R. L. Peteni

Randall Langa Peteni (6 December 1915 – 8 September 2000) was a Xhosa South African novelist and academic, and author of the novel Hill of Fools (Aba Kwazidenge), which was adapted for television by the SABC. The novel was Peteni's only novel.

Childhood Peteni was born in Zingcuka in the Qoboqobo district in the former Ciskei, on 6 December 1915.

Career Peteni graduated with majors in English and Social Anthropology at the University of Fort Hare. Peteni's granddaughter stated that he was friends with Nelson Mandela during this time, and lent Mandela a cap and gown to wear for his graduation.

He taught for a number of years in Heilbron before moving to the then Transvaal, where he became Supervisor of Schools in the Krugersdorp circuit. After experiencing persecution because of his ethnic background, he returned to the Eastern Cape and continued teaching.

He later obtained an honours degree through the University of South Africa (UNISA) and began lecturing English at the University of Fort Hare in 1969.