Thomas Mofolo was born in 22 December 1876 and died in 8 September 1948. He penned one of the best literature books Africa has ever seen.
In February 2002, his famous book, Chaka, was named one of the twelve best works of African literature of the 20th century by a panel organised by Ali Mazrui.
To understand the book’s influence, it is listed in the top twelve among such literary masterpieces as
1. Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, 1958
2. Wole Soyinka’s Ake: The Years of Childhood, 1981
3. Ngugi wa Thiongo, A Grain of Wheat, 1967
Chaka was published in 1925 although Mofolo finished writing it in 1910. The book has been translated into English, Afrikaans, French and German and is considered one of the international bestsellers.
In his honour, the National University of Lesotho has named its biggest library in Lesotho, Thomas Mofolo Library.
