.
I know some racists will never change."

Jacqui Zurcher
Cape Town, South Africa
"I am studying Mzwakhe's poetry in a literature course at
University of Cape Town, and I am appalled that he is labouring in jail
while South Africa tries to work out her freedom."

Mpembela Mvuseleli
South Africa
"Please free Mzwakhe.
Is this how you treat this man?
This poet has been the voice of the people,
and this is the thanks he gets?
Who is going to sing for us?"

John Maseko
Zimbabwe
"We miss you, brother, and we await for your release.
We await for your return!"

Pat Zondi
"I support the release of Mzwakhe.
He has done much for South Africa.
That R15,000 is something we can pay.
(Banks are robbers as well!)
Mzwakhe is not the only South African/"Mississippi Justice" victim.
There are so many others.
South Africans should remember Mzwakhe and support him.
He risked everything for the nation.
Sympathies also to the family.
Remember, the truth will set him free one day."

Matome
"Prison is not a graveyard, no matter how long it takes.
We are most assured of your creativity.
All this will be a shame to those who framed you.
Our love for you and your music will remain unshaken
until the day dawns for your release."

Zamikhaya kaNdiki
South Africa
"As a South African citizen, I sincerely pledge solidarity
and appeal to the ANC-led Government of National Unity to
RELEASE THE PEOPLES POET!"

Sandile Fakudze
Swaziland
"Swaziland is where I dwell, and I could say that
I was so hurt by what happened to Mbuli and his family.
You will remain a hero, Mbuli.
The golden rule says a curse causeless shall never come.
Always have the strength that you were given by my God.
VIVA MZWAKHE, VIVA!"

Flora Stohr-Danziger

Nqobizitha Moyo
"We miss you so much, Mzwakhe, but the struggle continues."

Monde
Stockholm, Sweden
"I believe this man to be innocent.
I believe this man to be truthful.
I believe this man to be honourable.
I believe this man to be steadfast.
Truth cannot be covered-up or locked-in, but truth sets free.
Let the liar lie and the thief steal,
but in time it shall all be revealed.
Mzwakhe cannot be imprisoned forever
cos' the truth is bound to set him free.
FREE MZWAKHE!!!"

Sizwe

January Setty Tshabangu
University of Pretoria
Pretoria, South Africa
"If you can make it through the night, there is a brighter day.
It is a struggle every day, you got to hold on.
Everything will be OK if you hold on."

Lindani Gysman
"Prison is therefore not a grave..."
The truth is yet to come!

Advocate/Barrister Falaza Hlohla
London, England
"Learning of your case really shocked me.
Has the South African Police taken leave of their senses?
I will fight along with all the concerned people of this world
for your unconditional release.
You are innocent, and you must be set free now.
I will bring your plight to the world legal forum
so that all the lawyers of the world know that corruption takes
precedent over justice and freedom of speech in the New South Africa.
You are not alone in your struggle. "

Mduduzi Mzulwini
South Africa
"Hold on, Mr. Mbuli, until people see the life in you and rectify
that you are the most vital component of the South African future."

Kim Hanna
United States of America
"Please release this man and order a new trial."

Donald Morton
"Freedom is not an option.
It is a right."

Rowda Moallin
"Free the innocent victims of bigotry and hatred!"

City Thobane
Gaborone, Botswana
"I love Mzwakhe very much.
He really made me what I am to date.
He has educated me.
I would like to visit him in prison one time."

Rahim
"Good luck, my man..."

Joshua Makhaza
"You all know he is innocent.
Mzwakhe, we still love you."

Siyabonga "Saibo" Kose
"Those who betray the soul of man
and practice the devil's philosophy
can't stand in front of you forever.
If the government can't do something about this,
the God of Africa, of the poor and oppressed
will see what to do.
No police can arrest your talent.
FREE MZWAKHE!
Criminals are around the community while
innocents are behind bars!
FREE OUR HERO! PLEASE, FREE HIM NOW!
KEEP HOPE ALIVE! THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE
FROM THE BONDAGE OF THE APARTHEID LEGACY!"

Fana Lembethe
"Why tricks, and not solutions?
I am also of the idea that
the issue of Mzwakhe needs to be revisited."

Stan Schutte
"I am a South African living in Germany.
The allegations made regarding politicians'
involvement in drug running are in my opinion true.
FREE MZWAKHE!!!"

