ULIBAMBE LINGASHONI! A history of "Ilanga lase Natal" newspaper
521pp., illus., paperback, Jacana, Johannesburg, 2025
ISBN: 9781431435616
A collection of essays on the early history of the weekly English/Zulu newspaper, Ilanga lase Natal, founded by John and Nokutela Dube in colonial Natal in 1903. The book traces the paper’s role in advancing black modernism and literary innovation amidst colonial oppression. The Dubes’ commitment to education and political activism is explored, revealing how Ilanga addressed social issues, promoted multilingualism, and fostered community engagement during a turbulent period in South Africa’s history.
Contributions include:
""'None of the enlightened nations is without a newspaper': The early years of Ilanga lase Natal" by Muziwandile Hadebe and Heather Hughes
"Imifanekiso: Visual culture and representation in Ilanga lase Natal" by Athambile Masola and Kholeka Shange
"Magema Fuze: The minoritarian writer" by Hlonipha Mokoena
"Ilanga lase Natal and black African politics in its first three decades" and "Ilanga lase Natal and black African politics: The ICU and CPSA" by Peter Limb
"'Iphepha leli kakulona elamadoda odwa' (This paper is not only for men): The presence of women in Ilanga lase Natal, 1930-1939" by Marijke du Toit
"'Okubonwa uMahlathi': The column of A.W.G. Champion in Ilanga lase Natal newspaper, 1964-1974" by Bongani Ngqulunga
"Testing the limits of impartiality: Ilanga lase Natal's role in ANC leadership contestation in Natal, 1948-2951" by Sinbongiseni Mkhize
"UZulu angaphinda okwaseSandlwana (Zulus can repeat what they did at Isandlwana): Ilanga, Mangosuthu Buthelezi and the centenary commemoration of the Battle of Isandlwana" by Vusithemba Ndima
"Ilanga le Theku: Developing plural voices for the urban youth" by Simphiwe Ngwane.
Bongani Ngqulunga is Associate Professor in the Department of Politics and International Relations and Director of the African Biographies Research and Writing Project, both at the University of Johannesburg. From 2019 to 2023, he served as Director of the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Study, also based at the University of Johannesburg. He is the author of The Man Who Founded the ANC: A biography of Pixley ka Isaka Seme (2017) and co-editor (with David Boucher) of Reappraising the Life and Legacy of Jan C. Smuts (2024).