Chinua Achebe: There Was A Man

“Okonkwo was well known throughout the nine villages and even beyond. His fame rested on solid personal achievement.” Thus opens Things Fall Apart, the most famous and widely read book by an African, penned by Nigerian author Chinua Achebe. I first came across Achebe’s writings at Gokomere High School when I accidentally found myself reading…

Zimbabwe’s Referendum: Hope Springs Eternal

Early on Saturday 16 March, at around 2:30 am, we left the city for the village. It was a historic day for Zimbabwe, a day when Zimbabweans would get to adopt or reject a new constitution, and my brother decided he would cast his vote in the village. When the process to come up with…

The Media and the Demonisation of Cde Hugo Chavez

While Latin America is mourning the death of Hugo Chavez, western media houses are busy portraying the late President of Bolivarian Venezuela as a ruthless dictator whose demise will do the people of Venezuela a lot of good. Nothing can be further than the truth. Venezuela’s loss is immense. Under Chavez illiteracy was wiped out,…

Words from Nkrumah as Ghana Celebrates 56 Years of Independence

Today marks 56 years since Ghana became independent in 1957. As the comrades in Ghana celebrate their independence I reflect on what Ghana’s, and perhaps Africa’s, greatest son, Kwame Nkrumah had to say concerning African states and independence: “Africa is a paradox which illustrates and highlights neo-colonialism. Her earth is rich, yet the products that come…