Robert Sobukwe is one of the legendaries in South African history.
His quest for freedom was evident through his bravery.
Robert Sobukwe stood for the rights of the Africans and opposed the white rule.
Image: instagram.com, @musicstylistSource: UGC
When he was released, he was put on banishment until his death.
His hometwon was Graaff-Reinet in Cape Province.
At the time of his death, he was fifty-three years old.
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Robert Sobukwe education
He attended primary school in his hometown after which he joined Healdtown Institute.
Before Sobukwe became part of the university, he still had not been interested in the country’s politics.
However, when he began his studies about Native Administration, his political interests were aroused.
Image: instagram.com, @vilakazisssSource: UGC
Robert Sobukwe official interest in politics
In 1948, he became part of the ANCYL.
Two years later, he was sacked because of the remarks that he made about the Defiant Campaign.
Luckily, he was reinstated and worked for another two years before he quit.
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A career as a lecturer
In 1954, he got a job as a lecturer.
He taught African Studies, and as a result, he ended up acquiring the name’the Prof'.
In 1957, he served as the editor of a publication called The Africanist.
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This provided him with the forum to criticise the malpractices in the ANC.
In most cases, he would refer to them as’liberal-left-multi-racialists'.
He thought that the country’s future relied on the black people in South Africa.
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On 6th April 1959, during PAC’s congress, he got elected as its first president.
By this time, he had resigned as a lecturer.
He had also relocated his family from their family house in Molofo.
Image: instagram.com, @keatlegile_mSource: UGC
On his way, he was joined by several groups of people who supported the course.
The police also dispersed the marchers using firearms.
As a result, they ended up killing sixty-nine people.
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He was charged with stirring up Africans and revoking the pass laws.
The court sentenced him to serve three years.
Sobukwe did not appeal the verdict.
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Neither did he seek being represented in court.
Interestingly, Sobukwe was the only one who suffered the consequences of the clause.
He was added another six years behind bars, and was moved to Robben Island.
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Robben Island
Sobukwe stayed in confinement in Robben Island.
He, however, was allowed to dress in civilian clothes.
He also had books at his disposal.
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He wrote a request to the Minister of Justice, pleading for his release to take the job offer.
However, the minister did not grant him his plea.
Banishment
In 1969, Robert Sobukwe was finally released.
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He was sent on exile to Kimberly and was under house arrest for 12 hours.
He was also prohibited from taking part in political matters.
One year later, he got a tutoring job offer at the University of Wisconsin in the United States.
The US government had stated that it would give him his visa.
The South African government, however, refused to grant him his passport request.
The government refused to grant him his request.
Because of the severity of his condition, he was referred to Groote Schuur hospital.
While in hospital, Sobukwe was not allowed to be visited by anyone else apart from his family.
After a short stay with the bishop, the government ordered his return to Kimberly.
He would only be allowed to go to Cape Town when he had medical check-ups.
The medics declared that his death had been triggered by complications with his lungs.
He was buried on 11th March 1978 in Graaff-Reinet.
Robert Sobukwe road
This road is situated in Cape Town.
Robert Sobukwe road was named after him in his memory.
Robert Sobukwe books
A couple of publications have been made about the history of Robert Sobukwe.
One of them isLie on your woundswhich you could access by clicking here.
His quotes depicted his bravery.
She graduated from Meru University of Science and Technology with a Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering in 2019.
In 2023, Priscillah finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques.
She has been writing articles on Briefly.co.za since 2019.
Email: pshmueni@gmail.com
