Encyclopaedia Africana

Heroes and Heroines

  • 6 Min Read

Albert John Mvumbi Lutuli (circa 1898 to July 21, 1967) was the president-general of the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa for 15 crucial...

  • 3 Min Read

Nicolaas Petrus Van Wyk Louw (1906-1970), the foremost Afrikaans poet, essayist and dramatist, was born in Sutherland, Cape Province. He received his education both there...

  • 4 Min Read

Willem Johannes Leyds (Magelang, Java, May 1, 1859-The Hague, Netherlands, May 14, 1940) was a Dutch lawyer who rendered the Transvaal Republic admirable service in...

  • 3 Min Read

Bombo Lahai (Bombolai) Konko Gbaku (who ruled from about 1884 to 1911) was the third paramount chief of Tonko Limba. Much of his reign was...

  • 4 Min Read

James M. Dwane (1848-1915), born in the Cape Colony, was one of the African church leaders who in 1892 founded the independent Ethiopian Church of...

  • 2 Min Read

Timothy Cekwane (1893-December 1949) was founder and leader of the Zulu spirit church, the Church of the Light. The church emphasises the “cleansing” of itself...

  • 4 Min Read

Roy Campbell (October 2, 1901-April 22, 1957) was a South African poet and writer. His vigorous verse was in marked contrast to the introverted literary...

  • 3 Min Read

Joseph Kiwele (1912-November 15, 1961) was a leading musician, educator, and politician in the Katanga Province (now Shaba Region). Born at Mpala 0 km (12...

  • 3 Min Read

Reuben Tolakele Caluza (circa 1900-1965) was a Zulu musician, composer, and song writer, whose work also appealed to detribalised Zulu who had moved into the...

  • 5 Min Read

Kikoso Gibanda Mafu (circa 1875-May 21, 1955) ruled the Pende chiefdom of Shimuna, located on the left bank of the Kwilu River in the present...

Editor’s Note

This website features a collection of articles largely from previously published volumes of the Encyclopaedia Africana, specifically the Encyclopaedia Africana Dictionary of African Biography, which highlights notable individuals from various regions of Africa. Please note that in these volumes, some names of people, towns, and countries were spelled differently than they are today. We have retained these historical spellings to preserve the integrity of the original publications. In some instances, the current spellings are also provided for easy reference.
Please report errors to: info@encyclopaediaafricana.com / research@encyclopaediaafricana.com

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