Interview 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 MoreBe ‘Witness’!
The Witness, a Kwa-Zulu Natal publication owned by Naspers very naughtily, used my Muslim Marriage Bill column without first seeking permission from me, or The Daily Maverick. The column has certainly been the most successful of my columns so far- I’m told it’s been doing the rounds among the ‘FWD’ brigade. I went viral baby. Okay, not quite, but placate me here. You can be be witness to my column in Kwa Zulu Natal daily, here.
Read MoreOn freedom, Lara Logan and working in a man’s world
My first outing for the Daily Maverick- - Conflict journalism is never easy. The hardships male reporters experience pale against those, both tacit and blatant, that women have to face. The horrific sexual attack on CBS reporter Lara Logan at the height of jubilation in Cairo’s Tahrir Square has focused the spotlight on women journalists simply trying to do their jobs. Back when I was a goggle-eyed 13 year old who fancied herself as a latter-day Elizabeth Bennett with a predilection for cricket, my English teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. “A journalist,” I replied...
Read MoreOn Egypt, bread and South Africa
I’ve got a new post on the Mail and Guardian’s Thought Leader platform which you can read here. The article was also posted in a guest slot at the Christian Science Monitor.
Read MoreAssange’s just another Zulu on the stoop
Amid some noises about Julian Assange, Jazob Zuma and James Bond, I’ve written my first article for Thought Leader. Julian Assange may well be a real life James Bond. His hair certainly fits the part, and his swagger is telling of a man with a penchant for the virtuously shaken and virulently stirred could ever dare. But it’s his decidedly Jacob Zuma air that is most striking. Yes, you read right. Take away the hair and the skin pigment and Julian Assange is to the rest of the world what Jacob Zuma was to South Africa five years ago. Like our good president once was, Assange’s...
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