Athol Williams

Last updated

Athol Williams
Athol Williams.jpg
Athol Williams in Oxford, UK, 2017
BornAthol Williams
(1970-06-20) 20 June 1970 (age 54)
Cape Town, South Africa
OccupationWriter, Applied Philosopher
LanguageEnglish
Nationality South African
Alma mater Oxford University
London School of Economics
Harvard University
London Business School
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
University of the Witwatersrand
Notable worksDeep Collusion
Bumper Cars
Pushing Boulders
Website
www.atholwilliams.com

Athol Williams (born 20 June 1970) is a South African poet, applied philosopher and business lecturer [1] based at Oxford University. [2]

Contents

Life

Williams was born in Lansdowne, Cape Town, South Africa, and grew up in Mitchells Plain, the coloured township established under apartheid. Before becoming a professional writer and social philosopher, he worked in business for fifteen years, mainly as a strategy advisor.

It was at the University of the Witwatersrand, in 1991, that he published his first poem, "New South Africa", in the student publication Wits Student. The poem captured the newfound optimism associated with the release from prison of Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid leaders in 1990. [3]

He is the co-founder of Read to Rise, [4] an NGO that promotes youth literacy by making appropriate books available to children in poor communities and founder of the Institute of Social and Corporate Ethics (ISCE). He serves on the board of New Contrast Literary Magazine, a South African literary journal, [5] and is the founder of the Cape Flats Book Festival. [6]

Anti-corruption

Williams is acknowledged for his anti-corruption and ethical business stance. In October 2019, Williams blew the whistle on Bain & Company stating that they had withheld relevant information from the Nugent Commission investigating irregularities at South African Revenue Service. [7] [8] [9] [10] In December 2019, several media outlets reported that Bain had attempted to buy Williams's silence. [11] [12] [13] [14] The Nugent Commission found that Bain did not make full disclosure. [15] Bain have denied these allegations. [16] [17]

In March 2021, Williams testified for two days before the State Capture Commission presenting evidence relating to Bain's alliance with Jacob Zuma and Tom Moyane in alleged state capture in South Africa. [18] [19] [20] [21] The Commission's final report concluded that Bain's behaviour was 'unlawful' and praised Williams for rejecting hush money and acknowledged his contribution, stating 'it particularly wishes to express its appreciation to Mr Williams for the evidence he gathered and placed before the Commission.' [22] In November 2021, Williams published Deep Collusion: Bain and the capture of South Africa based on his testimony and experience at Bain. [23]

On 1 November 2021, Williams fled South Africa due to safety concerns. As a witness and whistle-blower who implicated dozens of individuals in the ongoing Zondo Commission, he feared possible reprisal. [24] [25] While in exile, Williams collaborated with Lord Peter Hain to draw global attention to Bain's corrupt activities in South Africa. One outcome of this campaign was the announcement by the UK government on 3 August 2022 that its investigation concluded Bain was 'guilty of grave professional misconduct' leading to a 3 year ban from state contracts. [26] [27] [28]

Academic

Williams holds three academic posts at Oxford University. In 2023 he was appointed Lecturer in Management at Said Business School [29] and Lecturer in Management at St Peter's College. [30] He has held the position of Research Associate at Hertford College [2] since 2022. In June 2024, Hertford College announced that it had awarded Williams its highest recognition, an Honorary Fellowship. [31]

He is the first person to earn five master's degrees from five global top-ranked universities. [32] He holds the following degrees:

Williams has held the positions of adjunct professor at University of the Witwatersrand and Senior Lecturer at the University of Cape Town, specialising in corporate responsibility and ethical leadership [37] He was also a Research Fellow in the Centre for Applied Ethics at the University of Stellenbosch. [38]

Writing

From 2009 to 2014, Williams published his poetry under the pseudonym AE Ballakisten. His poetry typically addresses four themes: (i) social justice as in the poems When It Rains, Protest in Colombo and Coat of Arms (ii) exploration of our humanity as in Your Song (iii) inspiration as we find in 39 Postcards or (iv) the surreal as in the poem At Home.

Williams's academic writing focuses on corporate responsibility and business ethics. He is often published in the media on topics of poverty, [39] [40] youth literacy, [41] social justice [42] and corporate malfeasance. [43] [44] [45]

Williams writes regularly on public affairs for publications in South Africa and is a regular radio guest and conference speaker. He has a regular column for Thought Leader [46] [47] and has recently published in the Mail & Guardian , [48] The Big Issue [49] and Business Day. [44]

Bibliography

Poetry

Non-fiction

Children's books

Awards and honours

Academic

Literary

Public Service

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sol Plaatje</span> South African politician, writer and linguist

Solomon Tshekisho Plaatje was a South African intellectual, journalist, linguist, politician, translator and writer. Plaatje was a founding member and first General Secretary of the South African Native National Congress (SANNC), which became the African National Congress (ANC). The Sol Plaatje Local Municipality, which includes the city of Kimberley, is named after him, as is the Sol Plaatje University in that city, which opened its doors in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Cape Town</span> Public university in Cape Town, South Africa

The University of Cape Town (UCT) is a public research university in Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 1829 as the South African College, it was granted full university status in 1918, making it the oldest university in South Africa and the oldest university in Sub-Saharan Africa in continuous operation.

