Veteran Nollywood actress , Joke Silva, and an adjunct professor of creative writing at the University of Abuja, Tunde Olusunle [PhD] have mourned the literary icon, Ngugi wa Thiong’o.
Joke Silva said that wa Thiong’o helped to shape the consciousness of many Africans and expressed sadness over his passing.
She noted that his writings were geared towards the consciousness of colonialism, apartheid and post colonial Africa.
On his part, Olusunle said wa Thiong’o offered resource materials to students of literature.
Read his full reaction: “Your reading list, your resource materials as a student of literature in our generation was incomplete without engaging with some literary personages and their oeuvre.
“In the bracket of the first generation of African writers, Kenyan-born Ngugi wa Thiong’o was in the league of the Chinua Achebes, Wole Soyinkas, John Pepper Bekederemo-Clarks, Kofi Awoonors, Ayi Kwei-Armahs, Sembene Ousmanes, all legends in their various rights.
“He was a multitasking writer and scholar who was as much a novelist, as he was a playwright, critic and theorist.
“He was a gadfly who unsettled generations of leaders in his country with his works which criticised incompetent leadership, corruption, repression and underdevelopment.
“The combativeness and causticity of his writings, expectedly, brought him face-to-face with the establishment such that he sought safety in the United States, away from agents of state.
“To say he will be profoundly missed is an understatement.”
The daughter of Ngugi, Wanjiku wa Ngugi, had announced the author’ demise via Facebook on Wednesday.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our dad, Ngugi wa Thiong’o this Wednesday morning, 28th May 2025.
“He lived a full life, fought a good fight. As was his last wish, let’s celebrate his life and his work,” Wanjiku wrote.
The family’s spokesperson, Nducu wa Ngugi will announce details of his celebration of life soon.
Joke Silva, via her Instagram, described the late author as a great man.
She further explained how the late author helped to spread the perspective of many Africans, including herself about colonialism, post colonialism and imperialism.
Her tribute reads: “Weep not child, Petals of Blood, The Trials of Dedan Kimathi, these and many more books by the great #NgugiwaThiong’o , helped shape the consciousness of many Africans of my generation, including me.
“He helped me understand colonialism, post colonialism and imperialism but also as important was his centering of our stories and identity ensuring we understand that we, matter!
“He was a colossus not just of literature but also culture, history, memory and identity. He was a great man.
“While death is something we must all taste, it is difficult not to feel sad by the passing of such an icon.
“The only comfort lays in knowing he ran a brilliant race and will forever be immortal through his works and the lasting impact he had on millions of us .
“So while he has gone to be with the ancestors, he will never be forgotten.
“Rest in peace and power, great one.Condolences to his family, his country and the continent. He will be missed (Kadaria Ahmed for us all,” she wrote
The late author is considered one of East Africa’s greatest literary figures.
In 1977, he was jailed without charge after the staging of their play “Ngaahika Ndeenda” (“I Will Marry When I Want”).
The play was considered a harsh critique of post-colonial Kenyan society.
The literary icon went into self-imposed exile in 1982 after a ban on theatre groups in Kenya, moving first to Britain then to the United States.
In 1986, he published one of his best-known works, “Decolonising the Mind”, a collection of essays about the role of language in forging national culture, history and identity.
He died at the age of 87.
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