THE SPLENDID TAPESTRY OF AFRICAN LIFE, essays on a resilient continent, its diaspora, and the world

586pp., paperback, Jacana, Johannesburg, 2024

ISBN: 9781431435630

145 essays written over three decades on the history, politics, international relations, culture, film, sports, and travel of Africa and its diaspora.

"Adekeye Adebajo has put together an extraordinary collection of his essays, both scholarly and literary, true to the depth and breadth of his knowledge of African and international affairs. I have long been a great admirer of his scholarship and literary talents, which often brings to mind the combination I have always associated with another legendary scholar, Professor Ali Mazrui – an educator and an entertainer." Francis Deng, Former UN Special Representative on Internal Displacement, Former UN Senior Advisor on the Prevention of Genocide, and Former Visiting Professor at New York University, and Columbia and Yale Law Schools

"A masterful tapestry of writings from one of the foremost scholars of Africa’s international relations. This broad collection of essays offers astute and engaging reflections on the hopes, triumphs, and sorrows of the continent, blending sharp analysis and critique with genuine celebration of Africa’s talents, accomplishments, and ideals. Highly readable and deeply provocative, this is an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to grasp Africa’s complexities and its evolving role in the world." Devon EA Curtis, Director of the Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge

Adekeye Adebajo is Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria. His books include Global Africa, profiles in courage, creativity and cruelty; The Curse of Berlin: Africa after the Cold War; UN Peacekeeping in Africa and Thabo Mbeki: Africa's philosopher-king.