The Northern Cape Provincial Administration has committed to honour the legacy of the late founder of Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe. The MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture Ms. Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba has laid wreaths at Sobukwe's house and at his office both at Galeshewe township on Tuesday, 27 February 2018. The move was part of provincial government's commemoration of Sobukwe's 40th anniversary since his passing at the Kimberley Hospital in 1978. It preceded the Robert Sobukwe Memorial Lecture which was held at Sol Plaatje University that same evening.
MEC Mbinqo-Gigaba was accompanied by Sol Plaaje University's Professor Patrick Fitzgerald together with councillor Mpho Moshweu from the local Sol Plaatje Municipality and other stakeholders. Councillor Moshweu says Sobukwe was a towering giant who has done a lot for South Africans. “This year marks the 40th anniversary since the passing of a giant and defender of the Human Rights of Africans during the oppressive apartheid regime. The founder of PAC and African Studies lecturer at Wits University. Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe who died on the 27th February 1978 at the Kimberley Hospital, having played an integral part in defending the rights of many South Africans in the city through his legal practice at House Number 6, Naledi Street, Galeshewe". said Mpho Mosweu.
Robert Sobukwe was banished to Kimberley by the apartheid government in 1969. He was however never deterred from fighting the system as he started a law operation. Councillor Moshweu says the Sol Plaatje Municipality will use Sobukwe's house to strengthen the city's tourism and teach youngsters about this legend. "It must be joyful moment to the people of Sobantu to see that they are not forgotten, and Sobukwe's house is still being visited. Sobukwe's house should be considered as a monument where school children can visit and learn about the late icon, we also urge the family to kindly open doors and allow tour guides to bring tourists to their house."
Although government is conceding to challenges hindering the preservation of Sobukwe's legacy, MEC Mbinqo-Gigaba says consultation process for renaming of the Kimberley Hospital where Sobukwe took his last breath is unfolding. “We do concede that a lot needs to be done, but Robert Sobukwe they got a trust which is Robert Sobukwe Trust that we are also in negotiation with, of course we will be working with the trust to see how we can assist young people particularly that want to be lawyers in the future.”said MEC Mbinqo-Gigaba.
Stakeholders encouraged the community to become custodians of Sobukwe's legacy. The call is made amidst deteriorating conditions of Robert Sobukwe's office building which sits at historical site of the 1952 Mayibuye uprisings.