General Secretary of the ANC, journalist and writer, Solomon Plaatje dies

Date: 19 Jun 1932
Updated: 17 Jun 2020

Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje was a South African writer, linguist, translator and political leader. Plaatje died of pneumonia at the age of 55 while on a trip to Johannesburg. He was a prolific journalist and writer and in 1912 became first secretary-general of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC), which in 1923 became the African National Congress (ANC). Plaatjie’s contributions to literature include his translation of Shakespeare's Comedy of Errors, Julius Caesar, and Much Ado about Nothing into Tswana and published the widely acclaimed book, Native life in South Africa documenting the experiences of black farmers forced off the land following the passing of the Land Act in 1913.

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01Sol Plaatje ,"The history of Sol Plaatje",From: Sol Plaatje,[online], Available at: www.solplaatje.org.za,[Accessed on 28 May 2012]
02Enotes,"Sol T. Plaatje",From: Enotes,[online], Available at: www.enotes.com, [Accessed on 28 May 2012]

Last updated · 17 Jun 2020

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, June 14). General Secretary of the ANC, journalist and writer, Solomon Plaatje dies . South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0085932

South African History Online (2012) 'General Secretary of the ANC, journalist and writer, Solomon Plaatje dies ', South African History Online, 14 June. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0085932 (Accessed: 26 July 2026).

South African History Online, General Secretary of the ANC, journalist and writer, Solomon Plaatje dies [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0085932, (accessed 26 July 2026).

"General Secretary of the ANC, journalist and writer, Solomon Plaatje dies ." South African History Online, 14 June 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0085932. Accessed 26 July 2026.

South African History Online. "General Secretary of the ANC, journalist and writer, Solomon Plaatje dies ." South African History Online. June 14, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0085932.