Timeslive have published an extract from Mamphela Ramphele’s new book, divulging details of her love affair with the late Steve Biko. She mentions a love triangle of sorts.

According to Timeslive:

In her newly released autobiography, A Passion for Freedom, Ramphele retraces her life’s journey from rural Limpopo to the World Bank.

In addition to describing her battles against apartheid and sexism, she writes extensively about her “triangular relationship” with Biko, whom she met at the University of Natal Medical School in 1969.

Ramphele says she found herself at an emotional crossroads where she could either marry her “first serious boyfriend”, Dick Mmabane, or surrender her heart to Biko.

“In the second half of 1969 it became increasingly difficult to resist Steve’s advances. I fell hopelessly in love with him, but would not even admit this to myself. We conducted a semi-platonic friendship which frequently ‘degenerated’ into passion.

“I became increasingly distressed at my dilemma. How could I desert Dick after all these years, particularly after his mother’s death? I could not bear the thought of hurting him. But what of my passionate love for Steve?”

She married Mmabane but the two separated a year later.

Though Biko was married, he hand-delivered a love letter to Ramphele while his wife was on maternity leave.

What happened next? Oooh, you’ll have to click here to read more!

Is that it? Not really as intimate as we had hoped. Unless they were they referring to the mention of ‘Dick’ here and there?