The Year of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, commemorating 45 years since his untimely death, was launched at Robben Island and Chairperson of Robben Island Museum (RIM), Prof Saths Cooper, focuses on this in the Arts Round Up this week.Â
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Prof Saths Cooper explains the context of this 60th anniversary of the incarceration of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe on Robben Island. He served the longest period of practically solitary confinement and kept isolated from all other prisoners. The Year of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe was launched on 3 May 2023, the day he was confined to Robben Island 60 years ago. He was never convicted and kept as a ‘political prisoner’ in terms of laws passed in Parliament. enabling
Prof highlights Sobukwe’s importance in South Africa’s recent history, as leader of the Pan Africanist Congress that called for the protests to the Pass Laws. This ultimately resulted
in the Sharpeville Massacre.
Originally confined to a shack, he was moved to a 2-roomed house that had been specially built. It was there that this year of commemoration was launched…As part of the agenda that day, Professor Cooper, announced the new intergenerational and other offerings to attract especially young people to visit the island and improve Robben Island’s immense historic heritage tourism, globally. And this focus on the youth is the focus of the days leading up to Mandela Day on 18 July. Prof would like to see that day as one when we recall and honour all our heroes from the past. Besides Dennis Goldberg, all the others convicted in the Rivonia Trial were sent to Robben Island.
A visit to Robben Island – a National Heritage Site – will help inform you about Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela and the other struggle heroes.
WHAT:Â The Year of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe
WHERE: Robben Island Museum – departure point: Nelson Mandela Gateway, Clocktower Precinct, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town 8001
INFO: Visit | Tour Schedule | See also Cape Town Green Map | Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe: New Reflections edited by Benjamin Pogrund is a valuable resource
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