The Nigerian dictatorship killed Ken Saro-Wiwa ensuring his lasting fame, as several new books show Chris Dunton Together with eight other activists campaigning for the economic and environmental rights of the Ogoni people, Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed by the Nigerian government on November 10 1995. Before his death he was already a prominent figure: a […]

Sipho Seepe no blows barred In 1993 Donaldo Macedo, a scholar and follower of the Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, coined the phrase “literacy for stupidification” to describe the inability of many Americans to read the word and the world critically. This incapacity makes people susceptible to political manipulation through big lies. No amount of evidence […]

Deon Potgieter boxing Namibia’s biggest sporting export so far this new millennium, Harry “The Terminator” Simon, could be in for a rough time on Saturday night. Simon, the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) junior-middleweight world champion, makes the fourth defence of his title in Britain. He was to have faced Daniel Santos, the WBO welterweight world […]

Edward Helmore Her mother is a famous photographer and her father, a former Black Panther, was a convicted murderer. She’s precociously bright, unfailingly sensitive … and nine years old. Sahara Sunday Spain is the United States publishing industry’s latest sensation. As her first book of poems went on sale last week, the New York Times […]

Although several first division referees were suspended after a disciplinary hearing into match-fixing this week, not all the men in the middle deserve the abuse directed at them Andrew Muchineripi Just when the Castle Premiership was bursting into life with the prospect of a thrilling finish to the title race, a new menace has emerged […]

Catherine Woeber the coyaba chronicles: reflections on the black experience in the 20th century by Peter Abrahams (David Philip) Coyaba is the name the writer Peter Abrahams gave to his home in the hills above Kingston, Jamaica, in which he settled with his wife Daphne in 1956. It signifies a place of refuge and tranquillity, […]

The Forum for Debating Aids in South Africa responds to ‘All the president’s scientists diary of a round-earther’ On September 8 2000 the Mail & Guardian published an article entitled, “All the president’s scientists diary of a round-earther”. On December 14 2000 the Appeal Panel of the Press Ombudsman decided in favour of a complaint […]

The trial of one-man entertainment empire Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs began last month. Gary Younge on the case that will bitterly divide America whatever the verdict Take one African-American star with crossover appeal, add mixed-race relationship and heat until steaming. When simmering, place in a city with a recent, well-publicised history of racist policing. Bring to […]

Michael Johnson, the greatest athlete of his era, is about to retire. In a rare interview, he talks about his rivals (or the lack of them), relaxing (he can’t), and the one race he’d like to be able to run again Laura Thompson So what does the world think of Michael Johnson? That he is […]

Cedric Mayson Spirit Level Let us hope we hear plenty about sex from our pulpits this weekend. Next week is National Sexually Transmitted Disease and Condom Week, and understanding about controlling sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and HIV/Aids is needed in every sector of society. Many of our friends are HIV-positive and we may be ourselves. […]