18 hours ago
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
