Sol T. Plaatje – författare

First published in 1916 and one of South Africa's great political books, Native Life in South Africa was first and foremost a response to the Native's Land Act of 1913, and was written by one of the most gifted and influential writers and journalists of his generation. Sol T. Plaatje provides an account of the origins of this crucially important piece of legislation and a devastating description of its immediate effects.

Sol Plaatje is one of South Africa’s most important political and literary figures. A pioneer in the history of the black press, he was one of the founders of the African National Congress, a leading spokesman for black opinion throughout his life, and the author of three well-known books: Mafeking Diary, Native Life in South Africa, and his historical novel, Mhudi.These books are not Plaatje’s only claim to fame. In the course of a prolific career he wrote letters to the press, newspaper articles and editorials, pamphlets, political speeches, evidence to government commissions of enquiry, unpublished autobiographical writings, and many personal letters. Together they provide both an engaging personal record and a very readable – and revealing – commentary on South African social and political affairs during the era of segregation, from 1899 through to Plaatje’s tragically early death in 1932.What he wrote has a unique historical importance, all the more meaningful from the perspective of the 1990s.

A contemporary account of the war from an African intellectual.This diary offers a view of the siege of Mafeking, one of the most famous sieges of the South African War. The author, Sol Plaatje, was one of the founders of the African National Congress in 1912. Additional material from oral and archival research has also been incorporated into this edition.South Africa: David Philip/New Africa Books

Originally published in 1930, Mhudi: An Epic of South African Native Life of a Hundred Years Ago is a historical romance of epic scale that tells the story of a courageous and beautiful Barolong woman who risks her life to save her husband. The story is set in the 1830s, during the time of Matabele Chief, Mzilikazi's attempt at exterminating the Barolong people. Considered to be a very important contribution to early South African literature, Mhudi is believed to be the first English novel written by a black South African. Sol T Plaatje was born near Boshoff in 1876 and was educated at Pniel. He was one of the foremost black leaders of his generation in South Africa. He was a prominent spokesperson interacting regularly with government officials in both South Africa and in Britain. He was a court interpreter in Mafeking (now Mafekeng) and became the editor of two newspapers published in both English and Setswana. His pioneering journalism brought him to the attention of his peers and he became the first general secretary of the African National Congress, founded in 1912. He was a significant writer and in later life he translated several of Shakespeare's classic works into Tswana. He died in 1932 in Kimberley.

An epic historical romance, Mhudi is the first novel in English to be written by a black South African writer and renowned as one of Africa's most important literary works. After witnessing the genocide of her tribe, Mhudi wanders the land terrified of encountering enemy warriors until she is suddenly struck by a fear even worse than death; that she is now completely alone. Upon crossing paths with the tribe's only other known survivor, she finds herself at the centre of an extraordinary story of love, war, and unexpected allies. Writing in the early twentieth century, Sol T. Plaatje offers an incredible retelling of South Africa's history that refuses to justify the injustice that was endured. 'More than a classic; there is just no other book on earth like it. All the stature and grandeur of the author are in it.' Bessie Head 'Some of the most compelling and celebrated accounts of the early days of apartheid.' Trevor Noah, New York Times'One of the most remarkable books on Africa by one of the continent's most remarkable writers.' Neil Parsons

An epic historical romance, Mhudi is the first novel in English to be written by a black South African writer and renowned as one of Africa''s most important literary works. After witnessing the genocide of her tribe, Mhudi wanders the land terrified of encountering enemy warriors until she is suddenly struck by a fear even worse than death; that she is now completely alone. Upon crossing paths with the tribe''s only other known survivor, she finds herself at the centre of an extraordinary story of love, war, and unexpected allies. Writing in the early twentieth century, Sol T. Plaatje offers an incredible retelling of South Africa''s history that refuses to justify the injustice that was endured. ''More than a classic; there is just no other book on earth like it. All the stature and grandeur of the author are in it.'' Bessie Head ''Some of the most compelling and celebrated accounts of the early days of apartheid.'' Trevor Noah, New York Times ''One of the most remarkable books on Africa by one of the continent''s most remarkable writers.'' Neil Parsons

Native life in South Africa portrays the realities of dispossession and inequality under restrictive colonial laws. The narrative explores the devastating effects of the Natives' Land Act of 1913, which stripped Black South Africans of their rights to own or lease land in most parts of the country. The work unfolds as a documentation of widespread dislocation and social fragmentation caused by policies that systematically marginalized the indigenous population. Through vivid descriptions and direct observation, it captures the disintegration of communities and the economic hardship that followed enforced segregation. The book combines political analysis with a deeply human perspective, illustrating not only the material consequences of oppression but also the moral and cultural loss experienced by those affected. It reflects a plea for justice and an appeal to conscience, inviting readers to confront the contradictions of a society built on exclusion. The narrative stands as both a report and an act of resistance, preserving the voices and experiences of those silenced by injustice.