Sol Plaatje

Early Life Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje, known as Sol, was born on 9 October 1876 in the Boshof district of the Orange Free State. His parents were Christians who belonged to the Setswana-speaking Barolong tribe. He received his only formal education, a few years in the elementary grades, at the Pniel mission station of the Lutheran Berlin Mission Society, near Barkly West.

Career Beginnings In 1894, Plaatje moved to Kimberley, where he worked as a postman and continued his private studies. He distinguished himself on the civil service examinations. On the eve of the Boer War, he was sent to Mafeking as an interpreter. During the siege of Mafeking in 1899 - 1900, he acted as both court interpreter and clerk to the Mafeking administrator of Native affairs.

Journalism and Activism Plaatje turned to journalism at the end of the war and established the first Setswana-English weekly, Koranta ea Becoana (Newspaper of the Tswana) in 19011. He later established a new paper; Tsala ea Becoana, later renamed Tsala ea Batho (The Friend of the People). When the South African Native National Congress (SANNC), which later became the African National Congress (ANC), was formed in 1912, Plaatje was chosen as its first secretary-general.

Later Life In 1914, Plaatje went to Britain as a member of the deputation charged with appealing to the British government against the Land Act of 19131. He remained in Britain until February 1917, when he returned to South Africa. Plaatje passed away on 19 June 19321