The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is the revenue service of the South African government. It administers the country's tax system and customs service, and enforces compliance with related legislation. It is governed by the SARS Act 34 of 1997, which established it as "an organ of state within the public administration, but as an institution outside the public service." It thus has a significant degree of administrative autonomy, although it is under the policy control of the Minister of Finance. Effectively, SARS manages, administers, and implements the tax regime as designed by the Minister and National Treasury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Corruption in South Africa</span>

Corruption in South Africa includes the improper use of public resources for private ends, including bribery and improper favouritism. Corruption was at its highest during the period of state capture under the presidency of Jacob Zuma and has remained widespread, negatively "affecting criminal justice, service provision, economic opportunity, social cohesion and political integrity" in South Africa.

Max Price served as the vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Cape Town (UCT) in South Africa, succeeding Njabulo Ndebele. He held this position for a decade, from 19 August 2008, until 30 June 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mamokgethi Phakeng</span> South African Mathematician and Research scientist

Rosina Mamokgethi Phakeng is a South African professor of mathematics education who in 2018 became a vice-chancellor of the University of Cape Town (UCT). She has been the vice principal of research and innovation, at the University of South Africa and acting executive dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at UNISA. In 2018 she was an invited speaker at the International Congresses of Mathematicians. In February 2023 it was announced that she would leave her position as vice-chancellor of UCT and take early retirement. She was succeeded by Professor Daya Reddy on 13 March 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bain & Company</span> Global management consulting firm

Bain & Company is an American management consulting company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. The firm provides advice to public, private, and non-profit organizations. One of the Big Three management consultancies, Bain & Company was founded in 1973 by former Group Vice President of Boston Consulting Group Bill Bain and his colleagues, including Patrick F. Graham. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the firm grew rapidly. Bill Bain later spun off the alternative investment business into Bain Capital in 1984 and appointed Mitt Romney as its first CEO. Bain experienced several setbacks and financial troubles from 1987 to the early 1990s. Romney and Orit Gadiesh are credited with returning the firm to profitability and growth in their sequential roles as the firm's CEO and chairman respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geordin Hill-Lewis</span> South African politician and Mayor of Cape Town

Geordin Gwyn Hill-Lewis is a South African politician who is the Mayor of Cape Town. A member of the Democratic Alliance, he was elected mayor in November 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sol Plaatje University</span> Public university in Kimberly, South Africa

Sol Plaatje University is a public university located in Kimberley, South Africa. Established in 2014, it is the first and only university located in the Northern Cape province.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Mpumalanga</span> Public university in Mbombela, South Africa

University of Mpumalanga is based in Mbombela and in Siyabuswa, South Africa. It was established in 2014, initially accommodating a modest intake of one hundred and forty students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FeesMustFall</span> 2015–2016 student movement in South Africa

#FeesMustFall was a student-led protest movement that began in mid-October 2015 in South Africa. The goals of the movement were to stop increases in student fees as well as to increase government funding of universities. Protests started at the University of Witwatersrand and spread to the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University before rapidly spreading to other universities across the country. Although initially enjoying significant public support the protest movement started to lose public sympathy when the protests started turning violent.

Duduzile "Dudu" Cynthia Myeni was a South African businesswoman, a chairperson of South African Airways SOC Limited, and executive chairperson of the Jacob Zuma Foundation since September 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019 South African general election</span>

General elections were held in South Africa on 8 May 2019 to elect a new President, National Assembly and provincial legislatures in each province. These were the sixth elections held since the end of apartheid in 1994 and determined who would become the next President of South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Book fairs in South Africa</span>

Book fairs and literary festivals are held throughout South Africa each year to promote literacy among children and adults. A country's literacy rate is often a key social indicator of development. In 2005, UNESCO Institute for Statistics reported a literacy rate of 94.37% among the population aged 15 years and older. The literacy rate among the male population in this age group was 95.4% and 93.41 for female counterparts. According to Statistics South Africa, functional illiteracy among those aged 20 years or older, was recorded at 15.4% in 2005. This has improved from 2002's 27.3%. Women are more likely to be functionally illiterate across all age groups, apart from those aged between 20 and 39 years old.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salome Maswime</span> South African clinician and health expert

Salome Maswime is a South African clinician and global health expert. She is an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and the Head of Global Surgery at the University of Cape Town. She advocates for women's health rights, equity in surgical and maternal care, and providing adequate health services to remote and underserved populations. She advises and consults for many institutions, including the World Health Organization. In 2017, she was honored with the Trailblazer and Young Achiever Award. She is a member of the Academy of Science of South Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zondo Commission</span> 2018 South African corruption investigation

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, better known as the Zondo Commission or State Capture Commission, was a public inquiry established in January 2018 by former President Jacob Zuma to investigate allegations of state capture, corruption, and fraud in the public sector in South Africa.

