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, CM Doke and BW 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 twentieth 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 was added in 1990. Written by Prof. J Khumalo, it provides an update to the phonological tone markings originally indicated by Vilakazi.