Biko Foundation honours PAC founder Sobukwe

By Lulamile Feni

KING WILLIAM'S TOWN -- The Steve Biko Foundation (SBF) is to honour the PAC's first president and founder, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, for his contribution to the liberation struggle and for sparking the idea of African nationalism.

"We hope that all political organisations can go beyond their differences and help us make this a truly national tribute," SBF director Xolela Mangcu said.

The SBF, in partnership with Fort Hare University, is to host a Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Symposium at the university on March25.

Internationally renowned author Es'kia Mphahlele is expected to deliver the keynote address.

The symposium is part of the year-long programme called the "Sobukwe Trail", which will travel countrywide with the theme, "What did Sobukwe say?".

"By this theme we want to retrieve Sobukwe's message for contemporary discussions and Africa's renewal," Mangcu said.

After passing matric at Healdtown in Fort Beaufort, Sobukwe graduated with a BA degree from the University of Fort Hare in 1949.

The honour to be bestowed coincides with the 25th anniversary of his death. He died of lung cancer in Kimberley Hospital on February27, 1978.

Mangcu said Sobukwe had been neglected in political history and it was high time his memory was replaced in the centre of the present process of nation-building.

Sobukwe is the first person other than Steve Biko to be honoured by the SBF.

After the symposiums, many activities will be held countrywide throughout the year mostly in places with which Sobukwe was directly associated.

These include Standerton, where he taught after graduating from Fort Hare; Witwatersrand University, where he lectured; Robben Island, where he was incarcerated for nine years; and Kimberley, where he was under a five-year banning order and kept under house arrest until his death.

The programme started last week with the reunion of Steve Biko's family, led by his widow Ntsiki, and Sobukwe's family, led by his widow Zodwa, in Graaff-Reinet -- Sobukwe's hometown, where he was born and buried.

"Sobukwe's distinctive role in the liberation struggle was cherished by many. He laid the basis for the black consciousness movement.

"He is one of the founding fathers of African nationalism and African identity. His ideas shaped all our identities," Mangcu said.

Sobukwe believed there was only one race to which all people belonged -- the human race.

The PAC provincial leadership welcomed the SBF's effort to honour Sobukwe.

"Sobukwe did not only belong to the PAC -- he belonged to the country as a whole," said PAC provincial leader Zingisa Mkabile yesterday.

"He had an immense influence on Steve Biko and the black consciousness ideology. It is a fitting tribute."

The PAC is to hold Sobukwe commemoration rallies from Saturday.