Author: Nicole Palmer

By Nicole Palmer Linguist Kwesi Kwaa Prah, champion of African languages, spoke about his passion during a graduation ceremony honouring his lifetime commitment to securing the position of mother tongue languages. One could almost hear the disappointment in his voice when he said, “Look at Asia. Asia was colonised, and they still speak their own languages.” And we could feel the writer scolding us for not speaking our mother tongue languages in our African countries. The writer has lived and worked in nine countries, spreading his knowledge and love for African languages wherever he goes. He does have one concern.…

By Ndalo Mbombo and Nicole Palmer   In the morning session of the first day of graduation, Rhodes University honoured advocate Paul Pretorius for his lifelong commitment to the fight for human rights and social justice. As evidence leader of the State Capture Commission, he played an essential role in the legal landscape of South Africa, standing up for what he believed in. “Make your decisions according to the value system that you hold,” Pretorius advised the 2024 graduates at his ceremony on Wednesday. He also said that this week’s recognition helped him realise his fight had been worthwhile. Visibly…

By Phila-Nathi Mapisa and Dideka Njemla The literary world has come to a standstill. We are in mourning. A giant has fallen. Athol Fugard, born on 11 June 1932, died on 8 March 2025, leaving a legacy that will echo through the generations. Fugard was a playwright, novelist, actor, director, and teacher. His works reflected the realities of South Africans, capturing identity, oppression, and resilience with raw honesty. He was a master of his craft, a storyteller who understood that sometimes the most political act is simply telling the truth. Rhodes University honoured Fugard in 1983 with a doctorate in…