Obituaries
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Edwin S Wilson
2012-02-09, Issue 569
A tribute
A tribute to the Hon Dudley J. Thompson, ambassador of Jamaica
P. J. Patterson
2012-01-26, Issue 567
Until his death on 20 January 2012, Dudley J. Thompson remained a revered leader of the Afro-American diaspora.
Unsung hero: Michael Kofi Ameko
Explo Nani-Kofi
2012-01-11, Issue 565
Michael Kofi Ameko, a close aide to Kwame Nkrumah, died just before Christmas at the age of 85. His life was one of public service to the cause of Ghana and Africa.
Remembering Martina
Marlene Martin
2011-12-15, Issue 563
Marlene Martin of the Campaign to End the Death Penalty honours Martina Correia, a determined fighter for her brother Troy Davis and for all the victims of America's death machine.
Communications scholar Alfred Opubor dies
ADEA Working Group
2011-12-08, Issue 562
Prof Opubor was one of the first generation of specialists in the field of communication as a behavioural science. His expertise was in communication theories and message systems and their applications in development.
Remembering Nigerian secessionist leader Ojukwu
Funmi Feyede-John
2011-12-08, Issue 562
Following the death of separatist leader Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Funmi Feyedi-John reflects both on his life and on the impact of Biafra's secession.
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu: ‘Focused, selfless, stellar’
1933-2011
Herbert Ekwe-Ekwe
2011-11-30, Issue 560
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, leader of the Biafran resistance to the Nigeria state’s genocide against the Igbo people, has passed away.
Dani Wadada Nabudere: A great son of Africa
1932-2011
Yash Tandon
2011-11-10, Issue 557
Dani Nabudere has passed on, and with him has passed a piece of Uganda, a piece of the continent, a part of humanity, writes Yash Tandon.
Dani Wadada Nabudere: ‘Keeper of Traditions’
1932-2011
Baba Buntu
2011-11-10, Issue 557
Dani Nabudere’s ‘undying commitment to practical Pan-Afrikanism on grassroot level leaves us all with an enormous challenge in continuing his legacy and insist that all his sacrifices and achievements must never be in vain,’ writes Baba Buntu.
Cynthia Salvadori, a tribute
Neera Kapur-Dromson
2011-07-07, Issue 538
Neera Kapur-Dromson pays tribute to Cynthia Salvadori, who wrote extensively about the peoples and culture of Kenya. 'Cynthia never got the full recognition that she deserved, yet she left us an invaluable legacy with treasures of well researched and documented works. We in Kenya remain indebted to her generosity,' she writes.
Two South African enemies die, alongside our right to water 


Patrick Bond
2011-07-06, Issue 538
cc CDE GlobalTwo deaths recently marked the South African political landscape - one of a well-known former government minister, the other of a community organiser. When it came to water, the two were on opposite sides of the political battle lines: Kader Asmal implemented a commericalised water policy while Thulisile Christina Manqele fought against that policy. Both leave a legacy, writes Patrick Bond.
Inquirer's 'heavy weight' Patrick K. Wrokpoh is dead
1973-2011
C. Winnie Saywah
2011-06-30, Issue 537
Patrick K. Wrokpoh, Liberian journalist and contributor to Pambazuka News, died last Friday following a brief illness. C. Winnie Saywah looks back on his career.
Death of a Panther
Remembering G
Seth Markle & Mejah Mbuya
2011-06-09, Issue 534
Former Black Panther Geronimo Ji-Jaga died in Arusha, Tanzania last Friday. ‘His death marks yet another loss of a committed social justice activist of an era that is gradually fading from our collective memory,’ write Seth Markle and Mejah Mbuya.
Saying good-bye to Gil Scott-Heron
1949–2011
Bill Fletcher, Jr
2011-06-09, Issue 534
Poet and singer Gil Scott-Heron’s ‘albums became part of my life and his songs and messages were part of the support system on which I and many other Black radicals came to depend,’ writes Bill Fletcher, Jr.
The Revolution STILL will not be televised
Keeping it Real
Larry Pinkney
2011-06-09, Issue 534
Politically conscious musician and poet Gil Scott Heron’s ‘physical body is gone from us now but his message is more relevant than ever. We everyday Black, White, Brown, Red, and Yellow people know only too well that the revolution still will not be televised-- "it will be live",’ writes Larry Pinkney.
In memory of Nontsikelelo 'Mama' Albertina Sisulu
Shaka Sisulu
2011-06-09, Issue 534
The death of Albertina Sisulu has been met with national mourning in South Africa. At age 92, Sisulu, an anti-apartheid struggle icon, had survived the darkest days of apartheid rule. She was banned for a continuous 18-year stretch by the apartheid regime and was separated from her husband, Walter Sisulu, for 25 years while he was in jail. In this article, Shaka Sisulu pays tribute to his 'Gogo'.
