Cde Sibeko It is important that you read Benjamin Pogrand's book on Sobukwe. In my earlier years I was very sceptical of Pogrand, Donald Woods and others who wrote on Sobukwe and Biko. I took it that they were primarily writing a perspective for their white readers and audiences, and were prone to deliberately distorting the images of these great contributors to the African Revolution. The editor of Drum, Stan Motjuwadi, wrote a series of articles about Sobukwe under a banning order in Galeshewe and his interaction with the masses, giving a composite picture of the man. There are titbits by other prominent personalities, including Desmond Tutu, which you would get in their selected writings pasted in shady and dark corners, saying remarkable things about Sobukwe. For me then, only Africans could write better things about Sobukwe. I have since changed from this perspective. Others should be encouraged to research and write about these noble sons and daughters of Africa. They offer a point of view which must be listened to. I am still critical and objective, and will continue to sift facts from thumb-sucking that lazy writers often do to hide their inadequate research. White leftists who are strong on theoretical issues have written positively about Sobukwe in their biographies - next time I should give you references to the published works of prominent Marxists of the time who interacted with Sobukwe, to make my point clear. There are also good academics such as Gail Gerhardt in her book, "Black Power in Southern Africa", who covers the rise and influence of the Africanists line of struggle from thinkers such as Raboroko, AP Mda, Pokela, Sobukwe and their predecessors. There are others who are openly hostile and play up (especially) Sobukwe as a leader with questionable behaviour. In his book, Black Politics Since 1945, Tom Lodge re-invents the circumstances on the morning of 21 March 1960 in which he says Sobukwe was hesitant to step out from his Mofolo home to march with others to Orlando police station. He did not interview Sobukwe's family members to verify this or even talk to his comrades who were awaiting him on the day. This is mere fabrication to depict Sobukwe pejoratively. Lodge also says that Mandela had called on Sobukwe for a meeting to discuss loopholes in the plans for the anti-pass campaign, but on two occasions Sobukwe never pitched up. In "Long Walk to Freedom", Mandela uses a literary devise to show up Sobukwe as weak and unappreciated by fellow political prisoners when they were holed up at Central Prison in Pretoria. Thus far the records of this meeting is only known by Mandela. A lesser known character is very critical of Sobukwe's style of leadership in the aftermath of the Sharpeville massacre and the "No Bail, No Defence, No Fine" dictum applicable to all PAC leaders. Mandela says Sobukwe was unable to give straight answers and as the pressure mounted he had to calm the lesser known character down on Sobukwe's behalf. This propaganda devise in narrating a story says the writer observed or witnessed an event that happened on its own without the writer's influence - but there is no further evidence to verify or support this event. The reader has no recourse butt only the version of the writer. Here Mandela, by spinning a yarn, is merely using the devise to score cheap points. In the rest of the book, Mandela glaringly omits to refer to Sobukwe as the one prisoner on Robben Island prison between the years 1963 and 1969 (among thousand inmates) whom the authorities had said was the only political prisoner they had in captivity and had had foreign diplomats coming to meet with him. Mandela was then not the famous rallying figure among Robben Islanders. He is "tjoepstill" about this matter in the book. If ever there was anyone who is more intellectually dishonest like this, let me know.
Pogrand had a hidden agenda to impose to the public for propaganda purposes a softened view on the bantustan collaboration programme. Sobukwe's wife is acquainted with Mangosuthu Buthelezi because they come from the same area. They also attended Fort Hare. He used this fact to arrange a chance meeting between the two leaders at Greatermans, a departmental store in Johannesburg, and took photos of the banned Sobukwe with Buthelezi for the Rand Daily Mail's front page scoop - as if Sobukwe endorsed the bantustans. Young revolutionaries never forgave Benji for this, and it came to pass that he was forcibly removed from the list of guest speakers at Sobukwe's funeral - and so too was Buthelezi. I do say though that you should read his book. On poisoning, anything happens when you are in captivity. Mothopeng was tortured so badly each time he was detained and arrested I venture to say they knew he wouldn't live long when he was released in 1989. They did not want him to die in their hands. Jaki Seroke From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Subject: RE: [PAYCO] Sobukwe and Witwatersrand University Date: Mon, 7 Feb 2011 14:27:33 +0000 Cde Seroke: The first image Sobukwe looks frail. I have a book by Benji, How can a man die better, I haven’t read the book. But, I have this understanding that the cancer was diagnosed latter. Last week, I watched the documentary of Yasser Arafat and I leant about slow poison that is usually used to eliminate opponents. When we were young, we had this thing that Sobukwe was poisoned. Has it ever been proven ? From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Jaki Seroke Sent: Monday, February 07, 2011 9:59 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [PAYCO] Sobukwe and Witwatersrand University -- Sending your posting to [email protected] Unsubscribe by sending an email to [email protected] You can also visit http://groups.google.com/group/payco Visit our website at www.mayihlome.wordpress.com The information contained in this message and or attachments is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any system and destroy any copies. -- Sending your posting to [email protected] Unsubscribe by sending an email to [email protected] You can also visit http://groups.google.com/group/payco Visit our website at www.mayihlome.wordpress.com -- Sending your posting to [email protected] Unsubscribe by sending an email to [email protected] You can also visit http://groups.google.com/group/payco Visit our website at www.mayihlome.wordpress.com
