News of possible book banning in South Africa makes commentator Mark Mathabane remember a time when he was willing to risk his life to save Shakespeare. At the time, 1976, it was blacks who believed Shakespeare represented the worst of Bantu education and set fire to the library in his town. Mathabane fought to rescue the works of Shakespeare, and overheard the white soldiers mock the idea that blacks should be given the chance to learn at all. (3:45) Mark Mathabane's latest book is Miriam's Song, published by Simon and Shuster, 2000, www.mathabane.com.
Copyright 2001 NPR
