When Herbert Isaac Ernest Dhlomo, commonly known as H.I.E. Dhlomo, died during a heart operation on October 23, 1956, the South African literary firmament lost one of its brightest stars. He was only 53 and seemed to have the whole world at his feet.
A true man of letters, Dhlomo was one of the foremost dramatists of his day. He also wrote poetry, short stories and essays. He was a teacher, librarian, journalist, politician, actor, and violinist.
Dhlomo was born on February 26, 1903, at Siyamu, Edendale. From 1922 to 1924, he studied at the Amanzimtoti Training Institute (renamed Adams College) in southern KwaZulu-Natal. A product of the American Board Mission School, he excelled at English, both spoken and written.