Abdias do Nascimento: In memoriam
1914-2011
Molefi Kete Asante
2011-06-02, Issue 532
‘Abdias do Nascimento defended the oppressed, advanced creativity, sought human community and made our lives better by his art, reason, emotion, and laughter,’ writes Molefi Kete Asante, in a homage to ‘this brother genius who has cherished our history and culture and who has made the life and struggle of the African Brazilian people his personal mission.’
Glenn Cowley: An appreciation of a South African publisher
Robert Molteno
2011-05-25, Issue 531
South African publisher Glenn Cowley, who ran the University of KwaZulu-Natal Press in the period 1998-2009, has passed away. Robert Molteno pays tribute.
Zim Ngqawana: ‘I sing with a sword in my hand’
(25 December 1959 – 10 May 2011)
Aryan Kaganof
2011-05-12, Issue 529
‘Music was not an end result for Bra’ Zim, it was the means to provide healing.’ Aryan Kaganof reflects on the life of South African musician and mentor, Zim Ngqawana, ‘one individual whose life was not going to fit into an obituary.’
Dipping our banners for May Brutus
8 May 1929 – 12 March 2011
Tony Brutus
2011-03-17, Issue 521
May Brutus, wife of South African poet-activist Dennis, died suddenly on 12 March in London. ‘Those who knew May will remember a feisty, outspoken and awe-inspiring figure, speaking her mind on racism and injustice wherever she found it,’ writes her son, Tony Brutus.
Malangatana, force of nature
(1936–2011)
Pauline Wynter
2011-01-12, Issue 512
Mozambican poet and painter Malangatana Ngwenya passed away on 5 January. Pauline Wynter celebrates the iconic artist who brought the world around him to life.
Giving his body for the spirit to grow
Odipo Jacob Odhiambo: An obituary
Philo Ikonya
2010-11-24, Issue 507
Following the passing of Odipo Jacob Odhiambo, Philo Ikonya pays tribute to the Kenyan activist and shares personal experiences of their arrest together last year.
Jacob Odipo: Source of strength to many
Raphael Obonyo
2010-11-18, Issue 505
Jacob Odipo’s resilience and resolve for a more equal Kenya was always on full display, writes Raphael Obonyo.
Passing on of Comrade Peter Young Kihara
Release Political Prisoners (RPP) Trust
2010-09-30, Issue 498
Comrade Peter Young Kihara, veteran human rights defender, died on 26 September 2010 in Nairobi, Kenya. Kihara played 'a crucial role in constitution making' and showed 'unwavering commitment to work with the poor' at grassroots level, writes the RPP.
Lewis Nkosi, writer and academic
1936–2010
2010-09-16, Issue 496
South African writer and academic Lewis Nkosi has died, writes Margaret von Klemperer. ‘He was a fearless critic, a clear analytical voice. He didn’t have to align himself with any group and spoke his mind on both literary and wider cultural issues.’ Nkosi is survived by his wife and two daughters.
Lewis Nkosi: He brightened our lives and thoughts
1936–2010
Wangui wa Goro
2010-09-16, Issue 496
The sorrow is long But the sparrow must return To the nest He served well And brightened our lives and our thoughts I am sad still And pray that we all find a dry eye With which to remember our giants As they fall Go well Giant Friend You touched our lives!
In memory of Floribert Chebeya Bahzire
Dave Peterson
2010-06-16, Issue 486
In the wake of the recent death of Floribert Chebeya Bahzire, Dave Peterson pays tribute to this revered figure who was ‘undoubtedly Congo’s most prominent, committed and courageous human rights activist’.
On meeting Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert
Isabella Matambanadzo
2010-05-25, Issue 483
Following the 14 May death of Frederik Van Zyl Slabbert, Isabella Matambanadzo pays tribute to a man who 'believed in human agency and worked tirelessly for it'.
Hamba kahle Mama Fatima
In memoriam: Fatima Meer (1928–2010)
Lubna Nadvi
2010-03-17, Issue 474
Fatima Meer, ‘a champion of human rights, an advocate of the poor and disenfranchised, an outstanding academic and author and a woman of impeccable integrity and principles', sadly passed away on 12 March 2010 after a stroke. Lubna Nadvi reflects on her legacy: ‘While there can only be one Fatima Meer, she ignited the imagination of so many others that she came into contact with to fight for a better world. That is perhaps her most enduring contribution.’
Eulogy to Fatima Meer
Ashwin Desai
2010-03-18, Issue 474
Following the passing of Fatima Meer on 12 March, Ashwin Desai pays tribute to a figure who 'was nothing less than the spiritual leader of the strivings for social justice and equality' in post-1994 South Africa.
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