65. Chaka by Thomas Mofolo
Title: Chaka Author: Thomas Mofolo Translator: Daniel P. Kunene Genre: Historical Fiction/Epic Tragedy Publishers: Heinemann African Writers Series Pages: 168 Year of first Publication: 1931 (in Sesotho), 1981 (English ) Chaka is a historical fiction of the life of the founder of the Zulu Kingdom, Chaka, (sometimes spelt Shaka). As an epic tragedy, the story's arc follows the normal curve or the inverted 'U', where events are built up to the peak and begin to descend uncontrollably ending in the demise of the main character, Chaka. In this very novel, Mofolo mixes facts with fiction to recreate the legendary and wondrous life of one of Africa's most mysterious and highly enigmatic figures whose true life is stranger than fiction. Chaka born out of wedlock became the first male child of Senzangakhona, Chaka's father. His position, however, became precarious after Senzangakhona's senior wives began to bear him male children even though th...