Before Thomas Sankara of Bukina Faso, there was Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe. Those of you who wr at Duma Boko lunch will remember MP James Mathokgwane narrating this story... SOBUKWE THE DISTINGUISHED REVOLUTIONARY PACE-SETTER It will be remembered that Sobukwe was a lecturer in a privileged white university in South Africa, the Witwatersrand. But he insisted on travelling third class in the train when going to work or from work. He avoided second class like a plague. A few months after he was elected President of the Pan Africanist Congress, Sobukwe faced a major personal crisis. He was offered a lectureship post at the Rhodes University with equal pay and status to whites. This meant economic security and a position few Africans could hope to attain in South Africa. But Rhodes University made it clear that acceptance of the position also meant non-participation in politics. Sobukwe responded to this tempting but compromising offer by not only rejecting it, but resigning from Witwatersrand University to lead his people in the struggle for freedom and independence. His white privileged students at Wits were puzzled. How can you turn down such an offer and even resign from this university? they asked. Sobukwe answered his privileged students by telling them a story: Once upon a time a hungry starving wolf left the forest and approached the village of man. On the way it met a sleek, contented dog. Brother, how come that you are so sleek and happy when I am and discontented? asked the wolf. The dog replied, I live with a family. My master feeds me well and I do not work at all. I play with my masters children the whole day long. They love me very much. Why dont you join me and be sleek and happy too? Will your master and his family love me too? asked the wolf, for food. Oh yes, replied the dog Let us go, the dog said. On the way, the wolf noticed a scar on the dogs neck. Hey! What is that scar on your neck? he asked. Oh, laughed the dog, that is nothing. It was caused by the chain. You see at night I am chained. But that does not worry me, the dog added hastily, because it is nothing and I am well fed and cared for! You are chained at night?! asked the wolf, alarmed. Then thank you for your food. I am accustomed to freedom in the forest where I roam. I cannot exchange my freedom for chains and a full belly. The hungry wolf went back to the forest. It is where Sobukwe went after resigning from the University of Witwatersrand. He led his people through the Pan Africanist Congress which launched the positive action campaign against the pass laws in 1960. For 18 years after that historic campaign, Sobukwes residence was jail in Pretoria and Robben Island and restrictions and house arrest in Kimberly and death. That was the price he was prepared to pay for the freedom and liberation of his people. (In a book THE LAND IS OURS, THE POLITICAL LEGACY OF MANGALISO SOBUKWE written by Dr. Motsoko Pheko)
Posted on: Sun, 07 Dec 2014 21:18:57 +0000
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