Degrees Held
University of Zululand | Secondary Teacher’s Diploma | 1981 | Education |
University of Zululand | B. Paed (with majors – English, Zulu Pedagogics) | 1983 | Education |
University of Natal (Durban) | BA Hons | 1990 | Language and linguistics |
University of Natal (Durban) | MA | 1995 | Language and linguistics |
University of Natal (Durban) | PhD | 2002 | Literature |
Research Interests
- Literature (traditional and modern)
- Lexicology (Lexicography, lexicalization)
- Lexical and Grammatical structures
- Sociolinguistics (variationist theories)
- Semantics
Teaching Interests
- Lexical and Grammatical structures
- Poetry
- Morpho-syntax
- Syntax and Semantics
- Morpho-phonological processes
Research Record / Selected Publications
Chapters In Books
Journal Articles
Chapters In Books
- Nhlanhla Mathonsi and Ernestina M. Rapeane-Mathonsi Lexicalisation on a south-eastern Bantu language. In Juliet Ramohai, Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi, Sam Erevbenagie Usadolo, Siphephelo Siyabonga Mdluli (Eds.): Teaching, Learning, Language, and Community Development in Higher Education: Bridging Knowledge and Society: Macmillan, Switzerland
- Nhlanhla Mathonsi Zulu (S42). In book: The Oxford Guide to the Bantu Languages, pp.1014-1023: Oxford Press.
- Rapeane-Mathonsi, M. & Mathonsi, N. Vowel-Vowel and Vowel-Glide- Vowel Variation in Sesotho. In Recent Developments in African Linguistics and Literature: A Florilegium for Francina Moloi, edited by B. Ekanjume-Ilongo, A. Hala-Hala and C. Dunton (David Publishing).
- Mathonsi, N. and Mazibuko, G. 2011. Zulu Literature: New beginnings. In Chapman, M. & Lenta, M. (eds). South African Literature beyond 2000. Pietermaritzburg: University of KwaZulu-Natal Press.
- Mathonsi, N. A headword identification problem of nouns in Zulu dictionaries. In Legère,K. and Thornell, C. (eds.). Bantu Languages: Analyses, Description and Theory. Cologne: Rüdiger Köppe.
Journal Articles
- Nhlanhla Mathonsi and Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi 2024. Revisiting Zulu noun classes: A lexicalist approach. SAJAL, Volume 43 (Supplement): 327-333.
- Maleshoane Rapeane-Mathonsi & Nhlanhla Mathonsi Questioning the orthographic inconsistencies of some Zulu toponyms. Nomina Africana, Volume 36, Number 1: Open Access, 1 Aug 2022 https://doi.org/10.2989/NA.2022.36.1.3.1363https://hdl.handle.net/10520/ejc-nomina_v36_n1_a3.
- Maimane, K.C. and Mathonsi, N.N. Echoes of Lithoko in modern Sesotho poetry: An intertextual perspective, Literator, Volume 42, number 1: online.
- Henry Gumede, Nhlanhla Mathonsi Double standards on dress code and lust in the guise of tradition in the novel Umshado [Marriage], 2006, by N. Zulu: A feminist approach. Literator, 40(1): 1-8.
- HS Gumede and NN Mathonsi 2019. Feminist discourse analysis of the image of the “liberated” woman in Umshado (Marriage) by N. Zulu. Current Writing: Text analysis in Southern Africa, 31(1): 11-20.
- Maimane, K.C. and Mathonsi, N. 2017. Phonological adaptations of foreign names into Sesotho: anthroponyms and toponyms. Nomina Africana. 31(2): 183–190.
- Maimane K.C. and Mathonsi, N. 2016. To be or not to be, that is the question: The Case of Lithoko vs Praise Poetry. SAFOS. 26(2): 12-23.
- Mathonsi, N., Naidoo, S. and Ndlovu, T.C.D. 2016. Voices from KwaNyuswa: A feminist perspective on the mourning cultural practice. Indilinga.15(1):153-166.
- Mathonsi, N. and Mpungose, Z. 2015. Perceived gender inequality reflected in Zulu proverbs: A feminist approach. SAFOS. 25(2): 30-42.
- Mathonsi, N. and Rapeane-Mathonsi, M. 2013. The use of names in Ngubane’s Uvalo Lwezinhlonzi. Nomina Africana. 27(2): 81-94.
- Mathonsi, N. and Naidoo, S. 2012. Imbrication triggered by the suffix-ile in isiZulu. SAJAL. 32(2): 167-174.
- Mathonsi, N. and Rapeane-Mathonsi, M. 2011. Affixal naming in Sesotho and isiZulu marriages. Nomina Africana. 25(1&2): 155-173.
- Mathonsi, N. Zulu language and communication: the core Zulu concepts from an integrationalist perspective. In Cognitive studies of language, linguistic cognition. Viii (8): 170.
- Mathonsi, N. and Mazibuko, G. 2011. Zulu Literature: New beginnings. In Chapman, M. & Lenta, M. (eds). Current writing
- Mathonsi, N. A headword identification problem of nouns in Zulu dictionaries. In Legère,K. and Thornell, C. (eds.). Bantu Languages: Analyses, Description and Theory. Cologne: Rüdiger Köppe.
- Mathonsi, N. Semantic variation and the notion of polysemy in Zulu. SAJAL. 29(1): 87-95.
- Mathonsi, N. and Canonici, N. 2009. Searching for the thematic element in a literary work. 29(2): 109-120.
- Mathonsi, N. 2006. Unpacking ‘imbokodo’. 16(2): 35-45.
- Mathonsi, N. and Gumede, N. 2006. Communicating through performance: Izigiyo zawomame as gendered protest texts. SALAALS. 24(4): 483-494.
- Mathonsi, N. Tragic undertones in Elliot Zondi’s Ukufa KukaShaka (The death of Shaka-1960). SAJAL. 26(2): 90-97.
- Mathonsi, N. 2005. Status of creative writing in African languages during the apartheid era and possibilities for the future. INGEDE. 1(3).
- Mathonsi, N. 2005. A socially committed literary work: Perspectives on Elliot Zondi’s Insumansumane. LITERATOR. 26(3).
Teaching Expertise
- 30 Years
Student Supervision
Masters
PhD
Masters
- Master of Social Science (IsiZulu Studies) thesis –Ms CD Ndlovu. Thesis title: The mourning cultural practices amongst the Zulu-speaking widows of KwaNyuswa community: a feminist perspective (2013)
- Master of Social Science (IsiZulu Studies) thesis –Mr ML Langa. Thesis title: Some gendered practices in Zulu: a feminist perspective (2012)
- Master of Social Science (IsiZulu Studies) thesis –Mr Z. Mpungose. Thesis title: Perceived Gender Inequality Reflected in Zulu Proverbs: A Feminist Approach (2010)
- Master of Social Science (Gender Studies) thesis –N.P. Hlophe. Thesis title: The extended family’s power structure: A case study of relations between mothers-in- law in KwaMashu Township. (2005)
- Master of Arts in literature thesis by S. Mathonsi. Thesis title: A committed social Culture as found in Elliot Zondi’s. I (2003)
PhD
- PhD (IsiZulu Studies) -Mr S.H. Gumede. Thesis title: The feminist discourse analysis in six Zulu texts; with special reference to three novels and three drama works (2018).
- PhD (African languages) –Mr KC Maimane Thesis title: Confluences of Lithoko, religious cultures and Western poetry in modern Sesotho poetry (MSP): An intertextual perspective. (2015).