Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Foreword: Sol T Plaatje and the ‘power of all’
- Introduction: Native Life in South Africa – then and now
- Editions of Native Life in South Africa: 1916 to the present
- Looking Back: Foreword to Ravan Press edition of Native Life in South Africa, 1982
- Poetic Tributes
- What is in a name? In memory of Sol T Plaatje
- Segopoco Sa Moshui Sol T Plaatje
- In memory of the late Sol T Plaatje
- Lefatshe, nkometse
- Earth, swallow me
- Miscellaneous Frontmatter
- Chapter 1 Native Life in South Africa: Writing, publication, reception
- Chapter 2 Modernist at large: The aesthetics of Native Life in South Africa
- Chapter 3 The print world of the press and Native Life in South Africa
- Chapter 4 Going places: Native Life in South Africa and the politics of mobility
- Chapter 5 Native Life in South Africa and the world at war
- Chapter 6 African intellectual history, black cosmopolitanism and Native Life in South Africa
- Chapter 7 ‘Native Lives’ behind Native Life: Intellectual and political influences on the ANC and democratic South Africa
- Chapter 8 Whose past? Native Life in South Africa and historical writing
- Chapter 9 Women and society in Native Life in South Africa: Roles and ruptures
- Chapter 10 African progressivism, land and law: Re-reading Native Life in South Africa
- Chapter 11 Land and belonging: On the tomb ya ga Solomon Plaatje
- Chapter 12 Revisiting the landscapes of Native Life
- A Contemporary Reimagining: The Road to Dikhudung
- Contributors
- Plaatje Resources
- List of Figures
- Index
What is in a name? In memory of Sol T Plaatje
from Poetic Tributes
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 April 2018
- Frontmatter
- Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Foreword: Sol T Plaatje and the ‘power of all’
- Introduction: Native Life in South Africa – then and now
- Editions of Native Life in South Africa: 1916 to the present
- Looking Back: Foreword to Ravan Press edition of Native Life in South Africa, 1982
- Poetic Tributes
- What is in a name? In memory of Sol T Plaatje
- Segopoco Sa Moshui Sol T Plaatje
- In memory of the late Sol T Plaatje
- Lefatshe, nkometse
- Earth, swallow me
- Miscellaneous Frontmatter
- Chapter 1 Native Life in South Africa: Writing, publication, reception
- Chapter 2 Modernist at large: The aesthetics of Native Life in South Africa
- Chapter 3 The print world of the press and Native Life in South Africa
- Chapter 4 Going places: Native Life in South Africa and the politics of mobility
- Chapter 5 Native Life in South Africa and the world at war
- Chapter 6 African intellectual history, black cosmopolitanism and Native Life in South Africa
- Chapter 7 ‘Native Lives’ behind Native Life: Intellectual and political influences on the ANC and democratic South Africa
- Chapter 8 Whose past? Native Life in South Africa and historical writing
- Chapter 9 Women and society in Native Life in South Africa: Roles and ruptures
- Chapter 10 African progressivism, land and law: Re-reading Native Life in South Africa
- Chapter 11 Land and belonging: On the tomb ya ga Solomon Plaatje
- Chapter 12 Revisiting the landscapes of Native Life
- A Contemporary Reimagining: The Road to Dikhudung
- Contributors
- Plaatje Resources
- List of Figures
- Index
Summary
A question asked so frequently,
Yet seldom it receives reply.
Read carefully the lines below!
They're sure to satisfy.
A year has passed since we interred
Remains of one we least could spare.
Defender, Fighter, Champion,
Sleep, you have done your share!
The shock was felt by multitudes!
The blow severe turned hearts to ice!
For the demise of noble Sol,
Was a great sacrifice.
One who for others strived to live;
His people's rights his foremost thought;
Discouraged often in his toils,
Great battles though he fought.
A lot has he achieved. But Ah!
A lot has he left incomplete.
It is for those he left behind,
To further and complete.
His pen he wielded forcibly.
His weapon always was the Press.
Speaking from public platforms too,
The people to address.
And though his earnings were but scant,
Strife won for him fame and reward.
For here was one devoid of wealth,
But buried like a Lord.
Author, Translator, Orator,
In you we've lost a precious prize!
Your death, occurred a year ago,
Today we solemnize.
Your ready smile and kindly word,
Career, endeavour, intellect,
Humour and generosity,
We aye will recollect.
A word of heartfelt gratitude,
To all who joined in sympathy,
And were responsible to cheer
The mourning family.
Came Indian, Coloured, White and Black,
And others, miles, to join in Grace,
Homage to pay around the grave
Of one who served his race.
Came from Inland and Overseas
Letters and telegrams – a stream,
And gen'rous aid for which is thanked
All friends who well did mean.
The papers far and wide are thanked,
For kindly answering the call,
Distributing lengthy reports
Of noble deeds of Sol.
Your struggles have been very hard –
Sleep on and take your well-earned rest!
Your efforts we appreciate,
May you be ever blest.
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- Information
- Sol Plaatje's Native Life in South AfricaPast and Present, pp. xli - xliiiPublisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2016