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Noni Jabavu was born in this day in 1919. She was the first Black South African woman to publish autobiographies. Her first, Drawn In Color was published 60 years ago this year. This is Jabavu at her office of The New Strand in London in 1961. She was its first African editor.
For those who may not know Jabavu comes from a Journalism dynasty. Her maternal and paternal grandfathers were publishing pioneers. Elijah Makiwane, the second Black priest ordained in the Presbyterian church was editor of Isigisimi samaXhosa. The first bilingual newspaper.
Her paternal grandfather, John Tengo Jabavu also became Isigimi's editor and later founded Imvo Zabantsundu in 1884. This was the first Black owned newspaper.
Her mother, Florence Makiwane was among the first alumni of lovedale college and among the first to teach there. She was a qualified music teacher and founded a women's self-help group, Zenzele Women's Self Improvement Association.
Her aunt, Cecilia Makiwane was the first Black registered nurse and was part of the campaigns against pass laws organized by Charlotte Maxeke.
In the 70s Noni Jabavu also became a columnist for the Daily Dispatch. Here's another photograph of her in London, taken on 12 September 1961 outside the New Strand offices from the Rolls Press archive. The image in the first tweet is from the Keystone archive.
If there is one scholar to read on the life a d work of Noni Jabavu, it is Makhosazana Xaba. Here is an essay with some further references to sources we can access for more on Jabavu. https://johannesburgreviewofbooks.com/2019/08/05/on-noni-jabavu-and-the-return-home-makhosazana-xaba-celebrates-one-of-south-africas-foundational-literary-centenarians/
I've always followed the thoughtful writing in The Journalist. Here's some history on Noni Jabavu's grandfather Elijah Makiwane and a bit about JT Jabavu. https://www.thejournalist.org.za/pioneers/elijah-makiwane/
Mwelela wrote this history of Lovedale in it is some Makiwane history https://www.newframe.com/preserving-lovedale-press-a-historical-compass/
Her father, Davidson Don Tengo Jabavu the founder of the All-Africa Convention that opposed the segregation laws implemented under Hertzog. It's likely why Noni was sent to school in England, the segregation that prevented her access to the same education as white children.
Noni Jabavu's Drawn In Colour & The Ochre People are out of print. If only there had been the thought to try & reprint them in honor of her centenary! Anyway. Jabavu passed away in 2008 eMonti having been awarded a lifetime achievement award for her contributions. 
Camera Press
Camera Press
She was also the first black woman to broadcast for the BBC. She worked as presented and producer for the British broadcaster. Truly a pioneer.
One more thing: read Makhosazana Xaba's work. That's it. Her work on Jabavu is the most important.
Here's a podcast on Noni Jabavu by Makhosazana Xaba in case you can't find a moment to read but are keen on listening to the history. https://wiser.wits.ac.za/event/wiser-podcast-episode-12-makhosazana-xaba
