MaSobukwe ran a good race
Africa is robbed of a shining light
Her dream was a simple one... a dream of an African mother yearning for a decent life for her children, yearning for a tomorrow that dignified our history, our struggles and our achievements.
Hers was a life well lived and her passing robs Africa of the light that sustained us through the dark years of Struggle against colonialism, imperialism, capitalism as well as our own self-hate as Africans.
At about 4am on Wednesday, Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe, known to millions across this country as the Mother of Azania, passed away.
Her legacy will no doubt be watered down by the neo-liberal media over the coming weeks, however, the rich tapestry of her life and struggles will not be forgotten as we “remember Africa, and remember our tomorrows”.
About 69 years ago, a young Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, as the president of the Student Representative Council at University of Fort Hare put forth a powerful address to the assembled student body.
In his delivery he remarked: “That Africa never forgets. And these martyrs of freedom, these young and budding women will be remembered and honoured when Africa comes into her own.”
Little did he realise that his words would be memorialised, not only in reference to then young nurses engaged in an ongoing strike at the Victoria Hospital in Lovedale, but equally to the woman who would come to be known as the Mother of Azania more than a half-century later.
His address was not circumscribed by the parochial but necessary battles for better living and working conditions, and this is borne out when further in that same address, he stated with crystal clarity: “We are seeing today the germination of the seeds of decay inherent in capitalism; we discern the first shoots of the tree of socialism.”
And right there he placed himself on a divergent path to the kowtow politics of the ANC. His was a mind that was never going to be intellectually servile, and his uncompromising ideals, passion and humanism would quickly earn him enemies not only among the imperialist/colonial rulers, but equally among those whose “... thoughts are those of a slave”.
Essentially, he became public enemy number one as was evidenced by the enactment of the infamous “Sobukwe Clause” (General Law Amendment Act no. 37 of 1963). That enmity has dogged the Sobukwe name until this very day.
MaSobukwe, in her own quiet manner, nurtured our Struggle and served her community all her life and held dear the ideals of Pan Africanism as did her martyred husband.
She never claimed any fake special status, as do many across the political spectrum. She lived a humble life as is the daily lot for many millions, but she did this with dignity and grace as she carried her daily burdens like many around her in the township, where she lived.
There are many, many MaSobukwes across the length and breadth of this land, yet accolades, wealth and fame goes only to those who willingly give their souls to the myth of an ANC liberatory 1994 “democratic construct that owes its existence to white monopoly capital”.
Her steadfast determination to never surrender to the false lure of shabby materialism and meaningless social stature and glitz must reflect for us an example of “a 101 guide to dignity and liberation”.
How could we refuse to accept such valuable knowledge, guidance and lessons in African self-respect as we reflect on a life well lived.
She understood the message encapsulated in the epistle of Mangaliso Sobukwe and like a true disciple embraced it.
Can we too be like her and in the closing chapters of our ordinary lives be counted as converts to the cause of liberation for Azania.