GOVAN MBEKI
Imprisoned for Life
(Original biographical information included with his bracelet in 1985)
Govan Mbeki was born in 1910 and is a member of the African National Congress (ANC). He was tried in the Pretoria Supreme Court from October 1963 to June 1964 along with Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Ahmed Kathrada and others in the ‘Rivonia Trial’. He was charged under the Sabotage and Suppression of Communism Acts, with campaigning to overthrow the government by violent revolution, and with assisting the armed invasion of the country by foreign troops. The charge sheet listed 193 acts of sabotage allegedly carried out by persons recruited by the accused in their capacity as members of the High Command of Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of the Nation). Umkhonto we Sizwe is the military wing of the ANC. During his trial, Mbeki refused to plead guilty as he said he did not feel any moral guilt could be attached to his actions. Mbeki was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment which he is serving on Robben Island.
Mbeki was born in the Transkei. He was a journalist, teacher, and political leader. He graduated from Fort Hare University College in 1936 with a B.A. degree in politics and psychology, and a diploma in education. In 1941, he was secretary of the African Voters Association in the Transkei. H was a co-author of ‘African Claims’, a basic policy document for the ANC. He was Port Elizabeth editor of New Age and Spark, and member of the board of directors of The Guardian before these newspapers were banned. He returned to teaching in 1954, but was dismissed for his opposition to government policies. Subsequently he devoted his time and attention to building up the organization of the ANC. He was an expert on rural problems, particularly in the Transkei. He was author of The Transkei in the Making, and South Africa: The Peasants’ Revolt. In 1956, he became National Chairman of the ANC and a member of the Joint Committee of the Congress Alliance. During the State of Emergency in 1960, he was detained for five months. In 1962, he was arrested, charged under the Explosives Act, and acquitted. In 1963, he was served with banning and house arrest orders. He then went underground and was appointed to the High Command of Umkhonto We Sizwe. He was arrested at Rivonia with other underground leaders in June 1963.
In 1970, Mbeki obtained an honors degree in economics through study in prison. In 1978, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Amsterdam in Holland.
Mbeki is married with three sons and one daughter.
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The source of this biographical information is International Defence and Aid Fund’s book, Prisoners of Apartheid, 1978. We appreciate their permission to use this material.
Mbeki was born in the Transkei. He was a journalist, teacher, and political leader. He graduated from Fort Hare University College in 1936 with a B.A. degree in politics and psychology, and a diploma in education. In 1941, he was secretary of the African Voters Association in the Transkei. H was a co-author of ‘African Claims’, a basic policy document for the ANC. He was Port Elizabeth editor of New Age and Spark, and member of the board of directors of The Guardian before these newspapers were banned. He returned to teaching in 1954, but was dismissed for his opposition to government policies. Subsequently he devoted his time and attention to building up the organization of the ANC. He was an expert on rural problems, particularly in the Transkei. He was author of The Transkei in the Making, and South Africa: The Peasants’ Revolt. In 1956, he became National Chairman of the ANC and a member of the Joint Committee of the Congress Alliance. During the State of Emergency in 1960, he was detained for five months. In 1962, he was arrested, charged under the Explosives Act, and acquitted. In 1963, he was served with banning and house arrest orders. He then went underground and was appointed to the High Command of Umkhonto We Sizwe. He was arrested at Rivonia with other underground leaders in June 1963.
In 1970, Mbeki obtained an honors degree in economics through study in prison. In 1978, he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Amsterdam in Holland.
Mbeki is married with three sons and one daughter.
___________
The source of this biographical information is International Defence and Aid Fund’s book, Prisoners of Apartheid, 1978. We appreciate their permission to use this material.