Struggle stalwart, Mama Zondeni Sobukwe, has died at the age of 91. Affectionately known as Mother of Azania, she was the wife of Pan Africanist Congress founder, Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe. She died in the early hours of Wednesday 15 August 2018. The Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Trust shared the sad news on social media.
It is with a profound sense of loss and deep sadness that we inform the public that Mrs. Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe, the 91 years old widow of Robert Sobukwe, has transcended into the realm of Ancestors in the early hours of this morning,15 August. May her soul Rise In Power (RIP) pic.twitter.com/9eX7DPhtMO
— Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Trust (@Sobukwe_Trust) August 15, 2018
South Africans have shared an outpouring of tributes, messages of support and condolences for the life of the struggle icon.
The Steve Biko Foundation is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of 91yrs old struggle stalwart, Mama Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe. We extend deepest condolences to her family, friends and colleagues in the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC) of Azania. May her soul Rise In Peace (RIP). pic.twitter.com/uIP4DhYEbY
— SteveBikoFoundation (@BikoFoundation) August 15, 2018
It is with an enormous sense of guilt & regret that I learnt the news of the death of Mama Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe. Another icon whose value we only seem to realise now that she is no more. Lala ngoxolo Mama ✋? pic.twitter.com/oZFQrBPGUg
— Sakina Kamwendo (@SakinaKamwendo) August 15, 2018
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We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of liberation struggle stalwart, Mama Zondeni Sobukwe, affectionately known as “The mother of Azania” who has sadly passed on. She was a part of the generation of heroines who held the torch of liberation high during our darkest hour pic.twitter.com/KZRdValwX1
— Min. Nathi Mthethwa (@NathiMthethwaSA) August 15, 2018
#RIPMamaSobukwe #Izwelethu – please tell Baba Mangaliso Robert Sobukwe that we shall be expropriating land without compensation for equal redistribution in South Africa. pic.twitter.com/MopiaA9mpg
— Mbuyiseni Ndlozi (@MbuyiseniNdlozi) August 15, 2018
#RIPMAMASOBUKWE you and your families commitment to the people of this land will forever be etched in our collective memory! Rest revolutionary mother of Azania, izwe Lethu! ✋?iAfrika! Mayibuye✋?We will continue to fight for the land! pic.twitter.com/XYYsL8JPZu
— KingTha (@thandiswamazwai) August 15, 2018
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Poet extraordinaire Don Mattera dedicated a short poem to the Mother of Azania Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe – The Afrikan Queen#RIPMamaSobukwe
?Moziah Sipuye pic.twitter.com/KQ2hicZq9s
— KatlehoMK ?? (@KatlehoMK) August 15, 2018
#MamaSobukwe remain one of the greatest revolutionaries of South Africa liberation struggle,Her heroism was next to mine . An epitome of service,suffering and sacrifice. It’s SAD we didn’t celebrate her when she was alive but to some of us she remains special ?#RIPMamaSobukwe pic.twitter.com/FupFP1UaEI
— bWeef_ZA : #BlackWomenEconomicEmancipation (@bWeef_ZA) August 15, 2018
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A fallen spear releases sorrow and regret into the air, leaves questions like quivering arrows in a pregnant bow. The greatest injustice is to leave it lying there, without an heiress to pick it up and point the way to the promised land. Her spirit lives in us #RIPMamaSobukwe
— Iman Rappetti (@imanrappetti) August 15, 2018
ANC STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF MAMA ZONDENI VERONICA SOBUKWE #RIPMamaSobukwe pic.twitter.com/rbVOMICbXV
— African National Congress (@MYANC) August 15, 2018
It is with deep sadness that we wake up to the news of the passing of revolutionary human rights activist and anti-apartheid struggle stalwart Mam Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe.
Lala ngoxolo Qhawekazi#RIPMamaSobukwe pic.twitter.com/VpQSFDdc4b— Ayanda Dlodlo (@MinAyandaDlodlo) August 15, 2018
#RIPMamaSobukwe
Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe “the
Mother of Azania” your contribution to the liberation struggle will never be forgotten. Your life embodied what it means to serve, suffer and sacrifice for the people of Azania. Azania must Belong to us once again. Izwe Lethu ✋? pic.twitter.com/c9qXV4m43q— KatlehoMK ?? (@KatlehoMK) August 15, 2018
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#RIPMamaSobukwe, tell ntate Robert Sobukwe we are taking our land back from the Dutch gangsters #Izwelethu pic.twitter.com/xuKlzAv6bL
— Azania Afrika (@SAYoungLion) August 15, 2018
Let the passing of Mama Veronica Sobukwe remind us of her bravery and challenging the oppressive regime when Robert Sobukwe was imprisoned for fighting oppression. Let us remember Zondeni Sobukwe as the champion of Azania
Rest in peace Mama Sobukwe.
Izwe lethu #RIPMAMASOBUKWE pic.twitter.com/dJAIAfOGdJ— Phethani (@phethani4) August 15, 2018