correspondence obtained from other publications and editorials and commentaries on their editorial page. The newspaper reported on matters of interest such as assaults committed by white miners against black labourers. The newspaper enjoyed watchdog status. The newspaper expressed modest views as is exemplified by their opposition to strikes. After Sol Plaatje became the first General Secretary of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC), later African National Congress, the newspaper was increasingly viewed as an organ of the party by its readers. The newspaper contains records of the early meetings of the African National Congress. Late History Tsala ea Becauna was renamed Tsala ea Batho (“Friend of the People”) in April 1913. The name change reflected a growing national awareness and a shift from tribe to nation. The publication struggled to stay open despite a circulation reportedly in the thousands and consistent advertising. Another contributing factor was that Plaatje left for Britain in May 1914, on the brink of World War I, as a member of the SANNC deputation protesting the Natives’ Land Act, and Tsala ea Batho came to an end during the prolonged time he was forced to spend overseas. The English-Setswana weekly, Tsala ea Becauna, was one of the organs of black political news and opinion for the turbulent period of its existence. See also Xhosa language newspapers Tswana language References Defunct newspapers published in South Africa newspapers Newspapers established in 1910 Publications disestablished in 1915