Sol Plaatje's epic novel, Mhudi, was a pioneering work in South African literature when it was published in 1930. Written in 1919 and 1920, it was the first full-length novel in English by a black South African. The novel's publication came at a time when there were few works of fiction written by southern Africans. Notably, Sesotho novels like Moeti wa Bochabela and Chaka by Thomas Mofolo, as well as An African Tragedy by RRR Dhlomo, were among the few existing works.
What sets Mhudi apart is its central character, a woman named Mhudi, which was a rare feat for a novel written by a man at that time. This portrayal of the African woman earned Plaatje acclaim from scholars for decades after the novel's publication. According to Sekepe Daniel Matjila and Karen Haire in their book, Bringing Plaatje Home — Ga e Phetsolele Nageng, Mhudi exhibits independence that challenges traditional conceptions of women as minors.
Plaatje's work critiques African society for excluding women from public decision-making and undervaluing their potential. In the novel, Mhudi shows superior judgment, as seen when she distrusts the headman who invites her husband on a hunting trip. Despite her warnings, her husband accepts the invitation, putting both of them in danger. This episode highlights the conflict between Mhudi and her husband, illustrating the theme of male chauvinism.
In the foreword of Mhudi, Plaatje noted that South African literature was almost exclusively European at the time he wrote the novel. More than a century after its publication, Mhudi exemplifies the efforts of African writers to reimagine the continent and its people with humanity. Chinua Achebe's concept of "new ways to write about Africa" is reflected in Plaatje's work, which sought to reinvest the continent with dignity.
By writing Mhudi, Plaatje took on the responsibility of correcting the wrongs of a literature that had been dominated by European perspectives. Achebe's phrase, "Until the lion has his or her own storyteller, the hunter will always have the best part of the story," resonates with Plaatje's role as a storyteller. Plaatje's work, along with that of other African writers, aimed to re-story the African experience.
In Mhudi, Plaatje presents an imaginative portrayal of Africa before European colonization. He describes the Bechuana tribes inhabiting areas between Central Transvaal and the Kalahari Desert, living a patriarchal life under several chiefs. The novel highlights the destruction caused by Western civilization and offers a corrective to the history that had been fictionalized.
More than 100 years after Plaatje wrote Mhudi, the novel remains a relevant text for examining collective and individual lives. The occasion of Plaatje's post-humous 150th birthday provides an opportunity to revisit his work, reflect on his life, and draw lessons from his writing.
Key points
- Sol Plaatje's novel Mhudi was a groundbreaking work that challenged gender roles, colonial narratives, and literary stereotypes in South African literature.
