Newham remembers legend and pioneering writer Benjamin Zephaniah.
By Neandra Etienne
Launch Party
The announcement of the death of poet and pioneering writer, lyricist and musician Benjamin Zephaniah prompted an outpouring of tributes from people in Newham who had the privilege to know him and were influenced by his work.
Newham Bookshop was one of his favourite places and 20 years ago Zephaniah joined a live studio debate on Channel 4 News, filmed in the bookshop, to discuss why he turned down an OBE.
He said: “I’m in a bookshop full of people, these are the people I write for. I don’t write to impress the Queen, I don’t write to win awards and to get OBE’s and join an Empire’s club.”
Rachel Archer, born and brought up in Newham, the daughter of Vivian Archer manager of the bookshop, said: “He was a great family friend and for most of my childhood was a familiar presence. What started with a friendship with my mum through her bookshop grew into a friendship with the whole family. He attended birthday parties, my school plays, and would call me when I was sick to cheer me up. He was always surrounded by children, he was like a magnet.
“I don’t think I realised he was from Birmingham until I was in my 20s, he was so perfectly sewn into the fabric of my Newham life. It was a great surprise to learn that he was nationally and internationally famous. He was Newham’s poet and he belonged to us!”
Her mother, Vivian, added: “His book signings were legendary with huge queues, he spent time with everyone. So many young people started reading because of him, and learnt a love of poetry. He never flinched from his political principles, he was very outspoken on Empire and conscious of his roots. He was an open and warm human being. Newham is and should
be proud of Benjamin’s love for Newham and its people.”
In 2013 Benjamin wrote of his beloved shop as it celebrated its 35th anniversary: “For 35 years Newham Bookshop has stayed both local and international at the same time, truly reflecting the local people and their ideas. This bookshop has helped the local people pass exams, fall in love, meet authors, become authors, get work experience, get life experience, learn to read, understand Britain, understand the world, understand themselves, and engage in political struggles to liberate themselves and show solidarity with others.”
Political leaders also joined the tributes. Rokhsana Fiaz, Mayor of Newham, said: “Newham has the honour and privilege of being a place where Benjamin Zephaniah excelled with his creativity, deepened connections through beautiful friendships and cemented a loving bond with our Borough because of its diversity.
“Benjamin moved to Newham in 1980 and got stuck-in across a range of social justice initiatives including housing, food and
child-care co-operatives. It was in Newham where he was able to publish his first book of poetry, Pen Rhythm. As he rests in peace, we will never forget his power.”
Sir Stephen Timms, Labour MP for East Ham since 1994 said of him: “A remarkable man – loved having him living in Newham. His is a joyful and fantastic legacy.”
Discover Story Centre, another of his favourite spots in Newham, said: “Our team is incredibly sad to hear the news about Benjamin Zephaniah. “We are lucky to have many treasured memories of Benjamin over the years — from touring our building over 20 years ago when Discover was just an idea to celebrating our opening day in 2003 and sharing conversations with local children from our Children’s Forum Paul Romane, the Local Musician, Poet, Artist and Filmmaker, had personal memories of a close relationship.
Paul Romane
He said: “Benjamin and I went back over 40 years. We were both members of The Whole Thing/ Page One Co-operative. My first job when I joined in the early ‘80s was collating Benjamin’s first book Pen Rhythms with Derek Smith upstairs at 53 West Ham Lane E15. I was a budding musician at the time and we would do a few gigs on the same bill before he started getting the bigger gigs. Whenever I did some recording I’d ask him to record something with me and he never said no. When he
released a new book we would sometimes go out flyposting in Hackney with a pot of glue and some of his posters.
“In 2006 my late partner Tersia was ill with cancer and Benjamin was kind to her and gave us respite. When she was dying she asked him, on her deathbed, to mentor our son, Otis and to write a poem for her funeral. He said he’d never done poems for funerals, even his family, but he did it.
“After her passing I asked him to record a poem. He suggested his Stephen Lawrence poem which at the time he hadn’t recorded. We recorded it in Capel Rd, Forest Gate in 2012. I will miss him and his enormous presence, thank you Benjamin for the part you played in my family’s life…go in peace my friend.”
Another friend, the writer, artist and activist Zita Holbourne, said: “He was my neighbour, we worked together on campaigns and actions for equality, justice, rights. To mark an anniversary of the British Council a poetry concert was organised at Theatre Royal Stratford East and a group of six local primary school children, which included my son, were selected to perform two poems Benjamin and I wrote. Their performance at the Theatre was a huge hit and when asked what was his top highlight throughout his time at primary school, my son wrote about that master-class with Benjamin.
Zita Holbourne
Another favourite spot in Newham was The Wanstead Tap. Remembering his visit on 7 December 2018 They said: “For anyone who was lucky enough to see Benjamin Zephaniah that night at the Tap, it will surely be a night they will never forget. He spoke to and for everyone who packed our small arch, packed so tightly hanging off his every word. Switching between laughter and tears, rage and inspiration Benjamin for that 75 minutes showed us all how to be better people, how to laugh and cry and see the good in people through his poetry, his infectious laughter and his belief in the power of words. Unforget-
table and so sorely missed.”
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