our roots

Young Pheko (left) and younger brother Ramauoane (right), with their aunt who brought them up after
the loss of their parents
An early picture with his wife,
Mrs. Ellen Ntsioua Pheko
found himself in exile. Dr Pheko and the
Smiths moved to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe,
(then South Rhodesia) where they
continued their work. Dr. Pheko and
the Smiths started Daystar Publications
in 1964, which later became Daystar
Communications. They had thought of
growing the institution to a University,
long before the Smiths finally moved to
Kenya.
Dr. Pheko was the Africa Editorial
Director of World Literature Crusade at
one point as Dr. Smith followed up the
establishment of Daystar University in
Kenya. At some juncture, he established
his World Literature Editorial Office
in London. It is from London that he
moved to be representative of the
victims of apartheid in South Africa at
the United Nations in New and at the
UN Commission on Human Rights in
Geneva concurrently. Upon his return
to South Africa from exile he served
as a member of the South African
Parliament with distinction for ten
years. In South Africa he founded a
literature organization called TOKOLOHO
(Freedom) Development Organization.
He has authored several books in
history, politics, theology and law. He
qualified as an Advocate of the High
Court of Zambia as well as Advocate of
the Supreme Court of South Africa. He
holds a B.A. degree from the University
of South Africa, LL.B. from the University
of Zambia, LL.M. degree in International
Law from the University of London
and Doctorate in Jurisprudence from
Kensington University. He continues to
research and study.
Dr. Pheko remembers and
acknowledges the contribution of the
first Vice-chancellor of Daystar University,
Prof. Stephen Talitwala. “Prof. Talitwala
always wrote to me about the progress
in the University. He invited me twice to
Daystar University. The first time it was
me, Dr. D.K. Smith and Mrs. Faye Smith.
In 2003 I visited Daystar University as
speaker at the graduation ceremony”
he said. “ I hope that sooner than later I
may have time to visit Daystar University
which I believe is doing magnificent work in
preparing our youth to advance our African
Continent and serve it with utmost love and
dedication’.
Dr. Pheko has so far authored 28
books, the latest title being ‘WRITING OUR
AFRICA’. In this book he tells the history
of the monthly magazine, Our Africa.
What prompted him to write the book is
because people had become nostalgic of
the magazine; Our Africa.
Dr. Pheko further recounted how
he was imprisoned in South Africa and in
Mozambique and in Southern Rhodesia
(now Zimbabwe) by colonial regimes. The
Rhodesian colonial regime deported him
to Zambia in 1966, where he lived until
1982. His wife loyally accompanied and
supported him in all his migrations. His
two eldest daughters were interestingly
educated in Kenya; Rift Valley Academy
in Kijabe, before they went to the United
States of America. One of his daughters,
Mohau Pheko is currently South African
Ambassador to Japan and formerly to
Canada having worked in New York and
South Africa as an economist, gender
specialist and business woman. Another
daughter, Mamello Pheko is a film maker,
teacher and lawyer and now teaches Law
at the Royal Courts of Justice and has
lived across the world including Japan.
DaystarConnect 2015 • 11