Brief Overview and selected articles in celebration of the English Academy of Southern Africa’s Diamond Jubilee in 2021– by Professor Rosemary Gray (Managing Editor)
Launched in 1983 The English Academy Review replaced Annual Reviews (1974-82). It provided a critical forum for divergent views about aspects of English, citing luminaries like Guy Butler, Colin Gardner, Stephen Gray, Abraham Mawasha, Es’kia Mphalele, Peter Titlestad, Richard Rive, and Frances Olver. It included AD Donker Literary awards, Poetry, Tributes, and articles by Lionel Abrahams, Ahmed Essop, Stephen Gray, Es’kia Mphahlele, Don Mattera and Chris van Wyk. A highlight was its first accreditation by the Department of Education in 1986.
It took a quantum leap as one of the first journals in the T and F/Unisa Press stable in 2005. Our first international issue was EAR 23(1) 2006. A Board of Directors and International Advisory Committee were set up, and EAR has sported an eye-catching cover ever since. Inspired by Limpopo valley treasures of the 1930s from 1220–1300 AD, it depicts a mass of gold beads conveying legendary messages and revealing intricate patterning, epitomizing – as do the Contents – the best of southern Africa and its global affiliates.
A bumper 2011 Golden Jubilee issue showcased EASA’s Heritage certificate, a gallery of 15 former presidents, a message by the President, a Foreword by US scholar Helene Straus, and the best of 33 issues.
Mention of Michael Williams, Editor-in-Chief from 2009-2018, must be made. He not only helmed 18 issues, but enabled the journal to become a preferred platform for scholarly publications. Selection by Thomson Reuters followed in 2014, and by 2017, EAR was indexed by SCOPUS and ISBS.
On behalf of the English Academy, the current Editor, our International Board and Advisory Committee, I express my deep gratitude to T and F for helping the journal to grow and find its place in the global village of academia and, particularly, for joining hands to celebrate EASA’s 2021 Diamond Jubilee.
Edited by
Professor Rosemary Gray