Lincoln Matli
"Truly, the people shall govern.
The time has not yet arrived for the black nation.
Indeed, the people shall govern.
Mzwakhe, qwetha lama qwetha.
The people live in you!
Our thoughts are heard through your words of wisdom,
through your voice of passion.
We remain forever enslaved by our own selves because
'A black man shall never rise over a black man.'
Sizwe esimnyama!
Let us wake up and smell the coffee!
It is time to stand together.
It is time to fight for a common cause.
Umntwa ga Mbuli, siyamkhalela.
The people shall govern.
Through Mzwakhe Mbuli our voices
will be heard in foreign lands.
You shall never be silenced,
because wisdom is greater than silver and gold.
Soon the poet will be free.
And then the people shall govern,
because we cannot govern without our poet,
otherwise he wouldn't be called 'the people's poet.'
Khululani uMzwakhe, you hypocrites!"

Sundal Roy
London, U.K.

Fhathu
"Why arrest heroes
when criminals are walking free?"

Gaston Murray

Vincent Tiso
Bisho, Eastern Cape, South Africa
"Now is the time to release Mzwakhe
and the other freedom fighters.
Now is the time!"

G.M. Watson
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Free Mzwakhe!
"He is a great artist and unjustly imprisoned!"

Mlungisi Calvin Makhanya
"You may be behind bars, but we will never forget you
and your contribution to the liberation struggle.
The fight for your release
is the fight against corruption and elitism
and the fight for equity and justice.
Long live the people's poet!"

Tommy LeRoux
South Africa
"Without freedom, there is no justice.
Without justice, there is no freedom."

Victor Takhalo
"May the law first be imposed on the white collar crime, and
then we will know at least that the police are serving the community."

City Thobane
"They are just trying to block your way,
but they will never break your spirit.
Wherever you are, just keep up the spirit.
You will be back!
POWER TO MR. MBULI!"

Tshireletso Motlogelwa
Gaborone, Botswana

Dan Nooter
"Though I am ignorant,
I know Mzwakhe is in Leeuwkop Prison,
though I do not know why.
Who can end this ignorance?
Who can talk of freedom
when truth lies enchained,
and a beginning to justice?"

Mothusi
Soshanguve, South Africa

Amber Cromartie
"I have studied apartheid, and it weakens me to my knees.
I hope that one day justice will be gained by the innocent.
I just want to say to Mzwakhe, that God will see to it that he gets the victory.
I will keep praying for you and for everyone in South Africa.
KEEP HOPE ALIVE, AND KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE!
I am young now, and sad to say that I can't come and protest in South Africa,
but I would love to even talk with people
when I am older, independent and can afford to travel.
I study black leaders who stood up as a voice for those who are mistreated.
I would like to know what apartheid was like from someone who experienced it.
To the family, I pray that they will set him free, because I know it's hard,
but you must be strong and remember, God is with you.
Thank you for this website.
It has informed me about things that I never would have known about."

Nokwazi Hlubi
USA
"You are innocent until proven guilty --
not the other way around!!!
JUSTICE!!"

Jeff Nowers
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Linda Bennett
"What can I say? I am lost for words!
Yet another innocent man has been incarcerated,
when all he wanted was peace and harmony in his world.
We are with you, Mzwakhe, don't give up hope!!!"

Lael Wageneck
Athens, Georgia, USA

Rosita Cartier
"FREE MZWAKHE MBULI!
Let there be some justice for people of color
in this land, continent, world, earth..."

Wazha Bawani
University of Botswana
"Please free Mzwakhe!
Let there be justice!"

Thiza
"He is the conscience of the nation
Him and money do not mix
Him and the truth do not collide
Inside him the spirit of resistance never diminish
He is the peoples's poet
Who has been mistaken for a criminal.
Freedom has turned out to be a nightmare for him.
FREE THE PEOPLE'S POET!
HE IS INNOCENT!"

Patrick Vicky Mashele
"Yes, we're with our eyes open, watching those on top.
To me, they really know the truth and will one day admit it.
God loves us all.
Let's hold hands and pray he will be out of jail soon."

Modisakgotla Kalayakgosi
"Please free the People's poet.
He is our only source of inspiration.
I pray to God that he guides and protects Mzwakhe until he is free."

Oaitse Oteng Thatayaone
Geelong, Australia
"The struggle against man's excesses continues.
Keep up the spirit, Mzwakhe."

Mandla Zulu
"Release the father of the orphans, widows and destitutes immediately."

