The Kenyan writer is dead but his story will live on, the story of the colonialism and the betrayal of postcolonial elites and how to survive
Harper’s colleague and friend Niren Tolsi remembers the inimitable, eccentric, principled and much-loved storyteller
Paddy cared deeply about underdogs, and journalistic excellence was intertwined with his extensive community networks
Ramaphosa extended his condolences to Mboweni’s family and friends, calling the news “a shock”
The poet wrote about racism, oppression, ageing and hope with
a trademark humility
Not only was he world renowned for his powerful images, he also used his talent to fight apartheid, at great personal cost
Award-winning singer-songwriter Zahara, who died this week at the age of 35, leaves behind a strong portfolio of music
The worthy elder statesman followed Kaunda’s example, putting democracy first and conceding defeat if necessary, and was instrumental in brokering peaceful power transfer in 2021
The untimely passing of Kuli Roberts, gossip columnist du jour of post-apartheid’s Gilded Age, shocked the nation. Bongani Madondo, who first encountered her earlier in her career, looks beyond the red carpets and banana skins
Lebo Malepa built his backpacking operation from the ground up, but shared his success with his neighbours
He made a career of fighting war crimes and crimes against humanity and ended it as lead investigator for the Zondo commission
David Lacey, who died earlier this month at age 83, leaves an imposing legacy: his writing is the standard by which every football journalist will forever be judged
The distinctive quality of Theuns Jordaan’s voice meant he became a standard part of the South African music landscape, particularly the Afrikaans market
Very little is known of the late guitarist, who was a keeper of a stark and foreboding maskandi sound
Siya is an immeasurable loss to South Africa’s media landscape, but he will be best remembered for his countless acts of kindness
When news of the passing of one of SA’s most iconic musicians broke, Bongani Madondo revisited his songbook and located him in the global pantheon of the greatest vocalists, ever
Zambia’s founding father left a lasting legacy
The businessman, who died suddenly this week, leaves a long legacy of highly successful ventures
The trombonist’s music-making was inextricably tied up with South Africa’s struggle for freedom
Mpumie Moholo (1947-2021), who passed this week, was the engine driving the success of her husband, jazz drummer Louis Moholo-Moholo
A builder of networks and a tactical freedom fighter, Violet Molebatsi Gwangwa nurtured not only the liberation movement, but also the creative spirit within her family
Stephen Gray made an immense, long contribution to the South African literary landscape across many genres, but it was poetry that he described as ‘the main activity of my life’
Poet and activist Myesha Jenkins (1948-2020) took her craft, including her teaching, extremely seriously
‘Drum’ photographer Jürgen Schadenberg, who died on Sunday, displayed a profound humanism, writes his friend and sometime collaborator Hazel Friedman
The renowned South African photographer understood how to look for the tucked-away spaces that were the sources of both light and dark
The highest honour that can be paid to Credo Mutwa is familiarising oneself with his output
From Uyinene Mrwetyana, Oliver Mtukudzi to Xolani Gwala, Mail & Guardian remembers those who have passed on
Binyavanga Wainaina was an exceptional writer, activist and human being
Matthew Buckland, 1974-2019
Samir Amin was a fearless scholar whose ideas will long outlive him
David Goldblatt has left South African documentary photography incalculably richer, writes Niren Tolsi
His sharp and progressive pen‚ he contributed in cutting open the oppressive blanket of the apartheid system to keep the liberation spirit burning.