The roads to fame
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.None of the councils and universities which named streets, conference rooms and even a student bar after Nelson Mandela probably ever imagined the day when he would arrive in Britain as president of his country.
At the time the Mandela name carried the status of a myth. Nobody had seen him since the 1960s, and the British taboo on creating memorials to living politicians hardly seemed applicable. Yet here he is.
Mr Mandela's state visit, however, is simply likely to enhance his position as a secular saint, a living symbol of South Africa's redemption from apartheid, after whom it is entirely appropriate to dignify muncipal and educational facilities.
But there is an irony here: in South Africa the predicted rush to attach his name to every avenue and airport formerly entitled after the heroes of white supremacy has not materialised.
Mr Mandela has shown admirable reluctance to allow this - unlike neighbouring Zimbabwe, for example, where the main street of every city and town in the country is now named after President Robert Mugabe.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments