A Zulu king in conversation with the world: Translational and transcultural strategies in Chaka (1981) by Thomas Mofolo

This article discusses Chaka (1981) by Thomas Mofolo as a transcultural text written author. It had hybrid origins, was with local and global audiences in mind forges linkages between different ethnicities, nations, languages literary traditions. In this way it disrupts the centre periphery polarity associated stark distinctions “European” “African” literatures. shifting attention to entanglements without which would never have been or read, I am being mindful of view Rebecca Walkowitz, outlined her book Born Translated (2015), that some works begin collaboratively comparatively, multiple geographical locations, are targeted readerships various cultures languages. Walkowitz examines importance these processes contemporary Anglophone literature, but will argue Mofolo’s novel its own “born translated” displays many characteristics highlighted discussions writers like J. M. Coetzee, Haruki Marukami Jamaica Kincaid. The outlines how translation shaped became condition production, political meanings influenced fact exists editions markets, ways can be understood writing.