Sol Plaatje’s Mhudi is the first full-length novel in English to have been written by a black South African and is widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most important literary works. ‘Set in the 1830s it tells the tale of Mhudi and Ra- haga. A romantic story set against a violent backdrop of war between Baroleng and Matebele, complicated by the intrusions of Boer trekkers with whom the Baroleng form an alliance. ‘It is notable, among other things, for the way Plaatje uses the past to explore the roots of oppression and injustice suffered by his people a century later, when the book was written.’ From the introduction to Sol Plaatje’s Mhudi: History, Criticism, Celebration by Sabata-mpho Mokae and Brian Willan. Bessie Head called it ‘a beautiful book’ and added: ‘It is more than a classic; there is just no other book on earth like it.’ Mhudi has been translated into Setswana, French, Italian and Dutch and at least nine English language editions, some based on the original 1930 Lovedale text, but with footnotes added. Others have illustrations added, some have minor changes and others more extensive changes introduced by editor Stephen Gray. Editions currently available are based on the version with changes made by Stephen Gray.
