By EVELYNE MUSAMBI

1. He wanted to become a jurist in Islamic law, as his father was the Chief Kadhi of Kenya in the 1940s.

Though his father died when he was aged only 14, Prof Mazrui’s dream to follow his footsteps was hindered by his poor results after secondary school in Mombasa, with other students going to Makerere University for further studies while he was left behind.

2. His first job application was for a bank teller at Barclays, where he failed the urine medical test in 1948, though the diagnosis was later proven to have been wrong.

Prof Mazrui was then hired by a Dutch multinational company, the Twensche Overseas Trading Company in Mombasa, as a managerial trainee, though his tender age denied him an opportunity to be employed after the training.

He later was employed by the Mombasa Institute of Muslim Education (Miome) as a junior clerk and rose to be a boarding master.

SCHOLARSHIP

3. His speech in 1952 in celebration of Prophet Mohammed’s birthday earned him a scholarship.

Prof Mazrui, while still working at Miome, spoke at an event attended by the governor of colonial Kenya, Sir Philip Mitchell. He was later invited to chat with the governor, who asked him about his educational plans.

He spoke of his interest in legal studies and though the governor discouraged him from pursuing law, he recommended him for a scholarship, first at Huddersfield College in the UK to finish his secondary education, then to a British university to study for a bachelor of arts degree.

4. He developed his writing and public-speaking skills through the media.

He worked as a local correspondent for the Mombasa Times and the Arab Guardian along with hosting a weekly half-hour radio show in Sauti ya Mvita.

Read more: The life of Prof Ali Mazrui

Source: Daily Nation