Events in the year 2021 in South Africa.

<i>Our Poisoned Land</i> 2022 book by Jacques Pauw

Our Poisoned Land: Living in the Shadows of Zuma's Keepers a 2022 book by Jacques Pauw, a South African investigative journalist, about the allegedly corrupt power networks between the South African government and the country's political elite, most notably the African National Congress (ANC). The book follows on from Pauw's 2017 book The President's Keepers but with greater focus on government institutions not looked at in the previous book and the State Security Agency (SSA). It is updated to include findings from government committees and investigations such as the Zondo Commission. It asks why, after 5 years since the end of the Zuma administration, have most people implicated in state corruption still not been prosecuted and examines efforts to fight corruption in the post-Jacob Zuma ANC government under Cyril Ramaphosa.

References

  1. ↑ https://www.sbs.ox.ac.uk/about-us/people/athol-williams
  2. 1 2 "Athol Williams".
  3. 1 2 WITS Review, January 2012, University of the Witwatersrand
  4. ↑ "Meet the READ to RISE Management Team". Read to Rise. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  5. ↑ "About Us". New Contrast Literary Magazine. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  6. ↑ "Mitchells Plain hosting Cape Flats book festival ahead of National Book Week". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  7. ↑ "WATCH: Athol Williams shakes finance fraternity with public resignation from Bain & Company". www.iol.co.za. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  8. ↑ "Athol Williams leaves Bain just six months after joining". www.consultancy.co.za. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  9. ↑ "NATASHA MARRIAN: Whistleblower spills the beans on Bain". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  10. ↑ "The man who saw through Bain's spin and 5 highlights from 'Vrye Weekblad'". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  11. ↑ Mahlaka, Ray (19 December 2019). "Business Maverick: Athol Williams: 'Bain & Company trying to silence me about its role in State Capture'". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  12. ↑ Buthelezi, Londiwe. "Bain 'fixer' Williams: 'I've been through hell the last 2 months'". Fin24. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  13. ↑ "ex-partner-hired-to-fix-bain-south-africa-turns-against-firm". Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  14. ↑ Natasha Marrian. "Partner that Bain brought in to clear its image now accuses it of attempted cover-up". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  15. ↑ "SARS Commission 2018". www.inqcomm.co.za. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  16. ↑ "Bain denies withholding evidence of alleged SARS wrongdoing | eNCA". www.enca.com. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  17. ↑ "Bain & Company Statement: December 20, 2019". Bain. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  18. ↑ "Day 367". Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State.
  19. ↑ "WATCH LIVE: Athol Williams continues testimony at state capture commission". ewn.co.za. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  20. ↑ Nicolson, Greg (23 March 2021). "DAYS OF ZONDO: Bain & Co planned to work with Zuma to 'reshape SA economy', says former partner Athol Williams". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  21. ↑ "State Capture | I received a lot of threats - Athol Williams | eNCA". www.enca.com. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  22. ↑ "Zondo gives whistleblower Athol Williams a glowing tribute". 4 January 2022.
  23. ↑ Williams, Athol. "EXCERPT | Athol William's 'Deep Collusion': Bain & Co's meetings with Zuma". Life.
  24. ↑ "Public Statement - FORCED TO LEAVE". Athol Williams. 7 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  25. ↑ "Athol Williams: South Africa corruption whistle-blower flees for his life". BBC. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
  26. ↑ "Bain barred from UK state contracts over 'grave misconduct' in South Africa". Financial Times. 2 August 2022.
  27. ↑ "Bain consultancy banned from government work over 'misconduct'". BBC News. 3 August 2022.
  28. ↑ Ralph, Tom Howard. "Consultancy banned from Whitehall work over Zuma corruption claims".
  29. ↑ "'Inspiring others to thrive' - renowned poet, anti-corruption campaigner and academic Athol Williams joins our faculty | Saïd Business School". 15 February 2024.
  30. ↑ "Mr Athol Williams". Archived from the original on 3 October 2023.
  31. 1 2 "Athol Williams awarded Honorary Fellowship".
  32. ↑ "SA poet receives Master's degrees from fifth top university | Cape Times" . Retrieved 29 January 2018.
  33. ↑ The Plainsman, 17 February 2010
  34. ↑ "Interview with Athol Williams » Africa Oxford Initiative". www.afox.ox.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
  35. ↑ LSE Digest (PDF), London School of Economics, 1 August 2013
  36. ↑ "Athol Williams | Saïd Business School".
