Proverbs as employed in T. Msibi’s short story Phumani Nelokhambi in Z. Motsa’s Khulumani Sive

This article is a critical analysis of proverbs that are identified in the siSwati short story ‘Phumani Nelikhambi’, contributed by Thembekile Msibi to Khulumani Sive by Zodwa Motsa (2004). The concepts of ‘short story’ and ‘proverb’ will be defined as part of the introductory section of this discourse. Thereafter, a summary of the short story will be provided, to lay a good foundation. Then, the dominant proverbs in the story shall be identified and listed before the actual analysis. While the various domains of the proverbs will be alluded to in the discussion, the proverbs will not be categorised into these. Each proverb will be critically analysed by focusing on its origin, structure, literal and figurative meanings in general, and its meaning in the context of the story. The latter will also comprise of the effectiveness of the proverbs in the narrative, the author’s intentions and some cultural aspects which are highlighted