JJ Thwala

Jozi Joseph Thwala (22 April 1959 – 12 September 2021), also known as JJ Thwala, was a South African academic, author and linguist who made significant contributions to the development of the SiSwati language and literature.^[1]

Thwala was born in 1959 in Mpumalanga, South Africa.^[1] He studied at the University of Venda, where he specialized in African languages, focusing particularly on the development and preservation of SiSwati.^[2]

He was a prolific writer and researcher who authored several books and scholarly articles in SiSwati and about SiSwati culture. He also published widely on anthroponymy, clan names and praises, and oral literature.

He held a senior academic position in the Department of African Languages at the University of Venda.^[2]

Thwala died of natural causes on 12 September 2021 at the age of 62.^[1] He was remembered by peers and students as a passionate educator, cultural preservationist, and literary figure.^[3] His works continue to influence studies in SiSwati linguistics, African literature, and cultural identity.

• Kwasibekela emafu. South Africa: Shuter & Shooter (Pty) Ltd. 1987. ISBN 978-0-86985-985-8.
• Lilumbo lidla umninilo. South Africa: Van Schaik. 1987. ISBN 0627014909.
• Imilibo (in Zulu). Maskew Miller Longman. 1995.
• Umkhunsu. Aktua Press. 2008.
• Insakavukela. South Africa: Vivlia Publishers & Booksellers. 1991. ISBN 978-1-874868-10-1.
• Kwahlwa Emini (in Swati). South Africa: Vivlia Publishers & Booksellers. 1992. ISBN 978-1-874868-16-3.
• Emakhowa. South Africa.
• Emakhowa 3 (in Swati). South Africa.
• My First Multilingual Dictionary for Southern Africa with Siswati, Xhosa and Zulu Words. South Africa.
• Amaqhabanga (in Zulu). South Africa.

• Thwala, Jozi Joseph, An Examination of Clan Names and Clan Praises as Anthroponymic Domains in Swati Culture
• Thwala, Jozi Joseph; Mthethwa, Nandi Cedrol; Lusenga, Nkosinathi Macdonald (2018). "An Exploration of Two Selected Themes: History and Education in Christian Themba Msimang's Poetry". International Journal of Information Technology and Language Studies. 2 (3). ISSN 2521-8727.
• Thwala, J. J. (2018). "An Investigation of Poetic Techniques from Stanzaic Forms to Fourteen-line Narratives in IsiZulu Poetry". Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences.
• Thwala, Jozi Joseph; Mthethwa, Nandi Cedrol; Lusenga, Nkosinathi Macdonald (2018). "An Analytic Study of three Rhetorical Devices: Metaphor, Simile and Antithesis in Siswati Proverbs". International Journal of Information Technology and Language Studies. 2 (3). ISSN 2521-8727.
• Thwala, Jozi Joseph (2019). "An analysis of implicit and explicit imagery in selected Swazi clan praises: an anthroponymic approach". International Journal of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences Studies.
• Thwala, Jozi Joseph (2019-11-02). "The Employment of Metaphor and Simile in Selected Siswati Poetry". IRA International Journal of Education and Multidisciplinary Studies. 15 (5): 181–190. doi:10.21013/jems.v15.n5.p4. ISSN 2455-2526.
• Thwala, Jozi Joseph (2021). "Study on Implementation of Subject Policy as a Key to Effective Teaching and Learning of Siswati Language". Modern Perspectives in Language, Literature and Education. Book Publisher International. ISBN 978-93-5547-505-3. Retrieved 22 July 2025.

• SiSwati language
• J.J. Ncongwane
• African linguistics
• South African literature