"Some debates we had were surprisingly fundamental, even regarding terms like “Black,” “Bantu,” and “brown.” These words carry different political meanings depending on context"

Athambile Masola See all quotes by Athambile Masola →

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“We continue to live in a world shaped by racial hierarchies and inequalities”

“Black Consciousness teaches us that dignity isn’t something we request; it’s something we inherently possess.”

“One risk we face is epistemicide—the disappearance of knowledge systems as languages decline. Thus, every text written, translated, or taught in isiXhosa or other African languages helps protect that knowledge and ensures our stories, ideas, and ways of thinking remain alive”

“Literature plays a crucial role because language is not just communication; it embodies culture, memory, and knowledge”

“I wanted readers to feel that the book speaks to them in a living language—not one that feels distant or inaccessible.”

“Language reflects ideology, and when translating a text rooted in Black Consciousness, every word carries weight”

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