Amanda Stutzman

Thabo Bright Moipolai
"Could you please release Mzwakhe Mbuli from jail.
Not forgetting the support he gave to millions of South Africans."

William Morodi

Sifiso Ntombela
"Phambili, Mzwakhe with your good work, you should know
that even if they try to spoil your name with their lies,
we will always be on your side.
They won't succeed."

Victor Hamutenya
"Mzwakhe does not belong in prison.
It is a shame that in the new South Africa,
people of the caliber of Mzwakhe are being framed as criminals
because the elite will be happy when he is jail."

Casey Lafleur
United States
"I will keep you in my prayers."

Dr.G.N.Abram

Bheki Ngidi

"How long must we feel the pain of oppression?"

Tracy Mallinson
United Kingdom (lived in South Africa from 1978 to 1997)
" I do not believe that Mzwakhe Mbuli did this crime!
What is going on?
Mzwakhe Mbuli sang praises at the inauguration of Nelson Mandela.
He brings millions of South Africans pleasure through his work.
Why would a decent, moralistic human being who fought in the
struggle against apartheid commit these so-called crimes?
The TRC has forgiven or at least let off the hook those
who made black South Africans' children and brothers and
sisters disappear and killed them in such brutal ways.
I am sure Mzwakhe Mbuli would not knowingly hurt anyone.
Why has his treatment been harsher than the treatment of others?
I admire black South Africans and the ANC for struggling against all odds.
I realize you cannot please all the people all the time, but
I am deeply, deeply disappointed about this whole affair.
I personally bribed someone out of jail in South Africa for R20!
He was supposed to be there 18 months; he spent 24 hours in Sun City.
YOU CANNOT JUSTIFY LOCKING THIS MAN  UP.
WHERE IS THE HARD EVIDENCE? LET US SEE IT!
This has hurt me so much. Hearing that Mzwakhe Mbuli is imprisoned
is almost like hearing that Rolihlahla (Nelson Mandela) is imprisoned again,
and I feel the same pain I felt when they shot Chris Hani."

Dingane kaMatukane
"They can keep our brother (Mu-Africa) behind bars,
but they will never break his spirit!
ALUTTA CONTINUA!!! (The struggle continues!)."

Maicy Viki
"Free Mzwakhe one time!"

Thebethe Mocuminyane
"We are all still in prison of our own minds.
We are house slaves now, but slaves all the same.
A seed is only a promise of a tree
so whoever thinks that he's free
must wake from that nightmare.
MZWAKHE, WE WILL WAIT FOR YOU.
WE CHOSE YOU, AND YOU CHOSE US INSTEAD OF THE GRAVY TRAIN.
YOU'RE STILL OUR BROTHER.
A lot of people don't have access to the Internet.
Please bear with us, my brother."

Nhlanganiso Mabuya
"Please release the innocent man."

Luyanda Mnapu
"Let the people's poet free!
The judicials of this country are the ones who can do that
when there is no evidence against Mzwakhe.
If they can't, they owe us an explanation."

Bhimjee Takalani
Matsila, Northern Province, South Africa
"Let us support Mzwakhe and not forget his powerful voice.
WE STILL LOVE YOU, MZWAKHE!
Long live the voice of Mbuli, long live!
MZWAKHE IS FREEDOM! FREE HIM!
God bless you, Mbuli!
One day we will be singing the songs of joy.
VIVA MBULI! VIVA!"

Absalom
South Africa

David Frans
Oshakati, Namibia
"No one can arrest the talent of a man.
HE IS THE WARRIOR.
The truth must be done."

Witness Dumisani
"Though you are behind bars
I can hear your voice, echoing from a distant land,
passing the royal message to the people of South Africa.
You quoted for them when they sentenced you.
The warrior who clings to life will die,
and the one who embraces death shall live long.
Remember that I am behind you.
I know that you are alone, but I am real, supporting you.
You are my role model."

Kennedy Mujokuto
"Mzwakhe is innocent.
Please free him!"

Christoph Kral
Austria

Z. Mgoduka
Dancer, singer and actor with Uphondo lwe Afrika,
Port Elizabeth, South Africa, currently in Sweden
"The light, power and talent you posses, bra-Mzi,
will stay with you for the rest of your life
and no one will take it away from you.
Even if they put you in a dark tunnel, your light will shine on!"

Nicholas Netzel
Duluth, Minnesota, USA

Fini
South Africa
"You are the inspiration
to the most South African youth and abroad.
I still have hope that you will one day come
and spread your freedom messages again."

