Struggle icon to be honoured

FOUR decades after his death, the contribution made by Robert Sobukwe will be remembered and acknowledged in Kimberley today when the Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and the Sol Plaatje University’s School of Humanities, in conjunction with Sol Plaatje Municipality, visit the struggle icon’s home and offices in Galeshewe, before conducting a public lecture.

Founder of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) and African Studies lecturer at Wits University, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe died on February 27, 1978 at the Kimberley Hospital, having played an integral part in defending the rights of many South Africans in the city through his legal practice at House Number 6, Naledi Street, Galeshewe.

“This year marks the 40th anniversary since the passing of a giant and defender of the human rights of Africans during the oppressive apartheid regime,” said department spokesperson, Conrad Fortune.

Today’s main proceedings, from 3pm, will be centred around the struggle stalwart’s home and offices at what is today known as the Mayibuye Precinct.

This visit will be followed by a public lecture, delivered by the Reverend Professor Tshepo Lephakga from the Department of Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology at the University of South Africa in Pretoria.

“It will be held in Auditorium C113 at the Sol Plaatje University from 6pm,” said Fortune.

“All the activities will be graced by the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Bongiwe Mbinqo Gigaba, and the executive mayor of Sol Plaatje Municipality, Mangaliso Matika.”