BUF/NAMM/0006

This Memorial commemorates a South African author who was the first person to write a novel in a Xhosa language.In 1907 Mohayi wrote is considered to be his first Novel in the Xhosa Language ,U Samson which was version of the Biblical story of Samson .In 1914 his ITyala Lamawele appeared inspired by another Biblical story .Ityala Lamawele is a defense of Xhosa law before European administration Mohayi's memories of Nzanzana's  court enabled hom to provide a most illuminating picture of Xhosa Judicial procedure .In the 1920 Mohayi wrote several Biographies and Imihobe Nemibongo (1027,Songs of Joy and lullabies the first published collection of Xhosa poems ,many of which celebrate current events or important figures .A work of fiction ,U-Don-Jadu.(1929 describes a utopian multiracial state that combines elements of western society and Xhosa culture ,Mohayis Autobiography ,U-Mohayi Wase Ntabozuko (1939 Mohayi of the mountain of beauty)gives a wild picture of the late 19th Century Xhosa life .Mohayis collected poems inzuzo(Reward) were published in 1942.Mohayi was the recipient of the may ester Bedford prize for Bantu Literature .In 1935 an honorary Doctorate was  posthumously