Sipho Tshabalala
Sipho Tshabalala (January 10, 1888 - September 8, 1939) is considered to be one of the most influencial Swazi novelists during the British occupation of Swaziland. Sipho wrote only five novels in his life, though all were censured by the British government. His most famous book, Kati ya Shujaa, (English: Among the Brave) offered a detailed description of the Swazi's feelings towards the European interlopers.
Sipho was born in Lobamba, the current-day capital of Swaziland. He received basic education from his father, who was educated by British missionaries. From his father, he learned the history of the Swazis, as well as how to write.
Kati ya Shujaa (1924) focuses primarily on Sipho's father's experiences during the Second Boer War. The book is written in the form of a narrative, following the elder Tshabalala in his campaigns with the South African Republic leader Koos de la Rey. Among the Brave was censured by the British upon release, but quickly gained popularity with Swazi independence. Sipho went on to publish three other books, two being novels and the third a collection of poetry, before his death in 1928 at the hands of an undiagnosed disease. In spite of his popularity, his death went relatively unnoticed due to the early events of World War II.