Cory Library and Historical Archives

Title

African Literary and Intellectual Works Collection

Description

The Works by African Poets, Writers, and Intellectuals collection is a digitised archival grouping from the Cory Library and Historical Archives at Rhodes University, highlighting the literary, intellectual, and cultural contributions of African authors and thinkers preserved in the library’s holdings. Situated within the African Heritage Collections, this item set brings together materials that reflect creative expression, literary production, and intellectual discourse from prominent African poets, writers, and scholars.

The collection encompasses sub-collections and individual item groups such as works and related archival material by authors including Henry Masila Ndawo, Malcolm Everitt Mlungiseleli Nyoka, pieces associated with the S.E.K. Mqhayi Collection, and materials linked to jazz-era cultural figure Todd Matshikiza (including parts of a King Kong thematic grouping). Collectively, these materials document a range of literary voices and intellectual traditions from the African continent, with a particular focus on South Africa, spanning poetry, prose, correspondence, manuscript materials, and related cultural artefacts. By foregrounding African creative and intellectual heritage, this collection supports research in literature, cultural studies, history, and African studies.

Type

Collection

Text

Subject

African literature

African intellectuals

Mqhayi, S.E.K.

Matshikiza, Todd

Ndawo, Henry Masila

Nyoka, Mlungiseleli

Literary heritage

African heritage

Spatial Coverage

South Africa

Temporal Coverage

Primarily the 20th century (reflective of the authors and intellectuals represented)

Format

Digital images

Manuscript scans