Walter Rubusana

Mpilo Walter Benson Rubusana (21 March 1858 – 19 April 1936) was the co-founder of the Xhosa language newspaper publication, Izwi Labantu,[1] funded by Cecil John Rhodes, and the first Black person to be elected to the Cape Council (Parliament) in 1909.

He was born on 21 March 1858 to Nomenti Rubusana in Mnandi, located in the district of Somerset East that formed part of the Cape Colony and given the name Mpilo.

[3] When he was born, it was during a very bad period for the Xhosa people as they had recently suffered defeat in the 8th Frontier War and because of Nongqawuse's prophecies.

He was noticed by Reverend Richard Birt, who had met him at the London Missionary School in Peelton, near King William’s Town.

When Rubusana completed his early education, he then went on to enrol at Lovedale College, a missionary school established and maintained by the Free Church of Scotland, situated close to the iThyume river.