African Intellectuals in 19th and Early 20th Century South Africa

(MediaWeb) The African intellectual tradition that found contemporary expression in liberation and black consciousness movements, in modern literature and music, has frequently been hidden from history books. Either that, or inherently biased in colonial or missionary narratives. However, it is an intellectual and social heritage that in many ways formed the foundation of national struggles against colonialism and apartheid. And which shaped the state of the nation as it is today. It is fitting, therefore, during the month celebrating Heritage Day, that the HSRC Press launches African Intellectuals in 19th and Early 20th Century South Africa, in conjunction with the National Heritage Council, Amathole District Municipality and Fort Hare University. The slim compilation profiles the lives and works of five individuals who played a pioneering role in the evolution of intellectual activity at the turn of the previous century. Products of the missionary and British "civilising" movements, they nevertheless refused to define themselves in the image of their colonial benefactors. Instead, they re-defined themselves, taking the best from two worlds and creating the bedrock of what became a modern African identity. Ntsikane, Tiyo Soga, John Tengo Jabavu, Mpilo Walter Benson Rubusana and Samuel Edward Krune Mqhayi represent a few of the well-know intellectuals of their time. Literary geniuses, composers, philosophers and social commentators, they transcended the confines of their own cultures and the restrictions of missionary education and religion to forge something new and often way ahead of their contexts. Written in the style of a popular reader, accessible and engaging, the volume presents valuable research that becomes available to a large, and especially younger, readership. While each individual's contribution is distinctive, they are linked in terms of historical setting and similar backgrounds. Ntisikane was a prophet who was one of the first converts to demonstrate how to combine Christianity with an indigenous value system. Soga championed pride in African history and ability at the height of colonial racism. Jabavu initiated black newspapers, and popularised the culture of reading. Mqhayi pioneered African literature. Rubusana advocated an idea that is only now gaining traction in the education sector - mother-tongue instruction. The focus here is on the Eastern Cape, but it is hoped the pilot project will be extended to other parts of the country. This successful collaboration between a heritage institution, a municipality, a research institution and an institution of higher learning is a model that can be used to further celebrate public intellectuals who play an important part of the living heritage landscape of South Africa. African Intellectuals in 19th and Early 20th Century South Africa is edited by Mcebisi Ndletyana and is published by the HSRC Press. Dr Ndletyana is a Senior Research Specialist at the Democracy and Governance Research Programme, HSRC. Contributors are Vuyani Booi, Songezo Joel Ngqongqo and Mncedisi Professor Qangule. Copies of all of HSRC Press published titles are available from leading booksellers nationally, and from the online bookshop at www.hsrcpress.ac.za. For further details, contact Karen Bruns at [email protected].