Trevor Ncube

This may be considered a companion post to the previous one. Trevor Ncube has been awarded the 2007 IPA (International Publishers Association) Freedom Prize. The prize was created in 2005 and 'is awarded for exemplary courage in upholding freedom of expression and freedom to publish'. In making the award Ana Maria Cabanellas, President of the IPA, said:

Trevor Ncube's work as a publisher and his wholehearted support of freedom of expression have often brought him into conflict with Zimbabwean authorities and endangered his personal safety. Despite repeated threats of violence and attempts to strip him of his Zimbabwean citizenship, Trevor Ncube's newspapers have persistently continued to expose corruption and human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, thus encouraging healthy dissent and criticism both in the public and private sectors. We award this Prize to Trevor Ncube in deep respect for his courage as a publisher and as a salute to the passion, the integrity, and the steadfastness that he so marvellously demonstrates.

Here is an excerpt from Ncube's own speech:

For Africa to claim its rightful place in the community of [nations] African politicians need to begin to understand that Freedom of Expression and the freedom to publish are twin partners and not enemies in the task of creating democratic societies. Vibrant newspapers and a book reading culture free from political control are a vital ingredient to creating a market place of ideas to propel Africa's growth and development. Societies which live in perpetual fear of their politicians can never be creative and robust nations particularly in the knowledge based times we live in. Africa desperately needs to let loose the creative energies of her people by allowing them to think and express themselves freely. Indeed, only by setting her people free does Africa stand a chance of catching up with the rest of the world.

For more on Trevor Ncube, see here. (Thanks: BT.)