Africa-Press – Zambia. Lusaka… Thursday May 29, 2025 – Zambia’s Socialist Party (SP) Dr. Fred M’membe has paid glowing tribute to the late Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, describing him as a towering figure whose writings shaped the consciousness of an entire generation of progressive African university students and revolutionaries.
Speaking in the wake of the celebrated Kenyan writer’s pas
sing, Dr. M’membe said his generation was profoundly influenced and inspired by Prof. Ngũgĩ’s work.
He likened the late author to Russia’s Maxim Gorky, acknowledging his role not just as a novelist but as a powerful voice for the oppressed
Dr. M’membe stated that Prof. Ngũgĩ’s literature transcended storytelling, serving as potent tools for challenging both oppression and repression.
He described the writer’s work as invaluable revolutionary literature that spoke directly to the hearts and struggles of those seeking justice and freedom on the African continent.
He further praised Prof. Ngũgĩ’s unwavering commitment to promoting African languages, noting that the author had consistently embraced the power of indigenous voices with remarkable courage.
According to Dr. M’membe, Prof. Ngũgĩ’s advocacy was both practical and exemplary, reinforcing the cultural and political importance of language in the African liberation struggle.
While expressing sadness that no new works would come from the writer, Dr. M’membe remarked that Prof. Ngũgĩ had already left behind a rich literary legacy.
He asserted that the writer’s influence would endure in every story, every struggle, and every dream for a more just, fair, and humane world.
“Rest in eternal peace, Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o,” Dr. M’membe concluded. “Great, great thanks for your life and your works.”
He writes:
I belong to a generation that was greatly influenced and inspired by Prof. Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s works. For my generation of progressive African university students and revolutionaries, he was our Maxim Gorky.
His works were more than novels. They were very potent weapons for challenging oppression and repression. It was very valuable revolutionary literature.
Prof. Ngugi wa Thiong’o embraced the power of indigenous African voices with courage and was consistently and in a very practical and exemplary way advocating for African languages.
Though we will never read new works from him again, he has left us great works, and his legacy will continue in every story, every struggle, and every dream of a more just, fair and humane world.
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