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4 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
Muzi Sikhakhane's 'Odyssey of Liberation': A Rebel Advocate's Journey
Muzi Sikhakhane's 'Odyssey of Liberation': A Rebel Advocate's Journey with Rev Dr Allan Boesak Image: Supplied He is a rebel with a cause, and he is drawing attention to struggles and prejudices that the previous and present generation of African lawyers are saddled with. Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane, a respected figure in the country's legal circles, shared profound insights into the experiences of black professionals, particularly in his field of trade, in the book that he penned. Sikhakhane's first book; Odyssey of Liberation: A Memoir of a Rebel Advocate, underwent its Durban launch on Friday at the Playhouse. Odyssey of Liberation: A Memoir of a Rebel Advocate, a book by advocate Muzi Sikhakhane Image: Supplied Rev Dr Allan Boesak, a well known prominent cleric, politician, and anti-apartheid activist wrote the book's foreword. The book was originally launched privately in Muldesdrift, Gauteng, in December 2024. A public launch of the book happened, also in Gauteng, in April, before last week's Durban showing. The book is a culmination of Sikhakhane's long-held ambition to narrate not only his journey but also the collective struggles of his fellow African brothers. At the core of his message lies the poignant reminder of the harsh judgments faced by black professionals, even by their own communities. "I have always wanted to chronicle my own history which is the history of most African people, the hardships they endured, the perpetual violence of poverty and the never-ending persecution they face in the land of their birth," Sikhakhane explained. This urgency to document their experiences stemmmed from the recognition that the adversity faced by black advocates is often exacerbated by societal biases. "Black advocates tend to be judged harshly for who their clients are, while their white counterparts never face such criticism," he noted, underscoring a critical imbalance that persisted within the legal framework. The advocate's narrative transcends personal experience; it serves as a mirror reflecting the broader societal bigotry rooted in pervasive white power. "In my story, I wanted to shine the light on the bigotry in our society," he remarked. Sikhakhane's work does not shy away from confronting uncomfortable truths, aiming to foster honest dialogue about the betrayal and disillusionment that has accompanied the African journey to independence. His decision to conduct multiple book launches was intentional, as he seeks to stimulate discussions centred around the future of African people. His new book aims to educate readers and initiate a constructive conversation on true liberation, a concept that he argued as being largely unfulfilled. "It's about mental emancipation and breaking the chains that tie African people to their own oppressors," he elaborated. Sikhakhane emphasised the importance of owning the narrative. "I do it on my own as I realise that mainstream media is engineered to avoid the discussion," he said, contending that it remained an extension of white control in the public dialogue. His work, standing apart from unusual media narratives, called for an awakening that challenged existing power dynamics. While the book was ultimately his, Sikhakhane acknowledged contributions from individuals like Professor Isaac Shai and his dedicated team. Their collaborative efforts in editing have enriched his narrative tapestry, allowing his voice to resonate more profoundly with readers. DAILY NEWS
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws at University of Zululand
A Call for Decolonisation: Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC's Inspiring Graduation Speech at the University of Zululand Image: Facebook In a historic moment that reverberated through the halls of the University of Zululand, Advocate Muzi Sikhakhane SC was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) during the institution's second graduation session. But this accolade was more than mere ceremony; it was a clarion call—a fiery declaration of resistance, decolonisation, and unwavering commitment to justice. Sikhakhane, a renowned legal thinker, author of Odyssey of Liberation, and a stalwart voice of activism, used his acceptance speech to challenge the status quo, ignite the spirit of rebellion, and urge a collective movement toward genuine liberation. A Humble Beginning, A Bold Call He opened with humility, acknowledging the honour and its significance. 'I am grateful and humbled by this recognition,' Sikhakhane said. 'I always thought such an honour was reserved for the older generation, most of whom are en route to their graves. But to receive it from this university, a place I hold dear, affirms the ongoing struggle for our liberation.' He paid homage to the pioneers of resistance—those who dared to challenge imperialist, colonial, and apartheid systems—and called on future leaders to embody integrity and moral courage. 'As a lawyer, I must emphasise that unwavering courage and integrity are your most vital qualities,' he declared. 'They may not make you rich, but they will build your character and earn you respect. We must confront the worship of money - the 'pagan god'—which ruling elites and society alike have elevated above our shared humanity.' Law Is Not Justice: A Critique and a Call for Revolution Sikhakhane's critique of the legal system continued as he emphasised that 'Law is not justice.' 'It often disguises itself as neutral and universal, but is rooted in specific religious and cultural frameworks designed to reproduce and entrench social hierarchies. Recognising the co-constitutive relationship between settler colonialism, racial capitalism, and the psychology of colonialism is vital for true liberation.' He called for a revolutionary reimagining of society based on decolonisation. 'Decolonisation is not an end but a process—'the veritable creation of new men,' as Fanon said. It demands that we completely question the foundations of our knowledge, systems, and identities.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Challenging Western Narratives and Building a New Society Sikhakhane challenged leaders and intellectuals to contest Western civilisation's dominant narratives. 'Our Eurocentric legal and educational systems, and their apologists, only push us backwards,' he said. 'Western civilisation, as it stands today, is in disarray. If our point of departure remains European—if we accept their histories and standards—we are not truly free. It is time to tell Europe they are too young to teach us about being and knowing.' He called for the reconstitution of the state, arguing that it is time for citizens' assemblies—genuine platforms to rethink our revolution and draft a constitution rooted in liberation. He urged everyone to see themselves as active creators of this new reality, emphasising the power of individual and collective will in shaping the future. The Unfinished Revolution: A Call for Collective Resistance Sikhakhane's speech was infused with urgency, quoting Revolution by Okri. 'They live as if everything is settled in the world. But nothing is settled. Not our dreams, nor our fears, nor the boundary between things. 'The land is not settled, nor the realm of sleep, nor the deep mines where our fathers weep, nor the deep wells where mothers call out our names. 'Those steel walls never kept out the eyes of hunger, which wander the world like thunder.' He called for active resistance against systemic injustice. 'Join me for the redemption of the people of God - whose humanity has been devoured by the cold hearts of leaders,' he implored. 'Let us create a new world where all humanity matters, where the sub-human status of African people is erased from history, never to be resurrected as ghosts to haunt future generations.' A Poetic and Prophetic Vision for Liberation Sikhakhane's closing words were poetic, invoking his own words and Margaret Walker's For My People. 'Let the new earth rise. Let another world be born. Let a bloody peace be written in the sky. Let a second generation full of courage issue forth, Let a people-loving freedom come to growth, let a beautiful healing and a strength of final clenching be the pulsing in our spirits and our blood.'
