You cannot mention the word ‘Soweto’ without including ‘Vilakazi Street’ somewhere in the mix. Many of us know of and have probably visited this famous street in Soweto housing popular attraction sites such as The Mandela House and The Hector Peterson museum amongst many others.

But do we know who it is named after?

Dr Benedict Wallet Vilakazi was born on the 6th January 1906 at Groutville Mission Station near Stanger in KwaZulu-Natal. He was a celebrated IsiZulu poet, novelist and educator who was the first black African to teach at The University of the Witwatersand. He also became the first black South African academic to obtain a PhD in 1946.

He published a number of novels including his first ‘Nje Nempela (Really and truly)’ in 1933.He is also credited for his contribution in compiling the IsiZulu – English dictionary.

The famous Vilakazi street in Soweto – the only street in the world where two Noble Peace Prize recipients once lived, is named in his honour. He passed on at age 41 on the 26th October 1947.

His name, work and legacy continues to live on!

Remember The Silent Heroes.