Lie on your wounds: The prison correspondence of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe

The book "Letters of Robert Sobukwe" provides a unique access to the voice of Robert Sobukwe, showcasing his storytelling abilities and his commitment to African liberation. Despite his significant contributions to the anti-apartheid struggle, Sobukwe has been neglected in post-apartheid South Africa. The letters evoke the conditions of his imprisonment and his unwavering dedication to the cause. As the political landscape shifts and new perspectives emerge, Sobukwe is being reevaluated and his legacy is being reassessed.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 592 pages
\n Publication date: 01 January 2019
\n Publisher: Wits University Press
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This book, comprising approximately 300 letters, provides unparalleled access to the voice of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe, a visionary political leader and the first President of the Pan-Africanist Congress. Regrettably, Sobukwe's memory has been neglected in post-apartheid South Africa, despite his pivotal role in the anti-apartheid struggle. In 1960, Sobukwe led the Anti-Pass Protests, which culminated in the Sharpeville Massacre, a significant turning point in the eventual demise of apartheid. Despite his immense promise for the liberation of South Africa, Sobukwe has been consistently marginalized in histories of the liberation struggle. Jailed for nine years, including a six-year period of near-complete solitary confinement on Robben Island, Sobukwe was silenced throughout his life, a condition that has extended into the post-apartheid present. This has led to him being better known during rather than after apartheid.

Sobukwe's antagonistic relations with white liberalism and the African National Congress (ANC), whom he believed had betrayed the principles of African Nationalism, have contributed to his marginalization. However, with the changing political climate of recent years, the decline of the ANC's hegemonic hold on power, the re-emergence of Black Consciousness and Africanist political discourse, the growth of student activism, and the increasing recognition of the contributions of marginalized groups to the struggle for liberation, Sobukwe's legacy is being reevaluated.

The letters contained in this book offer a profound insight into Sobukwe's life, thoughts, and political convictions. They reveal his storytelling abilities, showcasing his ability to convey the complexity of a man who defied easy categorization. More than this, they serve as testimony to the desolate conditions of Sobukwe's imprisonment and to his unwavering commitment to the cause of African liberation. Sobukwe's letters paint a vivid picture of the struggles and hardships he faced while in captivity, as well as his unwavering belief in the power of the African people to overcome oppression and achieve self-determination.

Despite the challenges he faced, Sobukwe remained a fierce advocate for African nationalism and the rights of the African people. He believed in the importance of self-reliance and the development of African economies, and he criticized the Western world for its exploitation and colonialism of Africa. Sobukwe's political philosophy was rooted in the principles of Africanism, which emphasized the unity and diversity of the African continent and the need for Africans to reclaim their cultural and political identity.

Sobukwe's legacy continues to inspire and influence contemporary African politics and society. His commitment to the cause of African liberation and his unwavering belief in the power of the African people have resonated with generations of activists and scholars. The marginalization of Sobukwe in post-apartheid South Africa is a testament to the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality in the country.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable resource for understanding the life and political thought of Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe. It sheds light on the neglected legacy of a man who played a crucial role in the anti-apartheid struggle and whose ideas continue to be relevant in contemporary African politics. Sobukwe's letters offer a glimpse into the struggles and hardships he faced while in captivity, as well as his unwavering commitment to the cause of African liberation. They serve as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for social justice and equality in South Africa and the importance of recognizing the contributions of marginalized groups to the history of the liberation struggle.

\n Weight: 906g\n
Dimension: 157 x 235 x 35 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781776142408\n \n