The Individual, Auto/biography and History in South Africa

pertinent to the themes of this chapter. The youthful editor of a newly formed
newspaper, Inyaniso (‘The Truth’), B. Mnguni wrote to Tabata requesting him to write
a review of a pamphlet on influx control, which had been published shortly before. 37
Ironically, the pamphlet, ‘Influx of Natives into Towns’, was a piece that Tabata
himself had authored under a pseudonym. 38 Realising the “predicament” he was in,
and clearly not wanting to do a review of his own book, Tabata nevertheless wanted to
give the new publication and the group behind it “every encouragement and help” he
could. Mnguni and his colleagues at Inyaniso saw themselves as “an independent
youth league not connected with Mbede’s (sic) group”. 39
Within a few days, Tabata wrote off 40 to Wycliffe Tsotsi, who had earlier complained
to him of being “snowed under with work”. Tabata nevertheless suggested that Tsotsi
could help him solve the problem. He proposed to Tsotsi that he help out “by either
fathering or writing the review”. Tabata explained that he had asked Dora Taylor to
write the review, and asked Tsotsi “to do what you like. You have a completely free
hand. You can tear the document to pieces. You can alter it, knock it into shape in your
own style, use it as a basis, anything you like”. Tabata implored Tsotsi to let “the
boys” have the review “under your name”. “For obvious reasons” it could not go
under Taylor’s name. Tabata enclosed Taylor’s review, saying that it was already
about “10 lines too long”. 41
But Mnguni and Inyaniso had asked for more than just a review from Tabata. They also
asked him to write an autobiographical sketch and submit a photographic portrait for
37I.B. Tabata to B Mnguni, 21 March 1946, I.B. Tabata Collection (BC 925), The original letter from
Mnguni does not survive, but it is referred to in Tabata’s reply.
38B. Somvinane (I.B. Tabata), ‘Influx of Natives into Towns: What it Means’, All African Convention
(WP), May 1944 (Manuscripts and Archives, Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University).
39I.B. Tabata to Wycliffe Tsotsi, 12 March 1946, I.B. Tabata Collection (BC 925). ‘Mbede’ was obviously
a reference to Anton Lembede of the newly formed Congress Youth League.
40Note that this is not entirely true. The letter in the collection is in Dora Taylor’s handwriting, and
may have been narrated by Tabata, as if to a secretary. However, it is more likely that the strategy it
proposed was the result of careful discussion, planning and resolution by both Tabata and Taylor. See
below.
41I.B. Tabata to Wycliffe Tsotsi, 12 March 1946, I.B. Tabata Collection (BC 925).
337