This paper explains the reasons for social and material transfer of cultural aspects of the source text The Prisoner of Zenda into the target text Umbanjwa waseZenda. The descriptive translation studies paradigm serves as framework for the analysis: the narrative revolves around a royal family and the issue of royalty is regarded as a matter of import in both English and Xhosa. The cultural aspects, such as royal customs in England are therefore transferred to the target text. The main aim of transference of such source cultural aspects was to enrich the receiving culture. Thus translation contributed to the development of the Xhosa language and literature as the translations were used as prescribed material in schools.