Plagiarism Controversy in South Africa

When I was most recently back in South Africa, William Gumede's Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC was the talk of the country's literati and intelligentsia. It topped the bestseller lists. Government officials, academics, journalists, students, and the educated reading public made sure to get their copy. Gumede's critical exploration of Mbeki was as hot as any work of nonfiction in recent years.

Suddenly Gumede finds himself under fire on allegations that portions of his book may be plagiarised.

Gumede said he acknowledged the use of an “indirect referencing” system in his book, often, for instance, referring the reader to other sources and documents of his own that contained the relevant references, rather than to the primary sources.

Several of Gumede's passages share too-striking a resemblance to the work of other writer, including that of the journalist Charlene Smith and the respected writer Mark Gevisser. Examples, from the Mail & Guardian:

“A reading of Mandela’s speeches and interviews shows he has consistently upbraided white SA. But because he has a ponderous speaking style, his warnings are often missed, or are softened because of his smiles and hugs.” -- Charlene Smith, Saturday Star, June 20 1998

“Mandela often upbraided white South Africans, but his rebukes were softened with broad smiles and warm hugs.” -- William Gumede, Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC

Mark Gevisser vs William Gumede
“Govan Mbeki’s family were Mfengu people (‘Fingos’), early converts to Christianity who benefited through their alliances with the British in the Eastern Cape. They were the avatars of Cape liberal capitalism, known by white traders as ‘The Jews of Kaffirland’, for they were educated, aggressive and unhampered by the feudal restrictions imposed by traditional hierarchies. They thrived -- and soon became the enfranchised elite of the region: the first Africans there to ride horses, to farm commercially, to build four-walled houses; teachers, preachers and clerks.

“Epainette’s family, the Moeranes, are Basotho members of the elite Bafokeng clan and come from a similar background.” -- Mark Gevisser, Sunday Times, May 16 1999

“Govan’s people were Mfengu, or Fingoes, early converts to Christianity, well educated and affluent. White traders called them ‘the Jews of Kaffirland’, and they produced many of the region’s elite -- teachers, preachers, shopkeepers and public servants. “Epainettes’s family, the Moeranes, are from the equally elite Bafokeng clan and of similar background.” -- William Gumede, Thabo Mbeki and the Battle for the Soul of the ANC

.
Gumede's publisher, Zebra Books, has responded. Marlene Fryer, Zebra's publisher, has responded to the allagations: “We absolutely condemn plagiarism as well as copyright violation, and do not regard William as guilty of either.” For his part, Gevisser says, “Gumede’s book is an important book but, based on the evidence I have seen, it is clear that his sources have not always been properly acknowledged. I was glad to read in the Sunday Times article that his publishers are planning to correct the problems in the new edition of the book.”

It is too early to tell if Gumede has made honest mistakes of attribution or if the book contains widespread plagiarism. I'm sure that this case will follow the path of so many before it -- if the use of others' words is rampant, someone will have the details for us soon enough.