Perception and Prejudice of the Global North towards the Global South: Thomas Mofolo’s Chaka in Perspective

Abstract: Published in the year 1925 and first translated into English in 1931, Chaka is the third novel written by Lesotho (country in Southern Africa) writer Thomas Mofolo. It is interesting to note that Mofolo's retelling of the life and experiences of the Zulu emperor King Shaka. Originally written in Sesotho, this novel is a mythic retelling of the life and experiences of the Zulu emperor King Shaka. It is interesting to note that Mofolo's unwillingness to denounce tribal practices infuriated the publisher, who put the original manuscript on hold for many years. Further, the first English version of the novel also ignites issues of authenticity and transparency. Daniel P. Kunene, who has translated Chaka in recent times, has published out the omission of at least two chapters from the published version that dealt with the traditions and history of the Zulu community. This paper intends to navigate the politics of publication surrounding the novel Chaka and to expose the colonial mindset that has forcibly tried to retain the perception and prejudice of the Global North towards the Global South. The publisher's attempt to denounce and critique the tribal traditions and cultural practices may be seen as a deliberate attempt on the part of the Global North to subjugate and subvert the identity of the Global South in a process that is reminiscent of colonial hegemony.

Keywords: Prejudice, Perception, Global North, Global South, Thomas Mofolo, Chaka