Native Life in South Africa

Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje (1876-1932) was a South African writer, journalist, activist, and politician. He was born in Boshof, a town in the Orange Free State, and grew up in Kimberley, where he worked as a clerk for the diamond mining company De Beers.

Plaatje was a founding member of the African National Congress (ANC) and played an important role in the struggle against colonialism and apartheid in South Africa. He was also a prolific writer and wrote books, articles, and speeches in English, Setswana, and other languages.

In addition to his literary and political work, Plaatje was also a linguist, anthropologist, and historian. He was one of the first black South Africans to publish research on the indigenous languages and cultures of southern Africa.

He is remembered as a pioneering figure in South African literature and politics, and as a champion of human rights and social justice.