We join the world in congratulating Lewis Hamilton for his win at the weekend which made him officially the fastest car driver in the world. Lewis is the youngest and first black person to win the Formula One grand prize.

We join the world in congratulating Lewis Hamilton for his win at the weekend which made him officially the fastest car driver in the world. Lewis is the youngest and first black person to win the Formula One grand prize.

In a perfect world, Hamilton's victory would have been a sporting event. But ours is not such a world. Blackness still carries with it an unfortunate baggage such as having to prove oneself beyond the ordinary requirements, some of these self-created by black people themselves.

We salute Hamilton for sending a message to all young people of the world, especially those from marginalised societies, saying that with enough willpower, talent and support, all of us can be anything we dream of.