Belated recognition

IT IS with a sense of satisfaction that, finally, the government is seeing the light and honouring the heroes of the PAC (which was a breakaway group from the ANC).

The apartheid government hardened its attitude towards black leaders immediately after the Sharpeville incident which clearly showed Africans as being not subservient, being able to organise and articulate their demands and protests far beyond their “locations”.

Sobukwe’s intellect, leadership and organisational ability were such a severe threat he had to be imprisoned way after his term, and his banishment to Kimberley caused an uproar.

The international outrage after Sharpeville resulted in the banning of African political parties and their leaders, some of whom were assassinated. De Klerk reversed this in 1990. It was people like Mama Veronica Sobukwe and their families who bore the brunt of the brutality of the security forces, who showed no mercy in dealing with innocent parties.

Mama Sobukwe lives in a simple house in Graaff-Reinet, and I very much doubt many of her neighbours realise her role and importance in the liberation of South Africa. Incidentally, Graaff-Reinet is the home town of many South African trailblazers – Dr Beyers Naude, Dr Rupert and their hotel, The Drostdy.

As for the heroes of Azapo and the PAC, one hopes they will also be honoured with street names and buildings, especially in the newer financial districts of South Africa. In Durban/uMhlanga, I would suggest naming the new Mt Edgecombe/ uMhlanga interchange the Sobukwe interchange.