The late Dr Jozi Joseph Thwala, popularly known as JJ, was hailed as an academic junkie who will be remembered for his contribution in advancing the vision of the University of Mpumalanga (UMP) as one of the leading African universities. Thwala, a revered siSwati novel and literature writer, passed away last Sunday at the age of 62.

Speaking during his official memorial service, the leader of the BA programme at UMP, Dr Nonzwakazi Maqubela, described Thwala as a working wagon whose sudden death had left a huge void. Maqubela described Thwala’s death as a great loss that hit the university at the least expected time.

“Together with his team, Dr Thwala successfully developed the BA honours programme which will be offered in the year 2022. He was further expected to supervise the development of the masters and PhD in siSwati for the year 2023 and 2024 respectively. More great things were still coming from him and the university has lost a huge asset in him,” she said.

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Thwala contributed extensively to siSwati body knowledge through being published in national and international journals. He wrote a number of siSwati books, including short stories and poems that are still used by various schools in the province.

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Fellow isiZulu author and long-time friend, Elphas Jaha Mhlanga, said Thwala helped in integrating the language and development of siSwati words. “Dr Thwala also served as a deputy chair of the dictionary unit located in Mbombela, where he contributed to the development of the siSwati terminologies,” said Mhlanga.