"Mhudi is a great South African novel, written by one of the country's most famous literary and political figures. Set in the 1830's, drawing upon the oral tradition, Mhudi tells the tale of Mhudi and Ra-Thaga, a romantic story set against a violent backdrop of war between Barolong, Boer, and Matebele. Mhudi is the heroine of the tale, an inspirational figure, braver and wiser than those around her. In her words and actions she helps to lay bare the roots of many of the injustices that plagued later generations in South Africa, especially in relation to land. At the same time she offers hope and redemption for the future. Mhudi is an essential read." --cover page [4].