Lorenzo Komboa Ervin
Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA

Phalane Motale
"We all know that you are where you are
because you stood by your principles.
But the truth shall set you free!"

Frances Hillyard
Berkeley, California, USA

Cordley Coit
"Poets ought to be free."

Sut Jhally
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts, USA

Muzi Ncube

S.L. Ncube
Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Morris Ndlovu

Dumisane Mpofu
Michigan, USA

Samukele Hadebe
Norway

Aubrey Mathinjwa
"Good luck, Mzwakhe -- we love you."

Mollie M. Dusinberre
Camden, Maine, USA
"I saw Mzwakhe in concert back in 1996.
I will never forget it.
He must be set FREE!"

Johathan G. Armbrecht
Camden, Maine, USA
"Resistance is defense!"

L.S.M. Dikao
"I believe he is not guilty."

Sindisiwe Ncube
Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
"He was an innocent man right from the beginning, and he still is.
FREE HIM."

Scott Austin
"Free Mzwakhe, for he is an innocent man!"

Pulangan Ghaib
"You'll never walk alone!!"

Ngwako Prince Malatji
Tzaneen, South Africa
"I still maintain that Ntate Mzwakhe Mbuli is innocently innocent,
and that he has been framed by those against his ideas.
Those against Mzwakhe's truth, bitter statements and life style are against the majority
of South Africans who share the same ideas as those of Mzwakhe.
You cannot combat crime with corruption.
Indeed, you cannot boost police morale with propaganda,
and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Eugene Terreblanche, who terrorized the people for such a long time, is free and at home.
Mzwakhe Mbuli is innocently in jail and alone.
To his children, his wife, beloved South Africans and the international community:
please be patient -- but not silent.
Be worried about his conditions in jail, for an angry man is a courageous man.
Let us dream of hugging him before they kill him like Moshood Abiola was murdered in Nigeria.
Let's pray that each day comes with his voice, his breath and his pulses pumping blood.
The government of the day just became another regime after dear Nelson stepped aside.
Corruption, crime, rape, theft, fraud, murder, propaganda -- this happens within Parliament.
If he be murdered, what a loss and a shame on you, lady Azania!
Chris Hani was murdered for his ideas, because there was no regime to arrest him.
Maybe Mzwakhe was next, and only time denied his death.
Moya wa gago re na le wona, kae kapa kae (your spirit shall live with us wherever we go).
You are the icon of change. African humanity lives in you.
You are a role model to the township dwellers, rural youth and parents.
You are an icon of courage.
May the appeal be successful. Hoping to meet you soon..."

Lutango Sigcau
"To Mzwakhe: They can try to break your body,
but they cannot break your spirit.
The apartheid dogs tried before them, but they never succeeded.
Long Live Mzwakhe, Long Live."

Donnchadh Aghas
Liverpool, England
"To the Jailers: Let the poet Mzwakhe go.
Return him to his family at once, and cleanse your shame!"
"To Mzwakhe: In the past, colonisers in my homeland of Ireland
imprisoned and hung our bards (poets).
It seems to me it is still happening in South Africa.
I hope you are let out. Stay strong!"

Nyameko Nondzube
Grahamstown, EC, South Africa

Elizabeth Cheryl Ayana Johnson
Detroit, Michigan
"May the wrongs of the past no longer be blemishes on the present/future.
May the courage of Mzwakhe Mbuli bear witness to the world
that the light of truth and justice must shine brightly upon South Africa.
For the shadows and echoes of apartheid are like open sores festering across the land,
because even now the wounds have yet to be cleansed of lies, fear, greed and envy.
LONG LIVE THE POWER OF TRUTH!
Peace Be Unto You, My Brothers and Sisters."

Thembile Arthurton Mrwebi
"I am sympathetic towards Mbuli.
I wish that he may be released.
He has fought for our liberation; therefore I see no need why is he arrested.
At the same time, there is no clear evidence for his arrest.
I need him.
He does not belong in prison.
Long live Mzwakhe, long live!"

Enoch H. Page, Ph.D.
University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA

Gillian Dyubheni
South Africa
"Please let Mzwakhe free.
He hasn't killed or harmed anyone.
Why deprive him of his freedom?"

Michelle Allen

Khanyi Magubane
"You can arrest a poet, but you can't arrest his words.
The truth remains to be told, and it is continually being told every day
when guilty criminals go free back into the streets.
The truth is, justice is a man's perception--not a state of being--in this country.
FREE MZWAKHE!!!!

