George Pemba

(1912 -2001) George Mnyaluza Pemba (also documented as Mnyala, Milwa),South African artist and playwright. He was born on 2 April 1912 in Hillskraal, Korsten Village, Port Elizabeth and died in 2001. Trained as a teacher at Lovedale Teacher's Training College and taught for 7 years.

Career as a painter

Having received rudimentary training as painter from his brother, he later received several bursaries, and also did a short external course in art at Rhodes University in 1937. His work gradually gained popularity, and he went on to exhibit from 1928-1987, managing to make a good living out of his art and a spaza shop he and his wife ran. He won various awards, received a number of commissions, and honorary degrees from the Universities of Fort Hare, Zululand and Bophuthatswana.

As writer and playwright

Pemba was also a good writer and wrote at least two plays which were performed, one of them being the well-known Nonqause. He later produced paintings to illustrate the play.

Sources

Sack, S. (1988). The Neglected Tradition, Johannesburg: Johannesburg Art Gallery

SAHO Milwa Mnyaluza "George" Pemba[1]

George Pemba in Sunday Times Heritage Project [2]

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