Taking on ‘Gareth Cliff on Everything’
I participated in a "blog tour" of Gareth Cliff's first attempt at a book . Kudos to the good people at Thought Leader for hosting the first pitstop on the tour.
Read MoreInterview with Andile Mngxitama
Like Che Guevera, Steve Biko is the poster child for revolution. His face adorns the T-shirts and posters of a generation who may know nothing of his teachings except that his is a face with some erstwhile significance. Thirty-four years after his death, Steve Biko is an icon but he is also a lot more than a trifling symbol of an ancient idea. I spoke to Steve Biko scholar, black consciousness thinker and organiser, co-editor of “Biko Lives!” and publisher of the journal “New Frank Talk”, Andile Mngxitama about the legacy of Steve Biko, the remaining vestiges of white privilege, the hate speech ruling against Julius Malema and most intriguingly, how often he combs his hair.
Read MoreHow Much Freedom Do You Have?
A blog post for the fabulous people at The Chirp Room - January 2010- Growing up in post Apartheid South Africa I was taught to revere freedom. Like candy to the urchin freedom was the gift I excitedly cupped my hands in anticipation of but instead of the clamour of coins falling into my waiting palms, I was bewildered. I smiled my thanks and held on tightly certain only of its fragility. What did it mean to be free? The horrors of Apartheid were too far removed from me, its legacy was palpable, yes, but its essence was too far removed, too deeply buried for me to identify against. The...
Read MoreDigital tongues: Africans in conversation 2
The second part of the conversation on identity and Africans.
Read MoreDigital tongues: Africans in conversation 1
The brilliant Tendai Marima roped me into a fascinating conversation on identity, Africa and the curious space of Africans in the contemporary.
Read MoreOn Nationalisation for the Christian Science Monitor
From the moment that African National Congress Youth League leader Julius Malema uttered the word “nationalization,” South Africa’s media and business community have spoken of little else. The reaction has been swift and negative, with dire warnings that any attempt to wrest ownership of South Africa’s rich mineral resources away from its powerful mining houses would be the beginning of the end for foreign investment and for the South African economy in general. Mr. Malema didn’t stop at mines, of course, but also spelt out his vision for a radical economic transformation that...
Read More