Ali Mazrui: Scholar who foresaw Black Africa owning nuclear weapons

Ali Al’amin Mazrui was a Kenyan academic, political thinker, writer on Islamic and African studies, and university professor. He was, and still is, considered one of Africa’s most notable intellectuals, having had a significant impact on the post-colonial generation.

Mazrui is credited with producing The Africans: A Triple Heritage, a groundbreaking television series that gained popularity in the 1980s. In the nine-part documentary, co-produced by the US Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), and the Nigerian Television Authority, Mazrui explored a broad range of subjects relating to African society and culture. Some episodes focused on nature, political instability, conflict, exploitation, and the family.

The overarching theme of Mazrui’s series was the impact of three distinct influences on the African continent: Christianity, Islam, and African culture. He presented a powerful critique of the damage colonialism inflicted on African traditions. At the same time, he advocated for greater collaboration between Africa and the Arab world and even discussed the possibility of Africa developing nuclear weapons.

He also authored a collection of essays titled Uhuru: Worship and Heroes, in which he expressed solidarity with those fighting for freedom from colonial rule.

Born on February 24, 1933, Mazrui held prestigious academic positions, including Director of the Centre for African and Afro-American Studies at the University of Michigan. He later served as Director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies at Binghamton University in New York.

Mazrui passed away on October 12, 2014, after battling illness for several months. At the time of his death aged 81, he was living and working in New York.

His body was repatriated to his home in Mombasa, arriving on Sunday, October 19, 2014.