Remembering Rok Ajulu: the life and achievements of a distinguished African scholar
Rok Ajulu was a fearless African intellectual and activist who reshaped political thought. Born in Kenya, he defied oppressive regimes with his sharp mind and activism. Rok Ajulu's legacy bridges East and Southern Africa through transformative teaching and a fearless voice that inspired generations to fight for democracy.
Where I came from generations reproduced themselves by investing in education.
Source: Twitter
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Rok Ajulu was born in 1950 in Dajo Ka Ajulu, Kisumu, Kenya, into a politically active family influenced by his father's activism within the Kenya People's Union.
- Rok Ajulu married Lindiwe Sisulu, South African politician and anti-apartheid daughter of Walter and Albertina Sisulu, in 1996.
- He had five children, including children from past relationships.
- Rok Ajulu died at 66 on December 26, 2016, from pancreatic cancer in Pretoria, South Africa.
Rok Ajul's profile summary
| Full name | Rok Ajulu |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 1950 |
| Date of death | December 26, 2016 |
| Age | 66 years old (as of time of death) |
| Place of birth | Dajo Ka Ajulu, Kisumu, Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Ethnicity | African |
| Father | Ntate Stephen Odero Ajulu |
| Mother | Rosalia |
| Siblings | 12 |
| Relationship status | Married |
| Wife | Lindiwe Sisulu |
| Children | Che Samora Ajulu, Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, Ayanda Sisulu, Olindi Obango, and Vuyo Sisulu |
| Education | University of Nairobi, University of Lesotho, and Sussex University |
| Profession | Lecturer and activist |
A look at Prof Rok Ajulu's biography and early life
Rok Ajulu was born in 1950 in Dajo Ka Ajulu, Kisumu, Kenya, to Rosalia and Ntate Stephen Odero Ajulu, a political activist within the Kenya People's Union. His father's political activism profoundly influenced Rok's history and outlook.
Source: Original
Prof Rok Ajulu's educational background
Ajulu enrolled at the University of Nairobi in the early 1970s. However, he participated in students' anti-government protests, which led to his expulsion in 1975.
Following his expulsion, he was welcomed to study at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania, a move supported by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere, former President of Tanzania and one of the greatest African leaders.
Rok later went to study in Bulgaria, but later transferred to the University of Lesotho. He studied politics and African history and was also involved in activism.
About Rok Ajulu's career
Prof Rok Ajulu held a notable academic and activist career centred on African political economy and international relations. He lectured in many universities across Africa and abroad, according to his family's statement, which read,
Prof Ajulu was a lecturer in Politics and International Relations at the National University of Lesotho (1980-1984), University of Leeds in the UK (1990-1994), Rhodes University in South Africa (1994-2003), University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) South Africa (2003-2007), and the University of South Africa (UNISA) as a research professor (2008-2010).
Rok was an influential scholar of African state and society issues, writing extensively in academic journals and books. Ajulu was also deeply involved in political activism, particularly anti-apartheid, and was known as a pan-Africanist and leftist thinker.
Source: UGC
A look at Rok Ajulu's wife and children
The political activist was married to Lindiwe Sisulu, a prominent South African politician and daughter of anti-apartheid heroes Walter Sisulu and Albertina Sisulu. Rok Ajulu and Lindiwe Sisulu married in 1996 after meeting at the University of Lesotho.
However, the couple kept their life away from public scrutiny, according to a 2006 interview with the Daily Nation. Rok revealed,
My wife would rather run away from the press, as she never grew up in that tradition despite the focus on their family.
However, Rok was Lindiwe Sisulu's second husband. She was previously married to South African economist Xolile Guma in the late 1970s.
Source: Facebook
Who are Rok Ajulu's children?
Rok Ajulu had five children: Che Samora Ajulu, Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, Ayanda Sisulu, Olindi Obango, and Vuyo Sisulu. However, two of their children are from their past relationships.
Ajulu welcomed his daughter, Achieng Ajulu, from a past relationship with a British partner. Lindiwe welcomed her first child, Xoliswa Ayanda, with her first husband, Xolile Guma.
What happened to Rok Ajulu?
Prof Rok Ajulu died on December 26, 2016, due to complications from pancreatic cancer while being treated at Meulmed Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. He had been battling the illness for some time.
When was Rok Ajulu's funeral?
His memorial service was held on January 7, 2017, in Pretoria. He was buried in his home village of Dajo Ka Ajulu in Bondo, Kisumu, Kenya.
In her tribute, his wife, Lindiwe Sisulu, praised him for living life to the fullest. Her tribute read,
You were not born for death my dear husband, you were life itself and you had the capacity to live life to the fullest, defying every convention.
Source: Facebook
Trivia
- His daughter, Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell, is an Olympic gold medallist swimmer.
- Ajulu grew up in Kisumu alongside 12 siblings.
- Despite living in South Africa for decades, Rok turned down an offer to gain citizenship there.
Final word
Rok Ajulu's impact transcended borders, making him an icon of pan-African scholarship. His dedication to justice and knowledge inspired enduring change across the continent.
READ MORE: Story of Lindiwe Sisulu
Briefly.co.za shared an article about Lindiwe Sisulu, a South African politician and former member of the South African parliament, who served from 1994 to 2023.
Sisulu was born in the early 1950s to Walter and Albertina Sisulu, popular anti-apartheid activists. She was married twice, first to Xolile Gumo before marrying Rok Ajulu in 1996.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
