Arthur Nuthall Fula: The Black South African Novelist Who Wrote in Afrikaans

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Arthur Nuthall Fula (1908–1966) holds a unique place in South African literary history as one of the very few black African writers to publish works in Afrikaans during the apartheid era—a language then strongly associated with the white ruling class and systemic oppression. A skilled linguist fluent in Afrikaans, multiple African languages, and French, Fula broke cultural and linguistic boundaries, producing works that offered rare insights into the lives of black South Africans through the lens of a language traditionally tied to their oppressors.

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Early Life and Career as a Linguist

Fula’s mastery of languages was central to his career. For many years, he served as a court interpreter in Johannesburg, working in a multilingual environment that sharpened his cultural awareness and narrative skills. His linguistic ability not only gave him professional credibility but also positioned him to bridge cultural divides in his literary work.

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Literary Career and Major Works

Although Fula wrote poetry—some of which appeared in journals and anthologies—his reputation rests primarily on two novels:

1. Jôhannie giet die beeld (Johannesburg Molds and Shapes) (1954)

   • A classic example of the “Jim Goes to Jo’burg” narrative, a genre that follows the journey of a rural youth who moves to Johannesburg in search of wealth and opportunity, only to face moral and social corruption. This storyline reflected the real-life disillusionment of many black South Africans who migrated to cities during the mid-20th century.

2. Met Erbarming, O Here (With Pleasure, Dear Sir) (1956)

   • A work of realism, this novel paints an unflinching portrait of the urban poor, detailing the harsh social and spiritual conditions under which they lived and labored. Through authentic dialogue and vivid settings, Fula captured the daily struggles of Johannesburg’s marginalized residents, offering a humanizing counter-narrative to the dehumanizing stereotypes of the time.

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Style and Thematic Concerns

Fula’s writing combined realist storytelling with a deep moral sensitivity. His works often addressed:

• The corrupting influence of urban life on rural migrants.
• The resilience and dignity of the poor amidst systemic injustice.
• The moral and spiritual toll of social inequality.

By writing in Afrikaans, Fula challenged prevailing literary and cultural norms, forcing Afrikaans-speaking audiences to confront narratives of black experience that were often excluded from the national conversation.

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Significance in South African Literature

Arthur Nuthall Fula’s career defied expectations in multiple ways:

• He appropriated the language of the oppressor to tell stories of the oppressed, subverting its political connotations.
• He provided authentic representations of black urban life in a literary tradition that often erased or distorted such experiences.
• He demonstrated that linguistic mastery could be a form of cultural resistance, expanding the possibilities for African literature in Afrikaans.

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Legacy

Although not as widely recognized as some of his contemporaries, Fula remains an important figure in the intersection of African and Afrikaans literature. His novels continue to serve as valuable historical and cultural documents, offering insight into the complexities of black life in mid-20th-century Johannesburg.

By daring to write in Afrikaans and infusing the language with the lived realities of black South Africans, Arthur Nuthall Fula left behind a literary legacy that is both unconventional and deeply significant.