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 my Alma Mater marching through Fordsburg in solidarity with Gaza
Learners and educators of Fordsburg’s Johannesburg Muslim School (JMS) held a march on Wednesday 23 Jan. 09 in solidarity with the people of Gaza against the recent Israeli incursion. Although a tentative cease fire has been reached in the Middle East with Israel withdrawing its troops from the Gaza strip on Tuesday, the principal of JMS, Mr Abdullah Sujee, stressed the significance of fostering solidarity with the plight of the Palestinian people. (Read more)
Read MoreMeeting Ebrahim Garda
Though much of my work at fordsburg.com was lost when the site was hacked, I’m pleased my profile on one of Fordsburg’s most colorful characters was salvaged, albeit in bits. You can read what’s left of it here.
Read MoreDoling out the Ramadan Delights – Fordsburg Style
One of the few surviving pieces of my work at fordsburg.com, a short description of the tail-end of Ramadaan days in Fordsburg. You can read it here.
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