This Day in History: June 19, 1932
Additional Date: June 19, 1932
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.