Through a strange combination of events, Gumede and Martin Luthuli befriended Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, the young Zulu king.
His testimony before the South African Native Affairs, the so-called Lagden Commission of 1904 revealed his admiration of Zulu culture.
[2] The other person noted as having the Tlokwa's interests placed in his hands was Dr. Evans Darby, the secretary of the League of Universal Brotherhood (LUB) South Africa 12 January 1907, p. 122.
On his return with the Tlokwa and Kgolokwe chiefs to South Africa on 13 May 1907, Josiah was arrested for having left the country without obtaining the necessary permission.
In 1913 he voiced his criticism of the historic Native Land Act, which effectively limited Africans' access to only 7% of the country.