Michelle Galloway
Media veteran Mathatha Tsedu is writing an autobiography detailing his life as a political activist and media warrior from his beginnings as a young boy who was born in rural Limpopo.
Mathatha Tsedu, veteran journalist and writer-in-residence at STIAS is a familiar face in the media landscape. He has served as editor of City Press and Sunday Times, he has been deputy head of news at SABC and head of the Media 24’s Journalist academy. Added to his many accolades is chairperson of the African Editors Forum and the SANEF. He was recently honoured by President Cyril Ramaphosa, during the awarding of National Orders at a ceremony in Tshwane.
Tsedu is also a writer-in-residence at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Studies (STIAS) and presented a seminar to STIAS fellows on his autobiographical book project with the working title And Still I Rise. At the seminar he talked about what it means to write an autobiography, the collective story of South Africans and black pain.
“My project is an autobiography. Whilst an autobiography inevitably centres around the author, I am shying away from it being about me,” he said. “I attempt instead, and hope the method will succeed, to tell the story of our people in the time that I lived, and my role, however small, in that part of our collective story.”
Tsedu’s autobiography will chronicle his extensive work in the media industry, his childhood on a white-owned farm in rural Limpopo and his life in a freehold township destroyed in the 1960s during mass removals. His mother died when he was five and his father lost his job when the young Tsedu was in primary school. In an interview with News 24 he talked about how little his family had. “I grew up in a family that had nothing, but there were people in the community who looked after me. If there’s something I can distill into a life philosophy based on this background, it is that I must always be worthy of the efforts of those who helped me,” he said at the time.
He says political literature that he was introduced to in his youth paved the way to his activism, which eventually led to his detention, torture and banishment.
His book will also trace his political awakening into the Black Consciousness Movement, his work in trade unions and the fight for agricultural workers’ rights through the Farm Workers Union. “I am essentially a black consciousness person – not within a party, not the ANC, not the PAC,” he said.
Tsedu treated STIAS fellows to a reading of the chapter entitled ‘The Banning’ which covers his three-year banning and house arrest from 1981 to 1984 which preceded his eventual detention.
“The three-year ban meant I couldn’t work, go to school, attend meetings or leave the municipal district. I had to be inside between 7pm and 6am with no visitors. It’s easier to list what I could do,” he said. “The chain of slavery had become short.”
He also described the anxiety leading up to the banning when his colleagues in the Media Workers Association of South Africa were being targeted one by one. “We wondered who would be next. It felt like it was a cat toying with a cornered rat. In a way it was better to get it over and done with. Detention, imprisonment, torture and banishment were almost inevitable – it was like our national service.”
Tsedu said that the hardest part of being banned was not being able to have freedom of movement and says that the trauma of those times has stayed with him well in the democratic era of South Africa. He did not go to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and believes that the commission “traded justice in the interest of reconciliation”. He believes two main issues were compromised during the transition, the land issue as well as the lack of justice and reparations for the violence inflicted during apartheid.
“It’s difficult to exactly pinpoint where things went wrong. Much of the negotiations with Mandela happened while he was still in prison. By the time he was released the framework had been agreed…We opted to apologise and go in peace. This worked for a while in the euphoria of the Rainbow Nation but even by 1999 when Mbeki became President it was wearing thin. People are questioning these issues in the streets today. They are tired of waiting and want to see the benefits of freedom,” he said.
Tsedu said there are very specific links in his autobiography and he wants readers to make the connections between what happened to a young boy in a faraway rural village to the historical story of black pain and the national struggle to end that pain.
“It’s always very difficult to write about me,” he said during his presentation. “The only way is, while I’m inside the story I’m not the central point. The book must serve other purposes.”
Hey, honestly your site is coming along :-), but I had a question – it’s a bit slow. Have you thought about using a different host like propel? It’d help your visitors stick around longer = more profit long term anyway. There’s a decent review on it by this guy who uses gtmetrix to test different hosting providers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6s0ciJI4W4 and the whole video has a bunch of gold in it, worth checking out.
