Robert Sobukwe

1924-1978

Early Years

Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe was born in Graaff-Reinet in the Cape Province in 1924. He came from a poor household and was educated locally. He attended a Methodist college at Heldtown and later Fort Hare University where he joined the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) in 1948.

Mainstream Politics

In 1952 Sobukwe achieved notoriety backing the Defiance Campaign. He identified with the Africanists within the ANC and in 1957 left the ANC to become Editor of The Africanist newspaper in Johannesburg. He was a strong believer in an Africanist future for South Africa and rejected any model suggesting working with other than blacks in RSA. He later left the ANC and formed the Pan African Congress (PAC), where he was elected its first President in 1959.

Robert Sobukwe became known as the Professor, to his close compatriots and followers. This being witness to his educational achievements and powers of speech.

Internment

On 21 March 1960; he led a march to the local Police station at Orlando in order to openly defy the Pass Law. He was joined on route by a few followers and after presenting his pass to a police officer; he purposely made himself guilty under the terms of the Pass Law.(Being present in a region/area other that that as allowed in his papers.) As a result Sobukwe, and most of those present were arrested.

He was sentenced to three years and after serving his sentence was immediately captured and re-imprisoned this time on Robben Island.

Sobukwe was indeed held without trial under the terms of the General Law Amendment Act for a further six years. His charge was incitement, this procedure became known as the "Sobukwe clause"

Robben Island

Sobukwe was kept in solitary confinement but permitted certain privileges including books, newspapers civilian clothes, bread etc. He lived in a separate area on the Island where he had no contact to other prisoners. The only contacts were his secret hand signals whilst outside for exercise. He studied during this time and received among others a degree in economics from the University of London

Speculation

It is speculated that the RSA administration had profiled Robert Sobukwe as a more radical and difficult opponent as the regular ANC prisoners.

Kimberley

Sobukwe was released in 1969

He was allowed to live in Kimberley with his family but remained under house arrest. Kimberly it was suggested was an area where he could not easily subvert to insurgent activities and also a place where he could live and work, whilst being easily monitored by the state. He also was restricted due to a banning order, which disallowed political activities.

Various restrictions barred Sobukwe from travelling overseas thus curtailing his attempts at furthering his education. He also for the same reason turned down several positions as a teacher at various locations in the US.

Refusal

Robert Sobukwe refused to be totally tied down so to say, and finished his Law degree with the help of a local lawyer, in Galeshewe. On completion he then started his own practice in 1975 in Kimberley

Illness

Due to lung cancer, he was hospitalised in 1977. His doctors requested that the authorities allow him freedom of movement on humanitarian grounds. This request was refused.

Robert Sobukwe passed away on 27 February 1978.