  37. ↑ "UCT Graduate School of Business". www.gsb.uct.ac.za. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  38. ↑ "PROSPER – US Philosophy Department" . Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  39. ↑ Williams, Athol. "OPINION: The need to build a new South Africa for its 57 million inhabitants". News24. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  40. ↑ "SA's poor bear the burden of Covid-19, says Prof Athol Williams". CapeTalk. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  41. ↑ "Picture books: A great way to encourage children to read". The Mail & Guardian. 12 December 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  42. ↑ Williams, Athol. "Business as usual won't fix youth unemployment, poverty and inequality". Citypress. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  43. ↑ "Six steps for company reparations". www.news.uct.ac.za. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  44. 1 2 "Criminal justice after corporate corruption is just the beginning". BusinessLIVE. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  45. ↑ Williams, Athol (15 October 2018). "OP-ED: What do we want from Bain?". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  46. ↑ "Thought Leader opinion pieces brought to you by the Mail & Guardian". Thought Leader.
  47. ↑ "Athol Williams, Author at Thought Leader".
  48. ↑ "Corporate amends: What is enough?". The Mail & Guardian. 14 March 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  49. ↑ "Living without chaos". The Big Issue South Africa. 25 March 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  50. ↑ Jou naam* (15 February 2012). "AE Ballakisten in conversation with Janet van Eeden". LitNet. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  51. ↑ "theartpress - POETRY BOOKS". theartpress. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  52. ↑ "Fragile". Theart Press. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  53. ↑ Daniels, Nicola. "Poetry blows the whistle on state capture, injustice and GBV in SA". www.iol.co.za.
  54. ↑ "Deep Collusion - Bain and the Capture of South Africa (Paperback)".
  55. ↑ Guy, Duncan. "Join the fight against a 'grave evil' - corruption".
  56. ↑ "Westridge poet launches autobiography - Plainsman". Plainsman. 12 October 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  57. ↑ Williams, Athol (13 October 2016). Pushing Boulders: Oppressed to Inspired (1 ed.). Theart Press. ASIN   B01M3Q1FNX.
  58. ↑ "Non-fiction". Athol Williams. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  59. ↑ Oliphant, Porchia (10 September 2015). "Author uses skills to help uplift others" (PDF). Cape Argus.
  60. 1 2 "theartpress - CHILDRENS BOOKS". theartpress. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  61. ↑ "UCT academic authors free COVID-19 children's book". www.news.uct.ac.za. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  62. ↑ "New free to download picture book helps children understand COVID-19". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  63. ↑ "'Oaky and the Virus' new book teaching children about the lockdown, virus". Good Things Guy. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  64. ↑ "'Oaky and the Virus' a New Book Teaching Children About COVID-19". Inside Education. 2 May 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  65. ↑ "Free books to help children understand COVID-19". ECR. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  66. ↑ Donna Slater (17 April 2020). "Children's author, publisher make Covid-19-awareness book available for free". Engineeringnews.co.za. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  67. ↑ "Oaky in the Playground". Theart Press.
  68. ↑ "Dr Athol Williams".
  69. ↑ "2024 - Highest honour from an Oxford college for Witsie - Wits University".
  70. ↑ "Ethics scholar Athol Williams made Honorary Fellow at University of Oxford's Hertford College | Saïd Business School". 3 July 2024.
  71. ↑ Wolf, Raphael (15 December 2015). "Mitchells Plain academic wins top poetry prize". IOL. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 15 December 2015.
  72. ↑ "2016 Sol Plaatje European Union Poetry Award announced - a second win for Athol Williams". Jacana @ Sunday Times Books LIVE. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  73. ↑ "Radcliffe Science Library | Poetry competition 2016". www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  74. ↑ Africa, PEN South. "South African Independent Publishers | PEN South Africa" . Retrieved 11 June 2021.
  75. ↑ "Info" (PDF). www.westerncape.gov.za. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  76. ↑ "Athol Williams (South Africa) 2022 SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD".
  77. ↑ "AWARDS-The South African Chamber of Commerce".
  78. ↑ "City of Cape Town Council Address". City of Cape Town. 24 August 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2023.
  79. ↑ "Cape Town bravery medal a 'rare ray of light', says whistleblower Athol Williams". Independent Online. 25 August 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.