Picture this – 3 am in the morning, I had a line of fiends stretched around the corner of my block. It was in the freezing middle of January but they had camped out all night, jumping-ready to buy like there was a sale on Jordans. If you were 16 years old, in my shoes, you’d do anything to survive, right? I got good news though; I MADE IT OUT OF THE HOOD, with nothing but a laptop and an internet connection. I’m not special or lucky in any way. If I, as a convicted felon that used to scream “Free Harlem” around my block until my throat was sore, could find a way to generate a stable, consistent, reliable income online, ANYONE can! If you’re interested in legitimate, stress-free side hustles that can bring in $3,500/week, I set up a site you can use: https://incomecommunity.com
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
Hi there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I came to take a look. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Outstanding blog and amazing design.
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
I want reading and I think this website got some genuinely utilitarian stuff on it! .
Good day very nice website!! Guy .. Excellent .. Superb .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?KI am satisfied to search out a lot of useful info right here within the submit, we’d like work out extra strategies on this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .
I love your writing style really loving this website .
I discovered your blog site on google and check a few of your early posts. Continue to keep up the very good operate. I just additional up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. Seeking forward to reading more from you later on!…
Great paintings! That is the kind of information that are supposed to be shared around the internet. Shame on the search engines for no longer positioning this publish higher! Come on over and consult with my site . Thanks =)
I’m still learning from you, as I’m improving myself. I definitely love reading everything that is posted on your website.Keep the posts coming. I liked it!
Definitely believe that that you stated. Your favourite justification seemed to be on the internet the simplest thing to remember of. I say to you, I definitely get irked whilst other people think about issues that they plainly don’t understand about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and also defined out the entire thing with no need side-effects , other people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks
Hey there! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m absolutely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
I got what you intend, appreciate it for posting.Woh I am lucky to find this website through google.
obviously like your website however you need to test the spelling on quite a few of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very bothersome to inform the truth however I will definitely come again again.
Some really interesting info , well written and broadly speaking user friendly.
Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get irked while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Excellent web site. Lots of helpful info here. I am sending it to a few friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your effort!
Appreciate it for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting information.
I like gathering utile info, this post has got me even more info! .
Its fantastic as your other articles : D, regards for posting.
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is fantastic, let alone the content!
Thankyou for this post, I am a big big fan of this site would like to continue updated.
Currently it sounds like WordPress is the preferred blogging platform available right now. (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?
You really make it seem really easy with your presentation however I find this matter to be really one thing which I believe I might never understand. It seems too complicated and extremely wide for me. I am taking a look forward on your next post, I will attempt to get the cling of it!
Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web-site is so cool. I am impressed by the details that you’ve on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found simply the information I already searched everywhere and simply couldn’t come across. What a perfect website.
I must express some thanks to you just for bailing me out of such a matter. Just after scouting throughout the world-wide-web and seeing methods that were not beneficial, I figured my entire life was over. Existing without the presence of solutions to the issues you have sorted out as a result of your entire short article is a critical case, as well as those which may have in a negative way damaged my entire career if I hadn’t encountered your blog post. Your own ability and kindness in handling all the details was tremendous. I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t come across such a solution like this. I am able to at this point look ahead to my future. Thanks very much for this skilled and result oriented guide. I won’t hesitate to endorse the blog to anybody who wants and needs tips on this situation.
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all of us you really realize what you’re talking approximately! Bookmarked. Please also discuss with my website =). We may have a hyperlink exchange contract between us!
It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d definitely donate to this superb blog! I suppose for now i’ll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!
You have noted very interesting points! ps decent internet site. “If I were two-faced, would I be wearing this one” by Abraham Lincoln.
Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a entirely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Superb choice of colors!
Hi! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I truly enjoy reading through your articles. Can you recommend any other blogs/websites/forums that go over the same topics? Thank you!
Appreciating the commitment you put into your website and detailed information you present. It’s nice to come across a blog every once in a while that isn’t the same old rehashed information. Fantastic read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to my Google account.
I got good info from your blog
An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
I just could not go away your web site before suggesting that I really enjoyed the usual info an individual supply on your guests? Is going to be again incessantly in order to investigate cross-check new posts
Enjoyed reading through this, very good stuff, thankyou.
