Njabulo Simakahle Ndebele (born 4 July 1948) is a South African academic and writer of fiction who is the former vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Cape Town (UCT). On 16 November 2012, he was inaugurated as the chancellor of the University of Johannesburg.

He served on the board of the Nelson Mandela Foundation from its establishment in 2003, and as its chairperson for more than a decade, until his retirement, handing over the position in 2024 to Naledi Pandor.

Life and career

Ndebele's father was Nimrod Njabulo Ndebele and his mother was Makhosazana Regina Tshabangu. His highly influential essays on South African literature and culture were published in a collection Rediscovery of the Ordinary. In 2008, he was honoured by the South African Literary Awards with the K Sello Duiker Memorial Award.

Ndebele served as president of the Congress of South African Writers from 1987 to 1997.

  • 2008: The University of Michigan awarded him an honorary doctorate in law.
  • 2012: Durban University of Technology conferred on Ndebele an honorary degree, Doctor of Technology in Arts and Design, "in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education, literature and public service".

Works

  • Fine Lines from the Box: Further Thoughts About Our Country, 2007
  • The Cry of Winnie Mandela, Ayebia Clarke Publishing, 2004
  • "Africans must treasure their literature", The Independent, 30 July 2002
  • Umpropheti/The Prophetess, 1999
  • Death of a Son, 1996
  • Bonolo and the Peach Tree, 1994
  • Sarah, Rings, and I, 1993
  • Rediscovery of the Ordinary: Essays on South African Literature and Culture, 1991, reissued 2006
  • Fools and Other Stories, Ravan Press, 1983, reissued 2006

Ndebele also contributed to Chimurenga magazine.

References

  • Official website