Sad passing of AZW Historian

Jeff Guy the noted AZW Historian passed away on monday
night whilst leaving the UK. he was 74 and is believed to
have suffered a heart attack..god rest him.. xhosa

Anglo-Zulu War expert Ian Knight paid glowing tribute to Guy after the publication of his book Theophilus Shepstone and the Forging of Natal: “Professor Jeff Guy is a towering figure in the field of Zulu historical studies, and his previous works — including The Destruction of the Zulu Kingdom — largely redefined the historiography of the period.”
Guy was well-known for a series of works including The Destruction of the Zulu Kingdom; a biography of Bishop John Colenso — the first bishop of Natal and struggle icon —The Heretic; another featuring the indomitable Harriette Colenso, The View Across the River; and two books dealing with the 1906 Bambatha rebellion: The Maphumulo Uprising and Remembering the Rebellion.
Guy, who had an in-depth knowledge of Bishop Colenso, had been asked to give a lecture at the St John’s College in Cambridge. Before his return flight to South Africa, he collapsed and attempts to revive him failed.
Former Witness feature writer Stephen Coan, who worked closely with Guy and recently wrote a feature on his book Theophilus Shepstone, echoed those who called Guy being one of KZN’s leading historians.
“He spoke Zulu, and was on speaking terms with King Goodwill Zwelithini. He was widely regarded as a top grade academic,” Coan said.
Researcher at the local history museum in Durban, Steve Kotze, who was taught by Guy and later became a friend, said that he had left an invaluable contribution behind in his work.
“He was a great teacher and I was very fortunate to have been taught by him. What made him different is that he found a way to bring out the voices never before heard in KwaZulu-Natal history. He was able to draw out politics, power and race which impacted on Zulu history. He made the voices of African leaders heard,” he said.
Kotze said he was a teaching assistant at the time Guy was a professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s history department.
“I was just one of many people that was able to gain knowledge and be inspired by him,” Kotze said.
Guy’s ex-wife and good friend, Naimi Guy, remembered him as being a great person who always had a story to tell.
“His work was his life. He was continuously working 24 hours a day. He was a very fun person and he always had good stories to tell. He was a great talker and lecturer. Even though we separated some time ago, we still remained good friends and in contact,” she said.
Naimi was the person contacted shortly after Guy’s death and was still waiting to hear the cause of death from UK authorities.

That's so sad. RIP Jeff

Yes, RIP. Not that I knew him but he did first rate research from what I can tell by reading his work. A good way for forum members to honor him would be to read his books on the AZW period; particularly on the Colensos, who are an interesting brood to begin with...

"Jeff Guy is a professor of history and a research fellow at the Campbell Collections of the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa. Guy has published widely on South African history, focusing on the history of British colonialism and its effects on South Africa and particularly on what is today KwaZulu-Natal province. Guy's many books include The Destruction of the Zulu Kingdom: The Civil War, 1879-1884 (University of Natal Press, 1994), The Maphumulo Uprising: War, Law and Ritual in the Zulu Rebellion (University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, 2005), and most recently Remembering the Rebellion: The Zulu Uprising of 1906 (University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, 2007)"

He was attending and was a guest speaker at the
Colenso conference that John Young had highlighted
on this forum only two weeks ago, he became un-
well and died on his way home from that conference.
his latest work was Theophilus Shepstone and the Forging
0f Natal, a portion of which i only posted today on another
subject..

Another one, that queue is getting shorter by the day

I dont have any of Jeff Guy's books , but those that do , have a high regard for his work
90th

I have many of Jeff's works on my AZW book  shelves and they pay a fine tribute to the contribution which Jeff made to Natal History.

RIP  emfundisi Makulu.

barry

"‘Professor Jeff Guy is a towering figure in the field of Zulu historical studies, and his previous works – including The Destruction of the Zulu Kingdom – largely redefined the historiography of the period.’
— Ian Knight, Anglo-Zulu War Research Society"

A great historian and a great man all round.
I enjoyed hearing him speak and attended the launch of his work on Shepstone two years ago at the Killie Campbell
His work on the Colenso's is superb.