On 24 November 1989 the Library at the University of Swaziland in Kwaluseni formally received a large portion of the papers and manuscripts of the eminent Swazi writer, historian, statesman, and current chief executive of the Swaziland National Trust, J. S. M. Matsebula. The deposit of these papers has formed the nucleus of a small, but interesting and rapidly expanding, Swaziana Collection and this contribution, it is hoped, will inspire other prominent Swazis and scholars of Swaziland similarly to deposit their materials. The preeminent anthropologist, Hilda Kuper, has recently offered her large and valuable collection of manuscripts and field notes to the University of Swaziland, and the elder statesman, J. J. Nquku, founder of the Swaziland Progressive Party (among other accomplishments), is preparing his personal papers for the Collection as well. Additionally, it has just been learned that the Swaziland Oral History Project materials will be transferred to the University of Swaziland from the University of the Witwatersrand.

James Shadrack Mkhulunyelwa Matsebula was born in 1918, outside Mbabane, the capital of Swaziland, into a family which has traditionally played a significant role in ritual Swazi royal life. The King's first wife is chosen from the Matsebulas and is known as laMatsebula. He was educated in Swaziland and South Africa and has written on a wide variety of topics in several genres and languages.