Last Word

Original version

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

BBC Radio 4

Radio 4

Radio 4 (FM)

Factual: Life Stories

Radio 4's weekly obituary programme, telling the life stories of those who have died recently

BBC Radio 4 LW

Last Word: Chester Williams, Sheikh Yusuf Motala, Jan Ruff O’Herne, Ric Ocasek

20/09/2019

Chester Williams, Sheikh Yusuf Motala, Jan Ruff O’Herne, Ric Ocasek

BBC Radio 4 - Last Word, Chester Williams, Sheikh Yusuf Motala, Jan Ruff O’Herne, Ric Ocasek

Matthew Bannister on an Islamic scholar, a rugby player, a campaigner and a rock star.

Matthew Bannister on Islamic scholar Sheikh Yusuf Motala, rugby player Chester Williams, campaigner Jan Ruff O'Herne and rock star Ric Ocasek.

Pictured: Chester Williams

Matthew Bannister on

Sheikh Yusuf Motala who founded the first traditional Islamic seminary in the UK, and trained hundreds of Imams.

Chester Williams, the only black rugby player in the South African team that won the World Cup in 1995.

Jan Ruff O'Herne who was forced to work in a brothel by the Japanese army during the war. She kept her story secret for fifty years, but ended her life campaigning against the use of rape as a weapon of war.  

Ric Ocasek, the singer who wrote many hits for the American rock band The Cars, including 'Drive' and 'My Best Friend's Girl'.


Interviewed guest: Innes Bowen
Interviewed guest: Dr Riyaz Timol 
Interviewed guest: Carol Ruff
Interviewed guest: Garth Cartwright

Producer: Neil George 

Archive clips from: Sunday, Radio 4 15/09/2019; Australian Story: Australian Comfort Woman Jan Ruff O'Herne, ABC 2001; Chester Williams - Champion of a New South Africa, Real Rugby 10/08/2016; Outlook, BBC World Service 14/10/2015; South Africa win the 1995 RWC, World Rugby  04/05/2016; Speedster Williams bags four tries on debut, World Rugby 14/09/2015; Invictus, directed by Clint Eastwood, Warner Bros 2009; Nelson Mandela & Francois Pienaar moment at RWC 1995, World Rugby 24/06/2015; Entertainment Tonight, Syndicated 1985.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Last Word

Chester Williams, Sheikh Yusuf Motala, Jan Ruff O’Herne, Ric Ocasek

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 4 FM

About BBC Radio 4