By Zuko Komisa
The nation has woken up to the sad news that struggle stalwart Mama Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe passed on in the early hours of this morning. Mam Sobukwe was the wife of the founder of The Pan Africanist Party (PAC) Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe.

Born on July 27, 1927, in Hlobane, KwaZulu-Natal. Zondeni Veronica Sobukwe was lovingly known as the “Mother of Azania”. As a health practitioner and an activist she was awarded the Order of Luthuli earlier this year, 40 years after the death of Robert Sobukwe.
Mam Sobukwe lived a life that symbolised the strength of women in the struggle for emancipation. She appeared before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) on May 12, 1997 in the search for answers about the cause of Robert Sobukwe’s death.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent his condolences to the struggle hero saying:
“The loss – in Women’s Month – of Mama Sobukwe is a sad loss to the Sobukwe family, foundation and our nation at large. We have lost a heroine of resistance and a fighter for the freedom of all South Africans, who continued her activism into our democratic dispensation. We will always remember and honor her extraordinary contribution.”

She passed away at the age of 91, and is survived by her four children Miliswa, Dinilesizwe, Dalinyebo, and Dedanizizwe.
Lala Ngoxolo Qhawe lama qhawe.



