South Africa

A subway stranger taught me to engage... even with ambassadors like Bozell

OPINION | A subway stranger taught me to engage… even with ambassadors like Bozell

A Day in the Life of a war correspondent, Blog, South Africa, Travel, USA

In a News24 opinion piece, Hamilton Wende reflects on a chance encounter with a stranger on a New York subway shortly after Nelson Mandela’s release from prison. The conversation challenged his assumptions and taught him the value of engaging with people whose views differ from his own. Drawing on that experience, Wende argues that dialogue, […]

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Hamilton Wende My Xhosa Teacher

Powerful Memories of My Xhosa Teacher

A Day in the Life of a war correspondent, South Africa

My Xhosa teacher Ally Weakley (seen here centre) was a powerful advocate of non-racialism in apartheid South Africa. He was tragically gunned down in rage after Chris Hani’s assassination. Rhodes honoured him this weekend by naming their main sports field after him. Here, published in the Sunday Times this weekend, I remember just what a powerful influence he had on my life.

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The shadows of El Alamein Hamilton Wende

The Shadows of El Alamein

A Day in the Life of a war correspondent, El Alamein, South Africa

Al, ex-British army and our security advisor, spread a map out on the hood of our vehicle.

‘We’ll take the Amarah road,’ he said. ‘The other road through Nasiriyah is not too good. Bandits are operating on that route.’

He paused. ‘I must make one thing clear. There are no weapons on this convoy. If bandits pull us over, we comply 100%. There must be no threatening gestures.’

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