Ephraim Ramollo
Trenton, New Jersey, USA
"Hang in there, brother.
I know justice shall prevail soon."

Daniel Merapelo Mothei
Botswana
"I strongly support the release of Mzwakhe Mbuli from prison."

Khumbu Magudulela
Johannesburg, South Africa

Jan Prock
Germany
"Free at last!"

Amelia Phillips, age 18
University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
"If there is no struggle, there is no progress.
Those of us who profess to favor freedom yet depreciate agitation are
[people] who want the crops without plowing up the ground.
They want rain without thunder.
They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters.
Power concedes nothing without a demand.
It never has, and it never will. --Frederick Douglass"

City Thobane
Gaborone, Botswana
"Every time there is a going in, there is a coming out of prison.
Prison is therefore not a grave.
Mandela was in prison for 27 years.
If Mzwakhe is there for half of that, we will wait for him.
uMzwakhe uzobuya nomakanjani."

Edward Dalesio
USA
"Keep on going!"

Mankotane Molabe
Pretoria, South Africa
"One day all the truth shall prevail,
and all the dirty work shall be exposed.
People will know the truth. We are all behind you."

Derek
South Africa
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves: 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?'
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that
other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are born to manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine,
we unconsciously give other people the permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
- Nelson Mandela, 1994 Inaugural Speech.

Nikelo "DJ Black" Katula
South Africa
"I'm not afraid to say Mzwakhe is innocent.
Here in South Africa it is evident that we as black people have wrong skin.
That's why Mzwakhe is in prison.
I mean, one is asking, 'Why is Hansie not in prison?'
My answer is that he does not have a wrong skin.
(All from a concerned student)"

Frank Sherlock
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Thembinkosi Nopapaza
"Even in times of adversity, we will stand by your side.
Whatever befalls, he will remain as our "Poet of the Struggle,"
and one day the truth will come.
Badane, badenge, badangale, badakumbe, badandatheke bade babe ding-dong.
There is no force on earth which could induce us to renounce him."

Siyuvile Masiza
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
"Bra Zwai...made a major contribution to our 'Freedom' as people of Mzantsi.
He is such a great person, I do not know where to start when talking about him.
There were times in our revolution when we thought
we would never achieve what we now have.
There were times of pain when the white policeman
arrested every male, young and old, in our communities.
There were times when all men had to go into hiding,
fearing white police would come and take them away.
There were times our mothers were not sleeping because
they did not know where their sons were.
Others knew, but again were very scared because
their sons had decided to join the forces to fight the white man.
Mzwakhe was with the masses all these times.
He was the inspiration for the masses.
We found comfort in his words.
They gave us courage to move on and continue with our struggle
because it was something we had to do.
We had nothing to lose but a New South Africa to have.
FREE MZWAKHE.
Thank you."

John Flett
United Kingdom

Tembile Mrwebi
South Africa
"Mzwakhe was born to lead, and God knew him even before his birth.
Guys, those who think you can destroy him, you are wasting your time.
Mzwakhe was born to be a hero; that you cannot change,
so give him a chance to perform his TALENT.
President Mandela, I appeal to you:
please raise a finger for the people's poet to be released.
I love him, and I miss his poetic voice."

Kim D. Hunter
Detroit, Michigan, USA
"I used to play Mzwakhe's music on the public station here in Detroit.
He is an inspiration.
I am shocked, saddened and disappointed to discover him imprisoned under false pretense.
Please, those of you who have fought so long for justice:
seek justice for this man now!"
~Yours in Struggle~

Tembile Madaka
Eastern Cape Technikon, South Africa
"Mzwakhe, you have seen that these people
(the rulers, the same people you put in power) don't care for you...
Now it is time for you to lead South Africa.
When they release you, join a Christian organisation
and preach the gospel God meant you to
and call for all born again Christians to support you.
I will be the first one to support you,
because only Christians can rule this country and bring justice.
I need your leadership there, for you have all the leadership qualities.
People of South Africa, let us not keep quiet!
Let us cry for the release of Mbuli, for he is innocent.
South African government, please free our poet now!"

Kelebogile Mphele

Jacobo Santos Cadarso
Spain
"RELEASE HIM!
Mzwakhe Mbuli, South Africa people's poet:
A great man who has fought for justice, against apartheid, and
who has always been giving the people a message of hope, peace and love
FREE MZWAKHE!"

Peter Darling
United Kingdom
"This man is an inspiration."