The first the English and Zulu Dictionary dictionary was published in 1958 by Wits Unviersity Press and compiled by C.M. Doke and B.W. Vilakazi, intended as a companion to the Zulu-English Dictionary compiled by Doke and Vilakazi (first published 1948 by Wits University Press). The first combined edition with English-isiZulu / isiZulu-English was published in 1990 and remains the definitive authority. A vised isiZulu orthography is introduced in this Fourth Edition in line with the approved PanSALB (2008) orthography revisions undertaken under the auspices and control of the Wits Language Centre, Johannesburg.

This unique book is arranged in three columns: English, Zulu, and how to pronounce the Zulu words phonetically. This dictionary and phrasebook will serve as a helpful working tool in the classroom, at home, or for businesses and tourists to South Africa. The more you know, the more you grow. So let’s all grow together. Simunye.

This is the original and first Zulu-English dictionary to be developed in South Africa. The originators of the dictionary were all leading academics and writers. The development of the Zulu-English dictionary was begun in the 1940s by Wits University lecturers, C. M. Doke and B. W. Vilakazi. Vilakazi, who died in 1947, was the first published Zulu poet and his collection, Amal'eZulu, is listed in the Top 100 African Books of the 20th century. The English-Zulu dictionary was published in 1958 by Doke, Malcolm, and Sikakana. The first combined edition of the two dictionaries (i.e. the present format) was published in 1990. The English-Zulu / Zulu English Dictionary is still the definitive dictionary in these languages. Various revisions have been undertaken over the years to bring the orthography up to date. A new preface, written by Professor J. Khumalo, was added in 1990 and provides an update to the phonological tone markings originally indicated by Vilakazi.

Between 1838 and 1888 the recently formed Zulu kingdom in southeastern Africa was directly challenged by the incursion of Boer pioneers aggressively seeking new lands on which to set up their independent republics, by English-speaking traders and hunters establishing their neighboring colony, and by imperial Britain intervening in Zulu affairs to safeguard Britain's position as the paramount power in southern Africa. As a result, the Zulu fought to resist Boer invasion in 1838 and British invasion in 1879. The internal strains these wars caused to the fabric of Zulu society resulted in civil wars in 1840, 1856, and 1882-1884, and Zululand itself was repeatedly partitioned between the Boers and British. In 1888, the old order in Zululand attempted a final, unsuccessful uprising against recently imposed British rule. This tangled web of invasions, civil wars, and rebellion is complex. The Historical Dictionary of the Zulu Wars unravels and elucidates Zulu history during the 50 years between the initial settler threat to the kingdom and its final dismemberment and absorption into the colonial order. A chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, maps, photos, and over 900 cross-referenced dictionary entries that cover the military, politics, society, economics, culture, and key players during the Zulu Wars make this an important reference for everyone from high school students to academics.