GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The late president of the Pan African Congress (PAC) and leader in the liberation struggle, Dr Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe (5 December 1924 - 27 February 1978), was recently honoured at the Botanical Gardens in Graaff-Reinet.
Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum, in partnership with the Sarah Baartman District Municipality, Beyers Naudé Local Municipality, the Robert Sobukwe Trust, and the National Heritage Council, officially partnered in the commemoration of the centenary legacy of Sobukwe, a towering figure in South Africa's liberation struggle.
The event featured keynote addresses, academic lectures, roundtable discussions, and cultural performances celebrating Sobukwe's life and legacy.
The ceremony started with a short service at the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Memorial Church (previously the Methodist Church). Attendees then moved to the gravesite at Santaville for a wreath-laying ceremony with an interfaith prayer by the Reverend Xolisile Gedezana.
There was also an exhibition about the life and times of Sobukwe in the Botanical Gardens.
True honour
Thulasizwe Makhanya of the Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke Institute said the institution has taken a cautious decision to highlight the legacies and history of the forgotten icons such as Sobukwe.
Makhanya said while it is good that families of stalwarts celebrate when their loved ones are honoured through naming of roads, buildings and places, it should go beyond that.
He encouraged families to think about other ways of honouring the icons, such as creating projects and programmes reflecting the heroes' values.
Max Boqwana of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation said it is almost impossible to undertake the journey towards Africa Renaissance without invoking Sobukwe as a beacon of Pan Africanism.
He said they were there to make a solemn commitment to the African Renaissance, inspired by Sobukwe's visionary leadership.
DBNLM Mayor Willem Safers represented by councillor Thembekile Spogter said: "The Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality commit themselves to work together with whoever is interested in ensuring that Robert Sobukwe's legacy does not diminish, and they honour the life and legacy of Robert Sobukwe, a true champion of freedom and equality."
Lindiwe Sisulu, representing the Walter and Albertina Sisulu Foundation, thanked the Minister for Land Affairs and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, for the memorable day that brought them together to honour the heroes, particularly Robert Sobukwe.
The Eastern Cape Provincial Geographical Names Change Committee (ECGNC) secretariat head, Mark Mandita, said that the DSRAC is striving to ensure that the rich cultural tapestry of the province is preserved through standardising place names.
The Minister for Land Affairs and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, gave the keynote address.
His message was that honouring and remembering Sobukwe through name changes and at memorial lectures is praiseworthy, but the greatest honour would be to restore the dignity of this man in our daily actions.
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