Mitchells Plain-born poet, author and Oxford academic Athol Williams has spoken out after a news article by one media group prompted another publication to launch an investigation into his description of his background.

The article, which lauded Williams, an activist and whistle blower currently living in England, led a journalist from another media outlet to write to Williams’ employer in the United Kingdom. In the email, the journalist wrote that Williams had been “credibly accused” of having “fabricated multiple aspects of his past.”

Williams shared a post on his Facebook page, saying the article’s allegations were “a very serious statement which could have severe consequences” for him, particularly given what he described as “the tragedy of Prof Jason Arday at Cambridge University.”

Professor Jason Arday, who was the youngest-ever Black professor at Cambridge University, was found dead at his home recently. His death followed weeks of intense public scrutiny over allegations about his biography and qualifications. His family said he had been subjected to a “campaign of sustained abuse.”

A question of poems

Williams said he counted 43 claims made by him or the journalist in the media article. He said the only new fact was his statement that he has written 2 000 poems.

He drew a clear distinction between poems he has written and those he has published.

“I’ve had seven books of poetry ‘published’ and over 100 poems ‘published’ in other publications, but have ‘written’ 2 000 poems,” Williams said. “Any writer knows that not everything they write gets published. I’ve only submitted a small fraction of my poems for publication.”

Right to investigate, wrong to damage

Williams said he supported the investigation of allegations but raised concerns about how such investigations are carried out.

“I believe it is right to investigate allegations, but not to cause damage to anyone in the course of that investigation,” he said.

He said many people know him personally, have read his autobiography Pushing Boulders, or have followed his journey.

“I understand many will take great delight in seeing me unfairly discredited but I hope there are many who will want the truth to prevail,” he said.

Confident in the facts

Williams said he was confident that anyone pursuing truth rather than acting with malicious intent would find nothing fabricated in the article.

He invited readers to share their views in the comments section.

“If you have genuine questions, I’ll answer them,” he said.

Williams said he was still waiting for the second publication’s report or article.

Comments

People were quick to respond to the post, which was reshared dozens of times.

Most questioned why the publication would “target” Williams.

One commenter said: “I don’t understand what could precipitate the investigation into your background? Is it that no person, let alone black (Biko definition) or less so coloured (Apartheid definition), could achieve so much, starting from so little? Or is it that blacks must always be aggressive, conniving con artists mired in corruption and driven by lust — and coloureds just uneducated and perpetual substance-abusing drunkards?”

Others encouraged him to take legal action.

From Mitchells Plain to Oxford

Williams grew up in Mitchells Plain and has been widely reported on by TygerBurger over the years.

He holds five master’s degrees from top universities, including Harvard, MIT and the London School of Economics. He completed a PhD at Oxford with a thesis on business ethics and corporate responsibility that earned a distinction.

He was appointed the first Poet Laureate at a business school globally, at Oxford’s Saïd Business School, where he also serves as a Senior Fellow of Management Practice.

Williams is also known as a whistleblower who exposed corruption at consulting firm Bain and Company. His testimony was central to the Zondo Commission’s investigation into state capture.

He founded the NGO Read to Rise, which has distributed new books to over 350 000 children from under-resourced communities across South Africa.

“I believe that inspiration is a vital element of education because an inspired person can rise above their obstacles. I know this first-hand,” Williams has said.

His brother, Roscoe Williams, previously told TygerBurger: “Athol Williams has the qualities of a leader who could help advance South Africa. Sadly, his commitment to truth led to his exile. It’s a loss for us, while other countries now have the privilege of drawing on his strengths.”

Williams received the Blueprint Special Recognition Award for “integrity and bravery in the public interest.”

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