This is very interesting, You are a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your website in my social networks!
fantastic points altogether, you simply gained a brand new reader. What would you recommend in regards to your post that you made some days ago? Any positive?
Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your site? My blog site is in the very same niche as yours and my users would definitely benefit from some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Cheers!
Incredible! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a totally different topic but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!
As soon as I detected this web site I went on reddit to share some of the love with them.
Beli 4D Online | Magnum | Sport Toto | Da ma cai | Singapore Lotto | Grand Dragon Lotto | Sandakan 4D | CashSweep | Sabah 88 | 9 Lotto | Buy 4d online | 4D Nombor di https://bit.ly/cm4d-web
I’d always want to be update on new blog posts on this site, bookmarked! .
What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve found It absolutely helpful and it has aided me out loads. I hope to contribute & help other users like its aided me. Great job.
Well I really liked studying it. This post procured by you is very constructive for correct planning.
I haven’t checked in here for a while as I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are great quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
4D Online | Magnum | Sport Toto | Da ma cai | Singapore Lotto | Grand Dragon Lotto | Sandakan 4D | CashSweep | Sabah
Good web site! I truly love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I’ve subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a nice day!
It’s hard to search out educated individuals on this matter, however you sound like you already know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Nice blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A design like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog shine. Please let me know where you got your design. Thanks
Thank you for your articles. I find them very helpful. Could you help me with something?
I really appreciate your help
This design is incredible! You certainly know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Wonderful job. I really loved what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool!
Terrific paintings! That is the kind of info that should be shared around the net. Shame on the seek engines for no longer positioning this put up upper! Come on over and talk over with my website . Thank you =)
Thank you for your help and this post. It’s been great.
Merely wanna input on few general things, The website style and design is perfect, the articles is rattling great. “By following the concept of ‘one country, two systems,’ you don’t swallow me up nor I you.” by Deng Xiaoping.
Way cool, some valid points! I appreciate you making this article available, the rest of the site is also high quality. Have a fun.
Throughout the awesome design of things you’ll get a B+ with regard to effort and hard work. Exactly where you actually confused me personally ended up being on your details. You know, as the maxim goes, the devil is in the details… And it could not be much more correct here. Having said that, permit me tell you just what exactly did do the job. The authoring can be really persuasive and that is most likely why I am taking an effort to opine. I do not make it a regular habit of doing that. Secondly, whilst I can easily see the leaps in reasoning you make, I am definitely not sure of just how you seem to connect the points which make the actual final result. For now I shall yield to your issue but wish in the future you connect the dots much better.
Regards for helping out, good info .
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research about this. We got a grab a book from our local library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such great information being shared freely out there.
Enjoyed looking at this, very good stuff, appreciate it. “What the United States does best is to understand itself. What it does worst is understand others.” by Carlos Fuentes.
Hiya very cool blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I’ll bookmark your site and take the feeds also…I am glad to search out a lot of useful info here within the publish, we need work out more strategies in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
Hi there, You’ve done an excellent job. I’ll certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they’ll be benefited from this site.
Great write-up, I’m normal visitor of one’s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It is going to be a regular visitor for a lengthy time.
hello!,I really like your writing very a lot! percentage we keep in touch extra about your article on AOL? I need an expert on this house to resolve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Looking forward to peer you.
I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this blog. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming as well. In fact your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own blog now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings quickly. Your write up is a good example of it.
Oh my goodness! an incredible article dude. Thank you However I am experiencing concern with ur rss . Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting similar rss drawback? Anybody who is aware of kindly respond. Thnkx
Some truly great info , Glad I noticed this. “The past is a guide post, not a hitching post.” by L. Thomas Holdcroft.
I’ve been exploring for a bit for any high quality articles or blog posts on this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I at last stumbled upon this website. Reading this information So i am happy to convey that I’ve a very good uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most certainly will make sure to do not forget this web site and give it a look on a constant basis.
Hi there would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a honest price? Thanks, I appreciate it!