The Special Collections Book of the Week this week is:

My chief and I, or, Six months in Natal after the Langalibalele outbreak by Atherton Wylde (Frances Ellen Colenso).

Under the fictitious guise of a young soldier, Frances Colenso gives an account of six month's life and experience with Lt Colonel Anthony Durnford, who was to lose his life at Isandlwana in 1879. The writer was evidently an enthusiastic admirer of the gallant soldier. Lt Colonel Durnford was stationed at Pietermaritzburg in 1873 where he was befriended by Colenso’s father. Durnford and Frances Colenso maintained a close friendship.

UPSpace Access: hdl.handle.net/2263/44995

This book is available at Special Collections, housed on level 5 of the Merensky 2 Library, and is part of our Africana (ZA) Collection.

The Special Collections unit of the Department of Library Services plays a stewardship role in the acquisition and preservation of the Library's rare and valuable information resources, making them accessible to students, staff and researchers, as well as safeguarding them for future generations.