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Robert Sobukwe

The family of PAC struggle icon Robert Sobukwe say they are thankful for a government project that will bring hope to the young people in his home town, Graaff-Reinet, and that government has finally started to honour his legacy.

"Government should have done more for our grandfather Robert Sobukwe. But then, we appreciate what they have done, even though it took them years to honour him. At least now there is something named after him in his home town,” said Nelisa Sobukwe, Robert Sobukwe's granddaughter.

She was speaking at a ceremony organised by the Department of Transport, Roads and Public Works where a piece of land was donated to the Robert Sobukwe Trust for a Memorial Museum and an educational centre.

This was coupled with the announcement of an outreach programme by the Eastern Cape government — an initiative that the young people in Graaff-Reinet welcomed enthusiastically.

The MEC of Transport, Roads and Public Works, Thandiswa Marawu yesterday announced more projects aimed at alleviating poverty in Graaff Reinet.

The mayor of the Camdeboo municipality Hanna Makhoba said she was confident that the programme will help the youth rise above unemployment and poverty.

"In 2010 we had 42% of people who depended on welfare and 50% depended on pension and government grants for survival. This outreach programme will assist the municipality in reducing unemployment which is a great concern,” she said.

So far, seven traffic officers were trained during the programme. Two car wash projects were identified and yesterday received more equipment and detergents.

The construction of the museum will also benefit the community with nine students from the National Youth Services who have been trained as carpenters, brick layers and electricians and others who are given a chance to work on the landscaping.

Sobukwe’’s grandson Tshepo thanked the Eastern Cape government for honouring his grandfather and also empowering the people from Graaff Reinet.

"My grandfather was not a God, he was a person who believed in himself - that is why he was able to accomplish so much. The youth of today can actually learn a lot from him.

"My grandmother Veronica Sobukwe, 85, has kept the legacy of my grandfather alive. She has also served and suffered for this country, it's just sad that she has not received the same recognition as my grandfather,” he said, to the applause of those who attended the event at Alex Laing Community Hall in Kroonvale, Graaff Reinet.

Sobukwe’’s wife Veronica said she was very grateful that the government still remembered her husband’’s work in South Africa.

“My husband was respected by all those who knew him because he also respected and listened to people, something that the youth of today should also learn to do. I am glad that there is also going to be an educational centre which will ensure that the youth of this town are also educated so that one day they can develop their small town,” she said.

The MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works, Thandiswa Marawu said that her department decided to donate a piece of land to the Camdeboo municipality to the Sobukwe Trust for the museum and educational centre.

"By donating the land we want to give the people of this municipality hope and also to make sure that Sobukwe’’s achievements and legacy does not go down the drain.

"The youth should be able to go to the museum and see what kind of a person Sobukwe was and they should also be able to pursue their studies — something that Sobukwe strongly believed in ,” she said.

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Sat May 25 16:32:36 SAST 2013 ::

Jul 5, 2012

BokFan

Graaf Reinet's greatest son.

Pity the anc stole his entire legacy of dedication, commitme
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Jul 5, 2012

BokFan

As i was saying
........dedication, commitment and integrity.


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Jul 5, 2012

WakeUpSouthAfrica

Urg, if I hear about another 'freedom fighter' who died and is being honored, Im going to vommit.
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Jul 5, 2012

Kgaoza606

I'm still very much angry at the previous apartheid regime for denying the world the knowledge, wisdom and bravery of this true freedom fighter, Robert Sibukwe, by destroying archive footages of this giant that were captured. Many people only know his name as a result and have been robbed of the history of how he fought against apartheid. This man was so vibrant that some leaders then even thought he was more dangerous to them than the power Mandela had, and that's when they decided to isolate him even from meeting with the likes of Oliver Tambo,Madiba,etc.
Still feel sad to this day how we were robbed of the history and experience of this extraordinary late leader, and I'm glad the government is paying respect in his recognition!!!
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Jul 5, 2012

Grela

my home town Grela @ last.
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Jul 5, 2012

MommaC

Finally!
A fitting legacy for a man who was passionate about living with pride.
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Jul 5, 2012

Kuch

Finally,his hard work is being recognised......
It's just a pitty the ANC is shining on his shine
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Jul 5, 2012

KILLERa1111

The first time Biko saw Robert Sobukwe he sai " GOD is here" He had so much respect for the man..Robert Sobukwe is in the league of Chief Albert Luthuli.
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Jul 5, 2012

Africanism

@WakeUpSouthAfrica
Urg, if I hear about another 'freedom fighter' who died and is being honored, Im going to vommit.

Very stupid comment and if u don't have anything to write on stop commenting please because you're a shame.
RobertSobukwe was a selfless leader who wanted to make sure that the land and the mineral wealth beneath the soil, the Banks and monopoly industry shall be transferred to the ownership of the people as a whole.His ideals on Nationalisation and expropriation of land without compesation still relevant today as we have witnessed the ANC policy conference. You're such person who nbis afraid of the unknown and SA is the only country which does not have control over minerals because of S 25 of the constitution.

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Jul 5, 2012

BokFan

@Africanism

By now the great Sobukwe would have changed his opinion on the issues of a land handout and state control of the economy as have many other leaders who came to see the error in their thinking. Sadly he died before he could do so.
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