Native Life in South Africa is one of South Africa’s great political books. First published in 1916, it was first and foremost a response to the Native’s Land Act of 1913 and was written by one of the most gifted and influential writers and journalists of his generation. Native Life in South Africa provides an account of the origins of this crucially important piece of legislation and a devastating description of its immediate effects. Plaatje spent many weeks traveling in the countryside and the most moving chapters in the book tell us what he saw. His book explores the wider political and historical context that produced policies of the kind embodied in the Land Act, and documents meticulously steps taken by South Africa’s rulers to exclude black South Africans from the exercise of political power.

Sol Plaatje's Mhudi is the first full-length novel in English to have been written by a black South African and is widely regarded as one of South Africa's most important literary works. 'Set in the 1830s it tells the tale of Mhudi and Ra- haga. A romantic story set against a violent backdrop of war between Baroleng and Matebele, complicated by the intrusions of Boer trekkers with whom the Baroleng form an alliance. 'It is notable, among other things, for the way Plaatje uses the past to explore the roots of oppression and injustice suffered by his people a century later, when the book was written.' From the introduction to Sol Plaatje's Mhudi: History, Criticism, Celebration by Sabata-mpho Mokae and Brian Willan. Bessie Head called it 'a beautiful book' and added: 'It is more than a classic; there is just no other book on earth like it.' Mhudi has been translated into Setswana, French, Italian and Dutch and at least nine English language editions, some based on the original 1930 Lovedale text, but with footnotes added. Others have illustrations added, some have minor changes and others more extensive changes introduced by editor Stephen Gray. Editions currently available are based on the version with changes made by Stephen Gray.

Sol Plaatje’s Mhudi was the first novel written in English by a black African. It tells the story of the love of a female refugee and her husband as they wander through the damaged South African social and physical landscapes of the mid-nineteenth century.

The novel recounts Mzilikazi’s militant incursions into central southern Africa and the military alliance between the Tswana and the Voortrekkers.